EC Standards also specify that stabilisers should be able to perform a degree of articulation as follows:

Horizontally = 60° to right and left

Vertically = 10° up or down

These balls should NOT be used with an AL-KO stabiliser. Use of this type of ball could result in the vehicles becoming un-hitched, your stabiliser being damaged and/or a very serious accident happening.

Swan neck towballs are different in that their necks are long and tapered and give plenty of clearance for the stabiliser. They come in different shapes, sizes and styles.

With swan necks the measurement to look for is the clearance from the centre of the towball to the nearest point of contact with the vehicle. This should be a minimum of 65mm (AKS 1300), 67mm (AKS2004), 68mm(AKS3004), 60mm (AKS2700).

Towballs should have any paint or protective coating removed, right back to the bare metal, before they are used. Failure to do this could result in contamination of the friction pads. This could result in a stabiliser's damping effect being affected.

Due to friction when in use, any bits of paint or coating remaining on the ball can form into tiny, almost ball-bearing like, deposits that will score or pit the ball. Replacement towballs for this reason are not covered under AL-KO warranty.

No form of grease should be used on the ball with the AL-KO stabiliser. Drivers with diesel fuelled cars should ensure their towballs are cleaned regularly as diesel fumes can leave a slightly greasy deposit on them.

Before each journey AL-KO recommends that you lightly rub the ball with some fine grade emery cloth (100-120grade), and also the friction pads. This will keep any rust deposits or contaminates to a minimum and will optimize your stabilisers' performance.