Member Since: 28 Aug 2013
Location: Gower
Posts: 106
Stabiliser with swan neck?
Just bought a caravan without a stabiliser and have been strongly recommended to get one, now I remember years ago when my parents had one they had to have a special ball that came with the stabiliser kit for it to work, iirc it was slightly ovalled to fit into the stabiliser better. Now how does this fair with a detachable tow hitch like on my disco? Can I use it without any problems if I bought a 2nd hand stabiliser?
Thanks
23rd Mar 2014 11:30 pm
Discoed
Member Since: 16 Jun 2010
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 1020
Fit a stabiliser hitch (Alko) about £100 second hand rather than mess about with stabilisers
24th Mar 2014 7:47 am
richuk
Member Since: 27 May 2012
Location: Dorset
Posts: 559
+1 for Alko stabiliser. If you shop around you can pick up one with the hitch lock included. Not cheap, but much neater / easier solution than the old sprung steel bar. Just make sure though that you keep your ball clean , as they rely on small brake pads in the head to grip the tow ball. On that note if you do find a second hand one have a good inspection of these pads as they do break down over time. A replacement set for the main two is in the region of £35.00.Rich
semper in excretia sumus solim profundum variat
24th Mar 2014 8:37 am
JimboTD5
Member Since: 28 Aug 2013
Location: Gower
Posts: 106
Sorry didn't explain myself well, what I meant was one of those alko hitches with the big red handles but when my parents had one they had a special black towball that came with the kit fitted to the car that I was told you needed for the alko to work? This making it not work properly with a standard ball such as my detachable one?
Cheers for the replies
24th Mar 2014 10:14 am
dubbs
Member Since: 18 Apr 2012
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 3626
I have an alko hitch and it works fine on my detachable tow bar.MY15 DIY Black Pack (Better than factory and half the price!)
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24th Mar 2014 11:20 am
maplecottage
Member Since: 01 Feb 2011
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 3171
It will work fine - the 'alternative' tow ball had an extension in height between the ball and the mounting plate (over and above the more traditional one) to accomodate the movement of the Alko hitch, your swan neck already has the ability to deal with this requirement.
24th Mar 2014 11:25 am
dunton10
Member Since: 23 Dec 2006
Location: SUTTON COLDFIELD, WEST MIDS
Posts: 213
as maplecottage has said. The special Alko towball stands prouder of the tow vehicle ie its longer, so as to allow room for the alko stabiliser hitch to secure on the ball and still allow movement between ball and bumber
The balls were painted black to stop them rusting. all paint should be removed before using the alko stabiliser hitch as it will contanimate the friction pads within the hitch. the alko hitch will work fine with the disco removable tow ball as it has plenty of room. never use any grease on the ball and keep it clean with a wipe of meths occasionally or spray brake cleaner. You can also use the westfalia stabiliser hitch. Alkos are red westfalia are blue.Although Alko are probably more popular secondhand.
Do Westfalia make hitches, thought they made Towbars, BPW is the Blue Hitch
24th Mar 2014 6:51 pm
JimboTD5
Member Since: 28 Aug 2013
Location: Gower
Posts: 106
Ok brill thanks guys that's cleared that up! Now off to eBay..........
24th Mar 2014 11:37 pm
bear1009
Member Since: 12 Feb 2013
Location: aberdeen
Posts: 214
Click image to enlarge
Or you could get one of these from towsure for 50 quid for stabilizer and all brackets tinted windows
led sidelights
new fuel pump
disco 3 sticker
4x4 screen unlocked ( thanks bell autos)
bell autos egr blanking kit
halo fog day running lights
ffrr sat nav hack
gvif reverse camera
clear side indicators
alisport intercooler hoses
25th Mar 2014 7:21 pm
bear1009
Member Since: 12 Feb 2013
Location: aberdeen
Posts: 214
the blue ones are called winterhoff hitches tinted windows
led sidelights
new fuel pump
disco 3 sticker
4x4 screen unlocked ( thanks bell autos)
bell autos egr blanking kit
halo fog day running lights
ffrr sat nav hack
gvif reverse camera
clear side indicators
alisport intercooler hoses
25th Mar 2014 7:23 pm
LandRoverAnorak
Member Since: 06 Mar 2014
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1172
As I'm new to these vehicles I've been pouring over the handbook and I noticed a warning on page 190 that says "An equalising or other form of weight distributing hitch should NOT be used with your vehicle." So a blade-type stabiliser shouldn't be used.Darren
"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
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, as they rely on small brake pads in the head to grip the tow ball. On that note if you do find a second hand one have a good inspection of these pads as they do break down over time. A replacement set for the main two is in the region of £35.00.
