Changing the Alko Front & Rear Friction Pads

[@benbeard5141]

Very helpful just replaced my pads after watching your very helpful video clip .

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Thanks, Ben. I am hoping to video it again when I change the pads next and hope to add a bit of close-up footage to give more context to the vlog. Thanks for watching, and happy camping. James

[@waynecompton7612]

Good morning James, thank you for the video! Take care and stay safe 👍😎🇬🇧.

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Thanks Wayne you to Happy Camping. James

[@johndn9238]

Thanks for a very interesting video. I'm in the process of replacing the pads on my hitch, also after an unexplained breakage of the top pad. The first evidence of a problem was that the hitch didn't want to separate from the tow ball. Once I managed to separate it, the broken top pad fell out. I don't recall any event that might have led to it being damaged, but the van was pre-owned when we acquired it recently. I suspect it might have been cracked for a while, so I'll be visually inspecting the pads more regularly now for signs of cracking/wear. You mentioned accessing the rear pad through the hole in the front of the hitch once the top pad is removed, which I think is much easier. As you said, you just need a Torx screwdriver rather than a socket wrench. Thanks again for the video.

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Hi, thanks for watching and commenting. Ibam, glad the vlog was of help. I am thinking of doing one again with some close-up footage inside the hitch as I think that will help. Happy Camping. James

[@stuartekins5897]

Hi John, mine went on our 3-year old van just a couple of weeks after the service. I think it's probably just "one of those things". Planning to do the repair tomorrow - bookmarked this vid as a sanity check!

[@busterboy7505]

Thanks James, a really helpful video, I would have probably got some new pads, but then wouldn’t have the right tools for the job, but now I know what I need, thanks again 👍.

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Hi Buster Boy, Thanks for watching and commenting, I am really glad it has helped. Happy Camping James

[@busterboy7505]

@@CaravanEscapades101 Been to the storage yard today and checked the pads side pads all glazed over, Graham the caravan vlogger had a great tip, put the pad in a drill and whilst it’s spinning apply some wet and dry paper with a spray of brake cleaner, they come up a treat, then I cleaned the front and back pads whilst they were still in the hitch, thanks again for your video James. 👍.

[@CaravanEscapades101]

@@busterboy7505 Hi, great tip from The Caravan Vlogger, I watched him do it on his French Trip. Glad you got sorted. James

[@keithalangrundy8009]

Hi James Very good video, very informative and nice to see real time repairs. Thank you.

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Thanks Keith very much appreciated. Happy Camping James

[@clivegoss5734]

Thanks a lot I’ll be sure and get a spare set from now on. I’m new to caravaning so I’ve still got a lot to learn. Thanks again for all your great info. By the way I sat down and watched all the French episodes last night and thoroughly enjoyed them. Cheers 👍

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Hi Clive, thanks for watching and sorry you had to endure the the complete series for French Vlogs 😁. I am glad we have managed to be of some help. Fur sure it is worth carrying a spare set of Friction Pads, even if it is an old set. I think we are always learning when it comes to Caravaning, The great thing is there are plenty of people in the community willing to help. Thanks again for watching and happy camping. James

[@robswiseways5697]

Hi James, Interesting seeing the pad set being changed. I’ve had creaking from the hitch on a few occasions. I spoke to Alko at the NEC show in 2019 and they said use brake cleaner to remove the glaze from the pads so I did and it worked. I also purchased a new set of side pads but haven’t had the need to change them as yet. Thanks for the helpful video. Cheers, Rob

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Thanks Rob, the break Cleaner is a good tip, I do carry a small can in the car and always give it a quick spray in the Hitch & on the ball before connection. Thanks for watching & Happy Camping, James

[@trevcaravaner6566]

Hello James, Good idea to carry a spare set of pads. We are in France 🇫🇷 at the moment on our way South just to let you know know the door magnet pad you sent me is working fantastic no more pulling and tugging the door to close it now . Trevor & Karen 😁😎👍

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Thanks Trev for letting me know about the Magnet Disc. Very envious about you in France we will be back there next year. Have fun and Happy Camping. James

[@Stickymicky25]

Just the video I needed, after being rescued from a racing event and having the caravan towed out by a tractor, the front pad cracked on us too... :-(

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Hi Michael, thanks for letting me know, Its great that I was able to help. I think its worth getting a spare pair of friction pads and carrying them in the Caravan should it happen again. I was lucky this time that there was a dealer not to far away, Thanks for watching and Happy Camping, James

[@paulpaul5689]

Good video you made it easy to follow, thanks

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Thank You Glad it helped

[@paulandsarahcaravanlife]

Hi James great video mate as usual. Hope I never have to do that job. Small fingers are a must anyway glad you got it done. Happy Camping bud 😎👍 Cheers Paul and Sarah

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Thanks Paul. Trouble is I made it look fiddly it's not to bad and if I had swiveled the hitch around it would have been easier lol. Thanks for watching. James

[@kenperrin8582]

Hi James great video very informative as usual buying a spare set I think is a good idea 👍 😀

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Thanks Ken. Yes trouble is by the time I have bought all the spares I think I will need I will probably have another caravan. Lol. Happy Camping James

[@chrishalstead4405]

I would have learned more if the camera had shown what you were actually doing.

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Agrees this was in the early stage of Vloghing and happened while I was away. The Vlog could have been a lot better and I intend to revisit it in the future and do a more Visual one. Happy Camping James

[@ianbrown3183]

Just come across this video. Wonder if you could tell me the socket set you use as it looks very comprehensive.

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Hi, Thanks for watching, I got it from Aldi or Lidl I can't remember which one, but thought it would be an ideal little kit for the Caravan

[@hackettdavid]

If they break while away and you can't get the parts then can you still tow without these pads?

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Its Not Advisable, as they stabiliser function will not work as it should. I always carry a spare set now as I had to go out and buy a set when it happened.

[@zx7rp2red]

Thanks for the video and it's the information I am looking for. Your video was good and I now know it's a possible DIY, though if I may make a constructive suggestion, that you either change the angle of the video during the installation or take some photos during and slide them in the editing of the video to further demonstrate where each pad goes and how. Just trying to help to provide feedback for future videos. Thanks

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Hi thanks for commenting and glad it helps. I agree I should have added more visuals in to give those watching more information. Very much appreciated thanks again and happy Camping. James

[@markjohnson8162]

Do they all have front & rear pads?

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Yes Front & Rear as well as Side Pads.

[@markjohnson8162]

@@CaravanEscapades101 thank you

[@ronaldyardley8965]

Hi, Just Bought a New Coachman And The Alco Pads Are Creeking Away Already, Wouldent Have Expected This From A new Caravan, Tow Ball is Clean and Paint Free, Also A couple of Other little Niggles So Will Mention This When We Take It In..

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Hi thanks for commenting that's not good to hear, Have you checked inside the Tow Hitch as the pads might have been contaminated before you got the caravan, Moving it around the Dealers Etc. You can clean them using brake cleaner etc. The Caravan Vlogger also did a good vlog on cleaning the pads up. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4XQnZ16ZZ2CpdU hope that helps. James

[@ronaldyardley8965]

@@CaravanEscapades101 Thanks James, Brake Cleaner Sounds Good, will give it a Go..👍

[@caravanningmacs8009]

Thanks James - really handy and timely vlog. Been reading a lot of FB posts from caravanners with new/recent vans experiencing friction pad failures. Makes me wonder about the materials they're making them from or how long some of these pads have been lying around prior to installation. Useful and helpful vid. Cheers. George and Trish CaravanningMacs

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Thank you glad it helped and thanks for commenting, Happy Camping James

[@Andrew-hc3xs]

Great vid mate I will be doing this job on mine as soo. As I collect it, and what is the hitch lock you use I have to get one soon

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Hi Andrew, Thank you, if you can get a long screwdriver to go through the hole at the front of the hitch you can do up the rear pad a lot easier. Thanks again for watching. James

[@markjohnson8162]

The issue I have with my one is my toe ball is shinny and when towing it’s creaky and noisy more so when warm . I’ve just changed the side ones should I try it or replace the front & rear ones ?

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Before you change the front and rear ones, try spraying some break cleaner or similar in the tow hitch to clean them, they may have become contaminated. Also your Tow ball does need to be clean and shiny but not super smooth, As this could cause the pads to slip and creak. The Ball does need a slight Key (Roughness) to is. If you are using a Wet & Dry to clean it, maybe use a slightly courser grit sandpaper to add a bit of a keyway. You could also remove the pads from your town hitch and give them a light sand this will help as well.

[@stewartmacpherson3230]

Interesting video but isn't the access for the rear fixing meant to be via the hole for the front pad? . Probably make it a lot easier. Rear pad first, then front pads

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Hi Stewart, You are correct and I should have referenced this in the Vlog, As I was away when I needed to replace them, I only had a small socket set and with the screwdriver attachment on it would not fit through the hole, I also think that I could have rotated the hitch to face upwards as well which probably would have made it easier to. Thanks for watching and commenting, Happy Camping, James

[@stewartmacpherson3230]

It's a job I need to do so your video was most helpful

[@CaravanEscapades101]

@@stewartmacpherson3230 glad I could help. James

[@rogerg3321]

Surely you had some scissors in your van and 😁

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Lol 😆 yes we had at least 3 pairs in the draw, I just never thought to get them. Thanks for watching and Happy Camping. James

[@rogerg3321]

@@CaravanEscapades101 same to you joking aside my side pads need replacing can you recommend cheap suppliers tia

[@CaravanEscapades101]

@@rogerg3321 Hi, to be fair they all seem to be around the same price. Amazon or leisure shop direct online. Hope that helps. James

[@victotinix]

i can't see what you are doing !

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Hi, Thanks for commenting, this was a vlog from the early days and I was trying to do this while I was away. I plan to revisit this vlog and do a more visual step-by-step version.

[@victotinix]

@@CaravanEscapades101 ok thank you

[@petercartledge5088]

Can’t see what you’re doing. Camera is in the wrong place. Video useless.

[@CaravanEscapades101]

Hello Peter, thank you for your comments, agree the camera could be better positioned. When, I come to change them next time, I will do a new vlog and make it clearer. Thanks for watching and happy camping., James

[@TheAjc999]

Thought it was decent enough, it's not like he was changing the gearbox on a F1 car. Always someone who's a hater

[@CaravanEscapades101]

@@TheAjc999 thank you Adrian.