RV FEATURE

Look Mum, no hands! Could a child really secure Al-Ko’ s new 3.5t offroad coupling to the tow pin? In theory, sure. After all, it is just a matter of winding down the jockey wheel. This new coupling, which incorporates Al-Ko’ s‘ Click Lock’ system, is the first‘ hands free’, fully articulating, offroad coupling in Australia. It automatically completes the primary and secondary locking required for ADR compliance. It even has a‘ positive locking indicator’, which pops out of the coupling’ s red head to show that it’ s engaged on the pin. But how easy is it to fit? Is it a DIY job? The answer: more or less. If you have the right tools, including a torque wrench, and are a reasonably handy person, there’ s no reason you couldn’ t do the job yourself. Our office camper – a Goldstream Wing III – came with a V2 DO35 coupling. Now, the DO35 was quite revolutionary when it was released circa 2009, and they remain one of the most popular offroad couplings available. But we wanted to become more familiar with a coupling that is likely to give the DO35 a run for its money.

WORDS: MAX TAYLOR

In most cases, fitting the Al-Ko coupling should be simply a matter of bolting it into place after removing the old coupling. However, because our DO35 had an integrated handbrake, we had to also fit a new Al-Ko handbrake. It’ s reasonably straightforward: the handbrake’ s base plate sits underneath the coupling and uses the same bolts.( If you do need to replace your van’ s handbrake in order to fit the new Al-Ko coupling, it would be worthwhile having it done professionally.) The coupling doesn’ t come with its own bolts; however, the manual specifies the types of bolts to use – and you’ ll need to check with the bolt supplier for the recommended torque setting. This coupling also features a built-in cover that seals the inner workings from the elements( there are no loose parts); it has a low profile of 83mm; and unhitching is simply a matter of pressing down on the red cover while pressing in the positive locking indicator and winding up the jockey wheel.

More information: www. alko. com. au

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