Hi, to all fellow Eriba owners!

I've just joined the forum with my Eriba Puck, 1991.

My drawbar, which is tubular all the way through the chassis, seems to be seized. I've taken off the coupling at the front and have been trying to push and pull the drawbar in its sleeve, but no movement. Any ideas on how to try and free it?

Regards, Keir.

Ah. But what's the best way of looking at my messages out and in? Should I start with the forum chat or am I looking for a different button?


Thanks,

Keir

Hi Keir and

Tom and Margaret

Hi and
All the best with your draw bar, but useless ourselves when it comes to technical things on the van!!

Regards Chris and Keith

Hello Keir

Your Al-Ko Pole Hitch is more than likely a 120SR (version B).

When you removed the coupling the overun damper should have sprung forward out of the drawtube - the front end of the damper is held by the bolt which you removed from the rear of the coupling

If you look inside the drawtube you'll see the front end of the damper jammed in the tube. The rear end of the damper is fixed to the drawbar by a horizontally fixed bolt - if you remove this you may find the drawtube will pull forward.

Hi John. Thanks for this.
I removed the coupling and got the damper out but the drawbar stayed firmly stuck inside the outer tubing and won't budge despite extra greasing and use of WD40. It's protruding 100 mm out of the tube, but judging by the extended length of the damper looks like it should be about double that. Any tips to work it loose?
Keir.

Bolt the coupling back onto the drawtube and attach the van to your towcar.

Chock the caravan's wheels and pull the handbrake on as tight as you dare without breaking anything, and see if you can tow the thing out.

(You'll have to devise a way of preventing the front of the van crashing to the ground in the event it works too well)

If successful, don't be tempted to drive too far with half the hitch in tow as it won't have a number plate attached

Thanks, John. I'll sleep on it but looks a good option. Will have a go at it tomorrow.
K.

Just got your number plate, John. Apologies- I had a sense of humour failure yesterday!
K.

Number plate joke I meant to say