Banging when breaking

[paula_374581036]

New to caravanning.. We ahve taken the caravan out a few times and all went well but all of a sudden when breaking we hear a bang when we come to a stop? I read something about the damper????? can anyone advice how to check what the banging is? It is like a thud soon as we come to a stop like the caravan is running in to the car? if you know what I mean?

 

[forestgump]

it suonds like the damper it shuold push in abut of force may be needed and slowly come back out .It should be a smoth motion a good grease up with grease gun can help if not it may be seized .

 

[Damian]

Paula,try pushing the hitch backwards towards the van, see how easy or difficult it is, it should take quite some force to move it. When let go it should slowly extend back to its resting place.

If it moves back easily, and stays there, the damper is faulty and needs changing.

Putting a lot of grease in through the grease nipples will do absolutely nothing to improve the damper as the grease does not go anywhere near the damper, it is contained around the draw tube.

 

[SteveW77]

This can also happen if the caravan brakes need adjusting or if the overun linkage is out of adjustment. In which case the brakes are not slowing the van quickly enough and compressing thew damper fully.

Steve W

 

[paula_374581036]

This can also happen if the caravan brakes need adjusting or if the overun linkage is out of adjustment. In which case the brakes are not slowing the van quickly enough and compressing thew damper fully.

Steve W

Thanks guys will get hubby to check it out tonight, what would happen if it was left?

 

[Gafferbill]

As you say you are new to caravaning perhaps you are braking to heavily!

Some drivers when driving solo have a style that involves braking quite heavily on approach to roundabouts, junctions, etc.

When towing try more anticipation and more gentle braking giving a more progressive slow down.

If the caravan still thumps the car then I would suggest you get your caravans braking system checked out by a professional caravan workshop, especially if your caravan is elderly.