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Repairs, maintenance and accessories � Improving your pride and joy and how to fix things �

ALKO 1300 Stabiliser

in Improving your pride and joy and how to fix things Thu Oct 06, 2016 3:24 pm
by Randa france •

| 13.297 Posts

Although there is a lot of information on here regarding experiences and problems with the ALKO 1300 tow hitch, I've experienced something today that I've not heard of before. It'll probably mean changing the friction pads.

After hitching up the car to the van and turning the handwheel until the ratchet can be felt and heard, the stabiliser lever pushes down with no resistance. I re-connected on a few occasions with the same result.

However, on the journey home and through some very winding roads and in windy conditions, the stabiliser felt as though it was working.

The car and van unhitched and rehitched with no problems. ( I always unwind the handwheel after lifting the lever and give the tow hitch a bit of a sideways wiggle before unhitching).

Any ideas? I'm wondering whether to push the boat out and get a new hitch assembly because the existing one is looking its age with flaking red paint etc.

Randa

1999 Eriba Troll 530 pushing a VW Touran 2L TDi Match

Last edited Sun Jul 09, 2017 12:36 pm | Scroll up

RE: ALKO 1300 Stabiliser

in Improving your pride and joy and how to fix things Thu Oct 06, 2016 5:07 pm
by Frantone (deleted)

Sounds a little strange doesn't it?
I would be inclined to take the friction pads out and see how thick they are and in what condition.

TonyP

Troll gently nudging up against Galaxy.

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Last edited Sun Jul 09, 2017 12:37 pm | Scroll up

RE: ALKO 1300 Stabiliser

in Improving your pride and joy and how to fix things Thu Oct 06, 2016 5:37 pm
by Pepé Le Pew •

| 2.752 Posts

Quote: Randa france wrote in post #1

Any ideas? I'm wondering whether to push the boat out and get a new hitch assembly because the existing one is looking its age with flaking red paint etc.

If it is just the friction pads that need renewing, an hour with a wire brush, a red Hammerite rattle can, a bit of masking tape and a few pages from yesterday's Daily Nork is an awful lot cheaper than a brand new assembly.

.

yy-R56kh

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RE: ALKO 1300 Stabiliser

in Improving your pride and joy and how to fix things Thu Oct 06, 2016 5:43 pm
by hob (deleted)

How to change the pads.

How to: Change the Pads in an AL-KO AKS 1300 STABILISER

Forum moderator
Vauxhall Insignia Sri 1.8 petrol 2015 towing 2006 Triton 430 import

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RE: ALKO 1300 Stabiliser

in Improving your pride and joy and how to fix things Thu Oct 06, 2016 10:56 pm
by hob (deleted)

Quote: Randa france wrote in post #1
Although there is a lot of information on here regarding experiences and problems with the ALKO 1300 tow hitch, I've experienced something today that I've not heard of before. It'll probably mean changing the friction pads.

After hitching up the car to the van and turning the handwheel until the ratchet can be felt and heard, the stabiliser lever pushes down with no resistance. I re-connected on a few occasions with the same result.

However, on the journey home and through some very winding roads and in windy conditions, the stabiliser felt as though it was working.

The car and van unhitched and rehitched with no problems. ( I always unwind the handwheel after lifting the lever and give the tow hitch a bit of a sideways wiggle before unhitching).

Any ideas? I'm wondering whether to push the boat out and get a new hitch assembly because the existing one is looking its age with flaking red paint etc.

Randa

There must be some kind of mark on the hitch that denotes the pads need changing as my service engineer knew they needed doing.

Forum moderator
Vauxhall Insignia Sri 1.8 petrol 2015 towing 2006 Triton 430 import

RE: ALKO 1300 Stabiliser

in Improving your pride and joy and how to fix things Thu Oct 06, 2016 11:23 pm
by Randa france •

| 13.297 Posts

Yes, there are marks, see this:- Problem with the stabiliser. Suggestions?

and that's what's strange. When we towed to Cardigan 10 days ago, all seemed normal. When we towed from Cardigan on Monday, there was resistance on the lever but not great, then this morning there was non. It went sailing beyond the marks until it bottomed out yet I'm convinced that the stabiliser was working. I forgot to do the necessary with it a couple of years ago and within a couple of miles it let me know that something was different. None of that today however and the tow home was silky smooth.

Randa

1999 Eriba Troll 530 pushing a VW Touran 2L TDi Match

Last edited Sun Jul 09, 2017 12:37 pm | Scroll up

RE: ALKO 1300 Stabiliser

in Improving your pride and joy and how to fix things Fri Oct 07, 2016 12:04 am
by hob (deleted)

I know money is tight but would suggest a full service by a good mobile service engieer

Forum moderator
Vauxhall Insignia Sri 1.8 petrol 2015 towing 2006 Triton 430 import

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RE: ALKO 1300 Stabiliser

in Improving your pride and joy and how to fix things Fri Oct 07, 2016 8:12 am
by Deeps (deleted)

And if you like pretty pictures, Roger, here's a short video that clearly shows how to change the pads. It's in German but never-the-less very easy to follow.

It might be worth my while pointing out a couple of things that are stated in the video which might not be clearly understood and that is (A) the spare parts packet comes with 4 cir-clips although 2 are only needed (the other two are for the hamfisted who may lose two in the grass somewhere), and (B) before inserting the new pads, or reinserting the old ones of course, the barrel should be lightly oiled to allow for free movement. Careful no oil on the surface of the pads lol.
If the current ones are in good condition cleaning them up is very easy - a squirt with brake cleaner and a light rub over with fine grade emery paper. Repeat until the glaze has been removed.

https://youtu.be/ViobegCpMPg

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Last edited Fri Oct 07, 2016 8:12 am | Scroll up

RE: ALKO 1300 Stabiliser

in Improving your pride and joy and how to fix things Fri Oct 07, 2016 10:36 am
by Randa france •

| 13.297 Posts

Quote: hob wrote in post #7
I know money is tight but would suggest a full service by a good mobile service engieer

Yes you're right Nev. Not including car mileage, the Eriba has done in excess of 12,000 miles since it last had a running gear service and this year particularly, it's taken a hammering with all those Norwegian roads.

Randa

1999 Eriba Troll 530 pushing a VW Touran 2L TDi Match

Last edited Sun Jul 09, 2017 12:37 pm | Scroll up