Hi All,

I had a towbar fitted to my 2005 Freelander for our much loved Caravan when I first hooked up the ALKO hitch handle catches on the Spare wheel. I dont want to remove the spare wheel when I hitch up :cool: so does anybody know if there is a Towbar extension to go on the freelander?

Cheers Mark
 
or for those liking piccies

product_images0_0NEW4x4handle.jpg
 
U don't necessarily need the Alko retro-fit stabiliser handle - in fact, it could make the situation worse !!

I have a 2001 TD4 fitted with the Al-Ko ball (part number 1385201) - the caravan has an Al-Ko hitch (I think it's a 2004, but not sure - there is one currently on E-bay, item number 251281559464). If you have the same type of hitch, the trick is to NOT line the car up with the 'van in a straight line, but have the car pointing North-NorthWest to the caravan - the little bit of off-set thus acheived makes all the difference for me. I have bought one of the retro-fit thingies, but find that it moves the handle into the centre-line of the hitch, whereas my original handle is off-set to the LEFT of the spare wheel.

Of course, I suppose that tyre size will also have an effect - I'm running 215/75-15 Grabber AT's , larger radius tyres will further reduce the available space
 
I have the combine one with ball and pin. but if your hitch is catching the tyre my tow bar also has an adjustment so I could lower it by about a inch.
 
I have a new Alko towball that I bought for the Disco but it didn't suit the towbar:eek:. Yours for a small token of appreciation if you want it;)
 
i put a 1" spacer in and problem solved, but you must you must use alko towball at all time when using alko hitch, i've seen what it can do for those who choose not too!
 
If you don't use an Alko ball with an Alko hitch, you run the risk of it disengaging. I strongly suggest you switch to one.

(Might also invalidate your insurance).
 
Hmmm wonder if they would give me the clearance i need to use my tow bar bike rack
And would it cause problems with parking sensors if the towball was further out
 
The caravan came off the towball and made a proper mess of the back of the car and wrote a 3 year old caravan off as it slid down the M5 on it's side for 100yds (not me)

The alko towballs are taller so allows alko hitch to seat correctly

I'm pretty sure my tow ball is a proper Alko one, but I'll be checking now before I tow the caravan again
 
The caravan came off the towball and made a proper mess of the back of the car and wrote a 3 year old caravan off as it slid down the M5 on it's side for 100yds (not me)

The alko towballs are taller so allows alko hitch to seat correctly
my friend had the very same problem and his insurance refused to pay out , and then he brought another caravan as he does like caravanning ,2 months later and it got nicked, insurance did just about pay out, now he is looking forward to going away next week in his new one, he has 2 wheel locks on it now the type that go through the wheel and lock it to the chassie
 
I have this when I use my freelander to tow my caravan. I get round it by twisting the stabiliser head to one side (clockwise as you look at front of caravan) so the stabiliser lever clears spare wheel. A bit of careful jockey wheel action as I lower the hitch onto the ball, and it seats about right.

A sharp tug of the level to vertical and the whole thing drops on a treat. Then close the hitch lock level, engage the stabiliser arm and away you go.

A word to the wise, on some versions, the stabiliser lever arm and the handbrake can interfere with each other, make sure they are not touching.

It is a bit awkward, but after a couple of goes you should have the knack.

Good Luck
 
I bought a alko 4x4 handle on ebay for 16.00 and 5p&p but am starting to think as I have been away camping so have not been able to read the comments! do you think I made the right decision?
 

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