Disagree with you Yobarr, I doubt you have used the Alko, I have used both and the new Alko is so much easier to couple as it centres from a much wider error, slides onto the ball very easily. DO35 well and truly overrated IMO, has to be close to spot on alignment to couple without issues, a PITA.
-- Edited by vince56 on Wednesday 17th of January 2024 04:50:22 PM
__________________
"life is too short to spend it with people who suck the happiness out of you"
I currently use the DO35 on my van and find it very good.
When I had my camper trailer and boat I had these (see picture). They were good and did the job perfectly, other than I occasionally had difficulty releasing, that that was more to handler error or the angle of car and boat, it sure.
Its a little different than the one being discussed, but just giving my opinion.
Also a good device, but Im now a DO35 convert.
Really I think most hitches do their intended job well, so it really comes down to what rocks your boat
I had the opportunity of hitching up to the Alko and was impressed with overall ease of coupling procedure.
Staying with 50mm due to towing other 50mm trailers so no need to change hitches or couplings (similar to Ian G).
I assume the Ark Xo brand is similar, however, I prefer the Alko couple/decouple locking procedure.
Whichever way I go, I will post a performance review for others to assess.
-- Edited by Dick0 on Friday 19th of January 2024 11:13:14 AM
G'day Dick0,
I can understand that!
If you do eventually decide to change over, remember our good friend Dave ? He got the McHitch and loved it. I know and have met many that have the McHitch and can't fault them. Unlike Xspurts around here.
Keep Safe out there.
__________________
Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Has anyone replaced their standard 50mm ball coupling with the Alko or Ark brand 50mm swivel coupling?
Any issues in performing the changeover?
Not really, just took a bit longer as the caravan manufacturer had welded a couple of the bolts to the chassis and they were a little short for the change over.
I did see a video clip of someone struggling to couple his van to a tow ball.
He then took a condom and installed it over the ball and then coupling the van was easy.
I assume that it was a lubricated condom.
I did see a video clip of someone struggling to couple his van to a tow ball. He then took a condom and installed it over the ball and then coupling the van was easy. I assume that it was a lubricated condom.
I have been using the plastic bag trick now for over 10 years, best trick ever.
Quietens the tow ball join down, nice and clean.
Possibly loss more and plastic is so cheap.
Non beer drinker but 4XXXX wrappers are my favourite followed closely by frozen chip bags.
As per Dougwe's post, I am one of those who chose to try a McHitch Autoloader on the current van.
Absolutely love it. Best hitch I have ever used and after 8.5 years and 90,000 kms over all sorts of roads I am very definitely a convert.
Easiest hitch to hook up and it has won multiple awards here and overseas plus won a number of hitch tow test comparisons.
One of the few hitch designs that offer a 6000kg model if you need one that large.
Don't believe the BS from the odd naysayer on here who gets fixated on his point of view.
There are other good hitches out there but for me the McHitch is streets ahead.
As per Dougwe's post, I am one of those who chose to try a McHitch Autoloader on the current van. Absolutely love it. Best hitch I have ever used and after 8.5 years and 90,000 kms over all sorts of roads I am very definitely a convert. Easiest hitch to hook up and it has won multiple awards here and overseas plus won a number of hitch tow test comparisons. One of the few hitch designs that offer a 6000kg model if you need one that large. Don't believe the BS from the odd naysayer on here who gets fixated on his point of view. There are other good hitches out there but for me the McHitch is streets ahead.
Hi Greg. There is no dispute tgat the McHitch may suit some people, but only if the van is not heavy and they're not running close on weights. Increased component weight, increased TBO, increased yaw, increased weight on rear axle.
I must say that I'm surprised at your stance, given your wide experienced in setting up vehicles. Cheers
P.S Still I am lugging around a near-new McHitch auto-coupler that is free to anyone happy to pay freight from Kalgoorlie area.
All caravanners that I offer it to laugh and say that they've heard too many bad things about them.
Each to their own, but nothing matches a DO35. Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Wednesday 31st of January 2024 12:03:21 PM
As per Dougwe's post, I am one of those who chose to try a McHitch Autoloader on the current van. Absolutely love it. Best hitch I have ever used and after 8.5 years and 90,000 kms over all sorts of roads I am very definitely a convert. Easiest hitch to hook up and it has won multiple awards here and overseas plus won a number of hitch tow test comparisons. One of the few hitch designs that offer a 6000kg model if you need one that large. Don't believe the BS from the odd naysayer on here who gets fixated on his point of view. There are other good hitches out there but for me the McHitch is streets ahead.
Hi Greg. There is no dispute tgat the McHitch may suit some people, but only if the van is not heavy and they're not running close on weights. Increased component weight, increased TBO, increased yaw, increased weight on rear axle.
I must say that I'm surprised at your stance, given your wide experienced in setting up vehicles. Cheers
P.S Still I am lugging around a near-new McHitch auto-coupler that is free to anyone happy to pay freight from Kalgoorlie area.
All caravanners that I offer it to laugh and say that they've heard too many bad things about them.
Each to their own, but nothing matches a DO35. Cheers
As per Dougwe's post, I am one of those who chose to try a McHitch Autoloader on the current van. Absolutely love it. Best hitch I have ever used and after 8.5 years and 90,000 kms over all sorts of roads I am very definitely a convert. Easiest hitch to hook up and it has won multiple awards here and overseas plus won a number of hitch tow test comparisons. One of the few hitch designs that offer a 6000kg model if you need one that large. Don't believe the BS from the odd naysayer on here who gets fixated on his point of view. There are other good hitches out there but for me the McHitch is streets ahead.
Hi Greg. There is no dispute tgat the McHitch may suit some people, but only if the van is not heavy and they're not running close on weights. Increased component weight, increased TBO, increased yaw, increased weight on rear axle.
I must say that I'm surprised at your stance, given your wide experienced in setting up vehicles. Cheers
P.S Still I am lugging around a near-new McHitch auto-coupler that is free to anyone happy to pay freight from Kalgoorlie area.
All caravanners that I offer it to laugh and say that they've heard too many bad things about them.
Each to their own, but nothing matches a DO35. Cheers
______________________________________________
Only in your opinion.
And then the do35 suits you.
Yes Ralph, this is "only in your (my) opinion", but this opinion is based on my experience with both hitch types, as well as others.
A basic understanding of physics confirms the details I have provided regarding the McHitch's limitations, these being that the van should not be a heavy model, and that the caravanner is not running close on weights.
Down sides, as outlined, are increased component weight, increased TBO, increased yaw, and increased weight on rear axle.
Did you not notice these details?
As I have said, the McHitch is a great bit of gear if you're prepared to either ignore, or work around, the limitations outlined above. Cheers
P.S Still no takers on the example I am carrying around.
It's FREE, but I soon may have to ditch it as it just to heavy to lug around.
Just to set the record straight, my van goes just on 3 tonnes fully laden, is 28' from tip to tail, (21' body length), and is very stable with my McHitch.
I regularly tow at 100kph without any additional issues than you would get with any other hitch on a van that size
All the waffle that this hitch induces all these issues into a rig is just that. Complete and utter bs.
I did say I would take the hitch off your hands Yobarr so you don't get tempted to use it.
I think the postage might be a bit extreme in cost but if you find out a cost we can discuss further.
Just to set the record straight, my van goes just on 3 tonnes fully laden, is 28' from tip to tail, (21' body length), and is very stable with my McHitch. I regularly tow at 100kph without any additional issues than you would get with any other hitch on a van that size All the waffle that this hitch induces all these issues into a rig is just that. Complete and utter bs. I did say I would take the hitch off your hands Yobarr so you don't get tempted to use it. I think the postage might be a bit extreme in cost but if you find out a cost we can discuss further.
Greg, again I will say that I'm puzzled by your stance here.
First up, 3 ton is not a "heavy" van, and 21ft is not overly long.
Secondly, how can you possibly dispute that hanging a 20kg unit off the end of your towbar doesn't increase rear axle weight?
Next, TBO is increased at least 75mm, possibly more, so even MORE weight is applied to car's rear axle.
Increased TBO means increased yaw. Not negotiable.
Gotta go now as starting work, but this will post will maybe make you realise that my assertions are indesputable.
As far as the McHitch goes, I MAY be able to drop it off IF I decide to visit a friend in Toodyay, but I will get a delivery price in the interim.Cheers
If you decide to visit your mate I can pick it up in Toodyay if you let me know where.
My email is clubman20v@hotmail if you want to send me details or a postage price.
If you decide to visit your mate I can pick it up in Toodyay if you let me know where. My email is clubman20v@hotmail if you want to send me details or a postage price.
