Here's a new one to me - but maybe not to the Forum?

On returning from our recent few happy days at a site just west of Perth (Scotland) we could not separate the car and van. It seems they liked to stay joined at the umbilical.

We did all the usual disconnections (including releasing the Alko anti-snake etc), jacked down the jockey wheel - and, yes, UP came the rear of the Audi.

Tried many times, reversed car and van, tried again, jumped up and down in the car boot - but nothing.

I have seen this happen before but at that time the van was higher than the car (on a footpath) and after reversing further to put the car at the same level all was OK.

Admittedly in our case both car and van were on a slight downward slope - but they were sitting in line.

Anyway, I don't really know how they came apart - but eventually they separated with no brute force - it seems the "inner front" edge of the hitch was caught beneath the "inside" of the tow ball (only guessing).

Could this be a sign that the Alko friction pads need replacing? Or are there any other suggestions!

It would be embarassing to arrive on site and not be able to un-hitch

Dave

I've had this happen to me on a few occasions. It has always eventually just cleared itself, as your's did, after a few attempts, but like you, I've never really understood what might be the root cause. As to the pads replacement, I replaced mine a couple of years ago so I'm not sure that could be the cause. It will be interesting to see thoughts of others...

A common cause of this is the Eriba compressing the hitch or stretching it.
The rubber gaiter is a visual clue. The combination needs to be ‘unstressed’ to release easily.

as does the owner !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aha - now we know what to do - thanks to all the suggestions

Eribafolk must be one of the best Forums around - maybe THE best ? Such lovely people - maybe we shall meet somewhere sometime

As I am originally a Devonshire boy living in Fife I am hoping to tour south of the border sometime soon, may spot one or two Eribas

Dave

Zitat

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maybe we shall meet somewhere sometime

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Has the forum had a Scotland meet ?

Well, funny you should say that, but Hymer Owners Group (HOG) had a meet a couple of weeks ago in Fife - mainly motorhomes of course, one Eriba I believe.

But, hey - we have managed to kidnap the original post

Back to topic.

Dave

Dave,

Remember the Randa suggestion only works if you (perhaps) reversed onto a pitch thus compressing the hitch. If (like us) you have a slope where you drive uphill and forwards to a stop then the hitch will be extended so you will need to put the ‘van handbrake in and reverse slightly to release the tension in the hitch.

Either way, having a hitch ‘spring’ that is neither compressed nor stretched will help in the unhitching process

Hmm - yes, it seems that, depending whether the hitch has been extended or compressed. With the van handbrake on, I may have reverse or pull forward respectively - is that the basics?

Next It'll be a hacksaw job

Dave

That seems to be the long and short of it.

Quote: gattim wrote in post #10

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Dave, If (like us) you have a slope where you drive uphill and forwards to a stop then the hitch will be extended so you will need to put the ‘van handbrake in and reverse slightly to release the tension in the hitch.

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