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Paulv8

Member Since: 09 Jun 2013
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 616

1989 Defender 90 V8 Petrol CSW Alpine White

Alko tow ball... Oh and 13 pin electrics

Anybody using an alko ball on a 110? I am about to buy a caravan with an Alko hitch and have been told to fit an alko ball.

Also need recommendations or comment on converting the 7 pin electrics to 13 pin. Does anybody run both side by side as or work trailers are 7 pin and would rather avoid a adapter. V8 90...WIP

6th May 2017 4:28pm

gilarion

Member Since: 05 Dec 2013
Location: Wales
Posts: 5084

2007 Defender 90 Other CSW Trident Green

Alko hitches have a longer neck than standard Tow Balls and will be no problem fitted to a 110. However never get any grease on the Alko tow ball if an Alko hitch is fitted to the caravan otherwise you will ruin the stabiliser parts fitted inside the hitch head.

Nothing wrong with 7 pin to 13 pin adaptors they work really well and are the easiest and less costly option. For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at..

http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1

6th May 2017 4:46pm

JustFX

Member Since: 10 Nov 2016
Location: Mendip Hills
Posts: 190

2000 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Coniston Green

seeing as they sell Dixion Bate stuff on their own website I would take it that standard ones are ok

http://www.al-ko.com/shop/uk_vt/products/t...pment.html

Though reading their own FAQ you need to have a clean (no grease), unpainted ball. It depending on how well used your current one is it maybe worth replacing to be safe.

6th May 2017 4:55pm

davew

Member Since: 02 Jan 2012
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 888

1990 Defender 90 V8 Petrol PU Auto Rioja Red

Re: Alko tow ball... Oh and 13 pin electrics

Paulv8 wrote:
Also need recommendations or comment on converting the 7 pin electrics to 13 pin. Does anybody run both side by side as or work trailers are 7 pin and would rather avoid a adapter.

There's no reason why you couldn't run both although the adaptors are pretty good, especially the all in one versions rather than the fly lead versions. Your best bet is to convert to 13 pin on the vehicle though as it's a MUCH more secure fitting and less prone to corrosion issues.

You can run 13 pin with the same wires as a 7 pin if you don't want to run the extra wires for fridge, charging and so on.

I've just finished converting all 4 of my vehicles to 13 pin sockets and still tow the occasional 7 pin trailer or caravan. I've converted my own trailers to 13 pin too. http://www.yorkshireoffroadclub.net/

6th May 2017 4:57pm

gilarion

Member Since: 05 Dec 2013
Location: Wales
Posts: 5084

JustFX wrote:
seeing as they sell Dixion Bate stuff on their own website I would take it that standard ones are ok

A standard Towball will not fit a Alko hitch head the Alko hitch requires a longer knecked ball . Though an Alko ball will fit all hitch heads.

For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at..

http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1

6th May 2017 5:36pm

blackwolf

Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16858

2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey

JustFX wrote:
seeing as they sell Dixion Bate stuff on their own website I would take it that standard ones are ok

http://www.al-ko.com/shop/uk_vt/products/t...pment.html

That'll be because Al-Ko not long ago took over Bradley/Dixon Bate.

6th May 2017 5:41pm

JustFX

Member Since: 10 Nov 2016
Location: Mendip Hills
Posts: 190

I just re-read the website. Seems the extra neck is to allow for articulation of the unit.

Lorry for the confusion caused.

6th May 2017 6:12pm

Paulv8

Member Since: 09 Jun 2013
Location: Milton Keynes
Posts: 616

thanks guys! V8 90...WIP

6th May 2017 7:01pm

Sammyboy

Member Since: 28 Feb 2017
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 121

2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Sumatra Black

Hi Paul
When you buy a new ALKO towball it might be supplied painted black. It is advisable to remove the black paint from the ball with either fine wet and dry or paint remover before use as the paint will clog up the surface of the small brake pads inside your caravans tow-hitch. This will ruin the effectiveness of the stabilisation effects of the hitch. Discovery 4 HSE
Defender 2.2 110 USW XS
Ford Kuga AWD
Discovery 3
Range Rover P38
Discovery - 300 TDI
Discovery - 200TDI

6th May 2017 10:34pm

Rallymental

Member Since: 17 Aug 2015
Location: The Garden of England
Posts: 468

2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Santorini Black

I've towed for years in 'normal' cars without using the alko ball, however when you tow with the defender you'll probably be using an adjustable plate. It's this plate that causes the problem, if you use a standard ball, when you turn a corner you will rip the alko stabiliser head apart as it's too close to the plate. You can pick up an alko "type" ball through one of the eBay company's, I just got a new one for £14.50 inc postage. It's exactly the same as the alko proper.
No problem in using an adaptor for trailer use it's a single piece so no dramas. If it's the other way round; 13 pin on caravan and separates on car then it's a nightmare as the adaptor is a big bulky thing with 3 socket/plugs on. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results.
Solihull, 1948 - "If we paint the chassis, it will last for years"
Solihull, 2015 - "If we paint the chassis.............................

7th May 2017 1:31am

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