Hi all
Have said I'll tow a caravan for relatives in a few weeks so been checking on a few things first as it's the first caravan I've towed (only a flatbed with my Tomcat on it previously).
Seems the van has a stabilizing hitch as been told not to grease the ball, assuming an alko as seems most common.
Query I now have is knowing what towball I have fitted (flange type), it came with the Freelander and it looks like it has been used for a van before (n and s electrics) with a stabilizer as it is dry (some minor surface rust i plan to clean up)

Checked some dimensions and I think it is ok for the alko type hitch - neck under the ball is 17mm deep and diameter of some 29mm, ball is mounted on a spacer to keep clear of the bumper - but is there a way to check 100%?
Thanks
Andrew

Perfect question for Chicken George to answer.  FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

Ok, maybe I'll just burn the caravan now and save the hassle then....

As they say in these parts burn a Caravan in Lancashire and keep Yorkshire tidy.  FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

Smallmankey wrote:

Ok, maybe I'll just burn the caravan now and save the hassle then....

exactly At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

My ALKHO hitch has roughly those dimensions but critically, the ball is undercut at the lower edge. Also there is approximately 46mm from below the ball to the bracket below. I can post a pic if you wish.

Bob 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Hi Bob
That would be appreciated if you could, thank you.
Had a quick check on mine, doesn't seem to have the 46mm you mention.
I'll try adding a photo of mine when I can too.
Thanks
Andrew

Hope this iPad photo comes out alright!


The 46mm is from the edge at bottom of 50mm ball to flat top of bracket casting. 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Thanks that's great, the photo shows exactly what I wanted to check.
Unfortionately mine doesn't match that, suspect I may need to change it to ensure no issues, especially as we are to be taking ownership of the van after this last use of it by the current owners.

You can buy an ALKHO ball hitch at most caravan and towing suppliers. Don't grease it! You can use it for other trailers but thoroughly degrease it before you attach the caravan again!

Bob 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Thank you - the advice is much appreciated.

Make sure the stabilising pads are in good condition, I nearly lost my van when the pads disintegrated and the van went into a snake over the three lanes of the M56, luckily nobody was around me as I veered across all three lanes trying to control the van. which I managed to do in the end, much to my Wifes relief. The van had been serviced but the pads not changed.

Alan Freelander 2 TD4 GS 2011 Manual Satorini Black (Current)
Freelander TD4 S 2004 Silver Manual (Gone)
Landrover Series 3 Manual Long Wheel Base Safari (Gone)
Landrover series 2A Manual Short Wheel Base (Gone)
Numerous different vehicles inbetween

Thanks all for the feedback - to help against any issues I have now bought a new extended tow ball and have cleaned the paint from it ready to fit (with new nuts and bolts, with a tow ball cover to protect it as the topping off.

when i bought FL2.3 i thought it was a Alko ball, towed many a mile without issue, it was only when i fitted the MAxxRaxx bike carrier plate to the hitch, and then hitched the caravan on i noticed it hit.

Turned out the LR ball was not a Alko one and upon swapping it, it then didnt hit when turning Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

should just make everything standard..... NATO hitch works for me