Bugsy

Active Member

• Apr 16, 2017

• #1

Anyone with experience of towing a 'van' with an Al-Ko 'friction type' hitch and a Freelander got around the problem of the lever catching on the spare wheel when hitching and unhitching.
Al-Ko do have an alternative handle but it's both expensive and poorly designed. Currently I either remove the spare wheel to hitch up or remove the handle off the hitch until it clears the spare then replace it.

Any advice appreciated, thanks.

 

P

Paulontour

Member

• Apr 16, 2017

• #2

I've fitted a 1 1/2" spacer which extends the reach of the towbar. Never had a problem fitting the alko hitch and never had to remove the spare. I have just changed the caravan and that has the winterhoff hitch, again no problem.

 

Tonyj66

Active Member

• Apr 16, 2017

• #3

+1 above, had to put spacer on my old Freelander tow bar so that mine worked fine, before that i used to twist the hitch slightly until the lever cleared the spare wheel then twisted it upright before pushing all the way down!

 

Bugsy

Active Member

• Apr 17, 2017

• #4

Thanks guys I'll try the spacer mod.

 

fatdisco

Member

• Apr 17, 2017

• #5

Bugsy said:

Thanks guys I'll try the spacer mod.

Click to expand...

Hi.I've also fitted a spacer.Have you tried hooking up at an angle,I find that helps.

 

Bugsy

Active Member

• Apr 17, 2017

• #6

I tried the angle approach but the door hits the jockey wheel. Spacer and a bit of angle I'll try today.

 

Nodge68

Well-Known Member

• Apr 17, 2017

• #7

Don't forget that the FL has a higher tow bar download than a normal car.

 

teddywood1

Well-Known Member

• Apr 17, 2017

• #8

do not for get to buy the extra long bolts when you buy the spacer

 

B

brownie55

Member

• Apr 21, 2017

• #9

I had the same problem and bought a used Alko handle off eBay, its great.
You should also change your towball, for one with an extended neck, as the standard towball is unsafe to use with the alko stabilising hitch. Check it out on the internet.
I hope this bit of info will be of some help to you.