Hi
Just having a tow bar fitted to tow a new Triton 430. Am thinking of getting a fixed swan neck with single 13 pin electrics. Does that sound suitable? As you can tell I've not done this before!
All the best

I did not go for a swan neck on my Discovery Sport as having measured the height of the towball it was a couple of inches too high which would have meant that our van (Triton 430) would not sit level. The swan neck towbar is non adjustable. Depending on your tow car I would look at a flanged, four hole towbar so that you get a choice of two towball postions. You also have the oportunity to fit the correct towball.....an Alko towball with extended neck.
Dave

Or its blue.

I asked in my tow centre about this removing of paint when I had it fitted on my previous car and they said that no need to do this. With wear it would eventually wear but to try to remove it you would need a grinder to clear it. Its not caused any problems when towing.

Quote: Taffy wrote in post #8

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I asked in my tow centre about this removing of paint when I had it fitted on my previous car and they said that no need to do this. With wear it would eventually wear but to try to remove it you would need a grinder to clear it. Its not caused any problems when towing.

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So does it need to be lightly rubbed or do I need to change the colour as it is black.?

Quote: Taffy wrote in post #10

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So does it need to be lightly rubbed or do I need to change the colour as it is black.?

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Mainly a ring around the middle of the ball will do no need to do the flat bit on top or the lower area just where the pads will grip.

Take all the paint off the ball with either emery cloth or 120 grit sandpaper. No need to be gentle. It's only a thin coat.
Once it is clean and shiny use a bit of kitchen towel wet with meths to clean off thoroughly.
Wrap with clingfilm - other clingy plastic food coverings are available - and replace ball cover till it is needed.
I carry an old/used but clean washing up sponge with the green scouring back. Don't use a new one as they drop green bits. That is fine for taking off any slight surface rusting during use/on site etc.
Don't forget that the hitch is sliding down onto the ball, the van goes up and down as well as side to side and it is (IMVHO) a sensible approach to just get rid of all the paint rather than leaving some behind which may flake off/scratch off or in some way contaminate the pads in the future.

With emery cloth you can have it back to bare metal in 5 min.
Dave

Don't you just love the advice from the experts (at the tow center). I listen to everybody then go away and have a think and make up my own mind. How could the experts not think that the paint on a tow ball would not contaminate the friction devices of an Alko hitch?

Pretty much the same as the camp site assistant that was moving a caravan out of storage with a small tractor. I asked him what he did about caravans with friction hitch stabilisers in general and contamination of grease from towing older ball hitches........he didn't have a clue what I was talking about!