Technical data

Maintenance
ALKO RUNNING GEAR
Coupling Head
The ball couplings are entirely automatic in
operation and designed for one hand
operation to suit the 50mm international ball
recommended by the British Standards
Institution, National Caravan Council and the
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Each type has provision for an anti- theft
device (available as an extra) consisting of
brass insert, complete with 2 keys. The
locked button will prevent movement of the
handle, therefore making it possible to lock
the coupling either “on” or “off” the towing
ball.
Operation - Type AK10/2
Lift locking trigger, and lift handle upward
and forward. Place the unlocked coupling
onto the towing ball and with the slightest
downward pressure it will lock onto the ball
automatically. Ensure locking trigger returns
to its free position before commencing to
tow.
Operation - Type AK 13/2
Lift handle upward and forward, this
disengages the security tooth. Place the
unlocked coupling onto the towing ball and
with the slightest downward pressure it will
lock onto the ball automatically. The security
tooth should again be fully engaged.
Uncoupling
Having lowered the jockey wheel to the
ground, operate the handle as previously
described. Lift the coupling clear of the
towing ball either manually or by operating
the telescopic jockey wheel.
IMPORTANT
If the nose of the caravan is lifted manually
the locking trigger must be engaged first and
the handle lifted forward. Failure to do this
will cause the nose-weight to be transmitted
through the locking button and damage will
occur.
Forward Braking
In the free position, with the handbrake fully
forward in the OFF position, the drawshaft of
the overrun device is fully extended and the
shoes are clear of the drum.
As the towing vehicle brakes, or starts to
drive downhill, the drawshaft of the overrrun
device is depressed toward the unit being
towed. This action imparts linear motion to
the main shaft of the overrunning device
which is transmitted via the overrun lever,
brake rod and Bowden cable to the
expanding clutch. This mechanism forces
the leading brake shoe and, by reaction, the
trailing shoe outwards into contact with the
drum.
Friction between the brake shoes and the
drum creates a tendency for both shoes and
the expanding clutch to move in the
direction of forward rotation until they abut
against the adjuster box. This ensures that
both remain in the braking position.
Reversing
When the towing vehicle reverses, the
drawshaft is pushed backward, moving the
overruning device through its full travel. This
movement is transmitted in the normal
manner to the expanding clutch.
The clutch forces both shoes into contact
with the drum. Initial friction between these
creates a tendency for the shoes and
expanding clutch to move in the direction of
wheel rotation i.e. reverse. This movement
imparts pressure to the spring- loaded auto-
reverse lever, causing it to collapse. Thus,
friction between the shoes and drum is
almost eliminated, allowing the trailer to
reverse as one with the towing vehicle.
Slight forward movement of the chassis will
allow the coil spring to reassert itself,
enabling the reverse lever to recover to its
normal position. Normal braking is then
immediately available.
Parking
The AL-KO parking brake system
incorporates a patented device for added
safety when parking on a reverse-sloping
site or steep hill.
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