Before you start you should make sure you have the right hardware for the job. Having good quality bolts, nuts and washers that you know the torque specs for is essential. Ensure you’re on a flat surface and have a set of wheel-chocks to stop your trailer moving. Watch the video below and take some notes from our step-by-step guide to fitting your AL-KO Off-Road Pin Coupling.
STEP 1
As you will be disconnecting your handbrake, always ensure your caravan or camper is on level ground and secured from rolling away. Use a good set of chocks to prevent the trailer from moving.
STEP 2
Once you have removed your old coupling and handbrake backing plate, make sure the surface is clean from dust and debris that might prevent a flush fit of your handbrake backing plate to the trailer.
STEP 3
Align your new Off-Road Pin Coupling with the backing plate and drop your bolts through making sure there is enough thread exposed to work with your nuts.
STEP 4 – CRITICAL
Make sure you know in advance what the torque settings are for the bolts you are using. Markings on the bolts relate to the torque they require to work at their best and there are many resources online to check settings. Always pair your bolts with the correct nuts and washers and if in doubt, head to a retailer for advice.
STEP 5
Now is the time to reattach your handbrake and also a good moment to reset the tension using the cable adjuster.
STEP 6
It is important to fill the two grease nipples found on the side of the coupling. Clean off the excess and cover the nipples with the dust boots.
STEP 7
Fitting the pin to your tow-tongue is the same as fitting a ball coupling. Make sure the surfaces are clean and that the spring washer goes under the tongue, between the nut and the tongue.
STEP 8
Now everything is installed, check the coupling connects to the pin cleanly and easily. The positive latch indicator will pop green signifying you are good to go.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Tim van Duyl
Coming from marine publishing Tim now oversees Caravan World and Trade-a-Boat for the Adventures Group as their Senior Editor. With experience garnered from travelling the breadth and width of his home country New Zealand in all manner of ways, his mission is to see all Australia has to offer. Having already sampled Cape York, Murray-Sunset National Park, Wilsons Promontory and the bulk of Victoria’s West, he has plans to add to the small parts of WA and NT already seen. When not on the road you can find Tim passing time at lakes around Australia or in the high country camping with his close friends and family with the Murrindindi a popular spot.