I’ve just picked up my latest Freelander 2 with a dealer fit fixed height towbar fitted. First job when I arrived home was to swap the towball for the ALKO type (Don’t know about anyone else but I left the spacer block fitted when I changed to the ALKO towball).
Just a word of caution, on my last Freelander (MY 2007) the LR supplied bolts were changed as well as they were not quite long enough (didn’t leave enough thread showing when the nut / bolts were tightened). The ALKO towball mounting (in other words the bit around the mounting bolt holes) is of somewhat thicker material than on the LR supplied towball. On my new towbar the supplied bolts are fractionally longer than the old one so I could reuse them (left about two threads showing behind the nuts).
Nice to see LR fitting an attachment point for the breakaway cable when they designed the towbar.

Simple statement.
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If your towbar is a flange type AND you intend to tow a modern build caravan that has an Alko friction hitch then you must discard the original two bolt flange towball and replace with a new Alko towball which has a longer fore aft dimension and a longer neck height.
When towing for the first time you must clean off the manufacturers paint. Thereafter carry a sheet of brown scotchbrite to clean off any surface rust before hitching up next time.
If you tow any other trailer with a standard hitch meantimes you MUST grease the ball before use AND the degrease the ball before the next Alko hitch up.
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If your towbar is a swan neck in either fixed or detachable type it will take an Alko hitch. The same statement applies as above regarding when to grease or degrease.
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The Alko friction hitch just needs more clearance all around the ball because of its size.
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If you leave grease on the ball and hitch up an Alko you will ruin the friction gripping pads in the coupling head because the grease blinds the grip abrasive surface. Replacement friction pads are available.
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Hope this helps; kind regards from Fred
. 2010GS Auto ex Celeb, Santorini Black, 2011 facelift , spoiler, spats, mudflaps, LED footwell lamps, Witter detach,
Other cars:-
1958 & 1959 Austin J40 Pedal Cars under restoration (I make many J40 parts)
If you have an Austin J40 or Pathfinder Pedal Car looking for a new home pls PM me.
2009 Meriva

Thanks everyone. I have now ordered the Alko extended height tow ball.

I really appreciate all your help and the replies may have possibly avoided an accident.