Checking Alko Friction pads

[@PoshcatsCamping]

Good advice Martin and easy to follow. It’s really important for new tow balls to be removed of all paint, glue or grease before dropping into the hitch. So many people just go ahead and hitch up without this preparation and damage is inevitably caused to the pads. It’s a little time consuming but definitely worth it. Trev 👍🏻🙂

[@TheCaravanNut]

Thanks Trev, yes my tow ball needs cleaning up. An easy job to do to help towing safety. Hope you & yours are well. Cheers Martin 👍

[@kevandrews4699]

Hi Martin nice to c u bak up the storage yard again doing what u enjoy doing very useful video u would b surprise how many people would lend up going to a dealer to get the friction pads change and don't realise how easy it to change them yourself that's why it's good to have people like yourself to do videos and start a KZbin channel to help people out that just starting up caravaning weather beginner or people who have been doing it for years it all help so nice one Martin Ho by the way had to laugh about the tap good one cheers mate

[@TheCaravanNut]

Hi Kev, thanks for your kind words. Was great to get back doing some caravanning jobs. That tap made me laugh. Thanks for comments and support. Martin 👍

[@paulpringle8263]

Very clearly explained Martin.thanks for sharing.

[@TheCaravanNut]

Thanks for watching Paul. Cheers Martin 😊

[@gavinstreetie1473]

Great film and you make it look so easy , well done that means everyone can give a go even me !

[@TheCaravanNut]

Cheers Gavin, it’s an easy job, I wonder how much a dealer would charge for doing it? thanks for watching, Martin 👍

[@lizleonard3681]

Looks easy enough Martin must check ours glad you got your tap to move 👏 👍

[@TheCaravanNut]

Yes nice easy job, the tap made me laugh when it moved!! Thanks for comments and support. Martin 👍

[@stewchesman5259]

Nice video Martin. Simple job but so important. Had to laugh at the tap ;))

[@TheCaravanNut]

Thanks Stew, the tap made me laugh 😂 cheers, Martin 👍

[@Neaskemenna68]

Thank you. Really easy to follow!

[@TheCaravanNut]

Thanks for watching

[@MrDoohdaah]

Hi there, thanks for the video. never had an Alko stabilizer before, now I know what to do. ACE. Just got back into caravanning after a 12 year break and used a leaf spring device before.

[@TheCaravanNut]

Welcome back to caravanning, Yes the Alko stabiliser is a great bit of kit. Much easier than the leaf spring. Enjoy your caravan, thanks for watching 😊

[@Caravannery]

Great video really useful, I will know what to look out for in future should this present an issue for us. Thanks Martin

[@TheCaravanNut]

Thanks, easy job for Jodi to do! Looking forward to your next vlog. Cheers Martin 👍

[@Caravannery]

The Caravan Nut ha ha i think she would have to do it - smaller hands than me ha ha -

[@JC-zi8qc]

Hi Martin, Very useful video, just one point. Using a large screwdriver can damage the small O ring that holds the pad in place. I use a small diameter punch to avoid this, also putting a very small amount of silicone grease on the O ring helps protect it from damage when removing the pads. Keep the videos coming!, I really enjoy them.

[@TheCaravanNut]

Great advice there, I knew the screwdriver wasn’t best thing to use being pointed at the end. I use silicone spay on most seals and also brake cleaner on the pads. Thanks for the feedback on the channel, Martin

[@janetmcallister3429]

How do you put silicone grease on the o ring before removal ?

[@tonytotten408]

Good vid brake disk cleaner and some wet dry take shean off before re fitting 🤔👍

[@DesmondsDonders]

Good video. Still playing catch up after a longer Donder :-)

[@TheCaravanNut]

Cheers, I’m always playing catch-up. 👍

[@HowardB54]

Thanks for another great video Martin Think I need to do this as noticed one hell of a grinding sound when very low speed manoeuvring- thought it was car at first but think I need new pads Good work 👍🏽

[@TheCaravanNut]

Hi Howard, thanks for the feedback. I always lift the stabiliser off when manoeuvring, less wear and easier to move. Thanks for watching. Martin 👍

[@adriandavie952]

how to knacker your screwdriver head. Get a `flat headed nail punch`....great videos...

[@TheCaravanNut]

Yeah I know 🤔🤣

[@colintumber1698]

hi martin just watched you vid on changing your alko friction pads great, now had to change mine last year and noticed exactly what holds them in because one got damaged when a changed mine and its just a small o ring , now as I said I damaged one when I removed one of the pads it got cut in half and without the o ring they don't stay in, replacing the o ring is easy but ive seen a few vids on the subject and this aspect of the job is not mentioned hope this is of interest to you many thank colin

[@TheCaravanNut]

Hi Colin, didn't think about the O rings. Might have to check them out, my hitch started groaning last time we went out. Thanks for the info, cheers, Martin.

[@paulgray7274]

Good help for changing pads do you know why the coupling handle wont stay up

[@TheCaravanNut]

Hi Paul, an easy job to do. I think the hitch handle has a retainer to hold it up but think mine is slightly worn. Still attaches ok and is safe. I always check the hitch by raising the car when attached with the jockey wheel. Cheers 😊

[@paulgray7274]

Thanks for that I'm happy it's still safe

[@Youtube_deleted_my_favourites]

can you do one on fitting AL-KO Friction Lining Kit AKS 3004

[@TheCaravanNut]

Hi, thanks for your comments. If you look up ‘Here we tow’ they have recently done that job. It’s a different hitch to mine. Cheers 😊

[@Phil-1969]

Hello Martin I’m new to the caravan world and your channel is helping me , the question is when I picked the van up and hitched it up when I pushed the bar down the little green button didn’t pop up , today I had a few hours looking over the van I took the friction pads out and noticed they are new but have 2 metal shims on each side as well , am I right in thinking that the shims should not be fitted as the pads are new that’s why that green button is not popping up, I will fart around with it until it’s right lol Cheers Phil

[@TheCaravanNut]

Hi Phil, welcome to caravanning! If the pads are new it shouldn’t need the shims in, the handle should have some resistance when putting it down which shows good contact with the pads. Cheers, Martin

[@CrocodylusCarcharias]

Hi Martin I have the same van as you year and model is there a certain pads I need to get. Thanks Keith

[@TheCaravanNut]

Hi Keith, just get the ones for the AKS 2004/3004 stabiliser. Cheers 😊

[@greggcarpenter792]

Hi guys the wife and I have just got a 2011 Bailey unicorn Barcelona . Can any one tell me if I can get a front travel cover I only have a runner on one side thank you

[@TheCaravanNut]

Yes you can, Protec covers do one and Specialised covers do one. You have to put press stud limpets on the bone awning rail side. I have done a vlog on it, just check through the vlogs, cheers

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Good to know Martin Thanks Phil👍😀

[@TheCaravanNut]

Cheers Phil 👍

[@azza1793]

They looked very glazed to me and at least needed a sanding with wet n dry paper

[@TheCaravanNut]

yes they did, they have now been done 🙂

[@BlindLemonMeringue]

Is it OK to remove the shims if you cant get the hitch to move, or is that unsafe

[@TheCaravanNut]

Not sure what you mean by 'can't get the hitch to move' From what I remember they can be removed with they handle up or down. Cheers

[@BlindLemonMeringue]

@@TheCaravanNut Hi, sorry if I was not clear. I will put my query another way. I have a new car and tow ball. Tow ballfits into Alko unit but I cant get the stabaliser arm to lock in position. Investigation found shims on friction pads. Is it OK to remove these, cheers

[@TheCaravanNut]

Ah right, if it’s too tight to put the stabiliser on yes you can remove the shims. As the pads become worn you can put the shims back in. I use break cleaner spray on them and the tow ball to get rid of any contaminants. Hope that helps, cheers

[@BlindLemonMeringue]

@@TheCaravanNut many thanks

[@davenordon143]

Cheers for this advice Martin. I have a question. Is this something that should be picked up on the caravan service???? I've just had my Bailey serviced a couple of weeks ago but just assumed he would check everything. But if it's that simple as in your video to do it might just be worth checking out myself. Thanks again for this informative video 👍

[@TheCaravanNut]

Some service centres may check them but it’s worth checking yourself. They should check the torque on the hitch but pads may be missed. I was surprised what a difference it made putting new pads in. Quite an easy and not time consuming job. Thanks for comments and watching, Martin

[@mailbox1016]

I take it you need to check the front & rear pads also

[@TheCaravanNut]

Yes, best to check them as well

[@CaravanningwiththeCoxs]

Nice video Mate! Is that a new storage yard?

[@TheCaravanNut]

Cheers Oliver. No, storage has been made bigger and in new bay, well spotted though! Martin 👍

[@muddymarvellous]

Hi Martin, As far as I'm aware after 9 years of ownership no dealer has ever changed my pads..I get s crunchy vibration noise when towing at low speed and the ground is a little uneven...Do you get the same kind of noise

[@TheCaravanNut]

Hi, yes that’s similar to what I heard when I last changed them, it’s worth taking them out to have a check. Not sure they get checked on service! Thanks for comments and watching, Martin 👍

[@muddymarvellous]

@@TheCaravanNut ..Yes I don't think they get checked i agree. This morning I called Alko. They technical department was amazingly helpful, even though they say they don't take calls from Joe Public...only dealers.. Given the noise they advised to properly clean the Tow Ball wet n dry, also wet n dry the Stabilisers. and thoroughly clean inside the hitch etc.. Have done so this afternoon..vans not going out till November.. Weather permitting.. will report in due course watch this space..

[@TheCaravanNut]

Nice to hear they were helpful, let me know how you get on. cheers Martin 👍

[@muddymarvellous]

Hi Martin, well here's the update on my grinding noise when towing, as you know I've spoke to Alko and following there advice I have cleaned the friction pads and the tow ball with wet n dry maticulously I thoroughly cleaned with clean white cloth. Upon venturing out this weekend....well what a difference .. totally quiet not s whisper..after 5 miles noise cam back but higher pitch. So for return journey cleaned with white cloth thoroughly again..getting a little rusty mark off, guess what 25 miles home totally quiet...you couldn't hear the caravan at all... so the moral of the story has to be if you can get everything immaculately clean, then your away.. Ps Andrew Morley happened to be 3 pitches away from me, all weekend, trialing his borrowed Bailey Phoenix now wasn't that interesting...

[@TheCaravanNut]

Glad you have got it sorted, you can use brake cleaner on the tow ball and hitch to clean them up now and again. I use it when I’ve not been out in the van for a while. Thanks for the update, I bet the Phoenix looked good. Cheers Martin 👍

[@crazybearmotorcycletouring]

Hi Martin Coincidentally this is one of the things that's been brought up on my service last week. Is it really as easy as your video shows ? How long should they last ?

[@TheCaravanNut]

Yes they are really easy to change. As for how long they last, depends how much you tow. Our last set lasted a couple of years, regular cleaning of the hitch head and tow ball will help prolong the life. Hope that helps, cheers, Martin

[@crazybearmotorcycletouring]

@@TheCaravanNut Thx Martin, think I'll do it myself as was quoted £56 off the storage facility who also do servicing

[@davidtebbitt5537]

What a terrible way to treat a screwdriver...perhaps try a drift....save our screwdrivers...

[@TheCaravanNut]

Hi David, I can assure you that no screwdrivers were hurt in the making of this vlog. Thanks for watching 👍