hitch cover repair

[izzy]

The flimsy hitch cover on my Elddis has developed many cracks, I have removed it for repair but am at a loss for what to coat the underside to strengthen it. I have heard that fibreglass matting will not stick to it very well.
Has anyone else had to deal with this problem?

 

[otherclive]

When I had damage to my fairing I used FibreFix repair patches on the inside. It stick and bonds to ABS extremely wellalmost a weld joint.

FiberFix

FiberFix is a US-based company that markets household and professional repair products including the FiberFix Repair Wrap, Heat Wrap, Rigid Patch, and more. FiberFix products are targeted to do-it-yourself handymen and general consumer market. By using cutting-edge technology and innovation, …...

www.toolstation.com

I then used Plast Aid to fill and blend from the outside which I then smoothed and although it was a reasonable colour match I finished it off with the Fiat paint that matches Swift colour..

 

[izzy]

I have got some Plast Aid for filling the bigger repairs on the outside, I used this for another job and have some left (weird stuff though)
After rummaging in strategic stocks in the garage I have found a full roll of 60mm x 0.1mm sticky backed aluminium tape, proper industrial stuff. I have no idea of its origin but it looks good enough to put on the underside of the cracks after I have had a go at them with the soldering iron.
I have checked out FiberFix and I am saving that for plan B
Thanks a lot

 

[Lutz]

I’m surprised at the length some people go to keep their hitch cover in good order. In over 30 years of caravanning I’ve made do without one and even if I had one they are probably cheaper to replace than repair.

 

[otherclive]

Yes Plast Aid is weird but when we first bought our last caravan I noticed some damage on the bottom cornice of the bathroom sink unit. All the bits were there but the previous owner had not made a very good job of repairing the damage. So I removed those sections that were loose and cleaned them up I put them back in place and used white Milliput from behind for strength. When that had set I then used Plast Aid from the front. It enabled me to build up different depth layers to match the original contours. After sanding down etc and polishing using acrylic polish I then painted the affected area with white appliance enamel.

There are some great repair materials about and the internet has made it easier to source them too.

Hope the repair goes well.

 

[otherclive]

I’m surprised at the length some people go to keep their hitch cover in good order. In over 30 years of caravanning I’ve made do without one and even if I had one they are probably cheaper to replace than repair.

No way, over £120 for a new one, and nearly as much from a breaker. I probably spent £20 on repairing mine. Although if you appoint a specialist repair technician your figures may work.

 

[Beehpee]

If you are referring to the cover that you slip over the brake and hook up lead you can buy one for less than £10 from loads of places, so I am wondering what you are wanting to repair.

BP

 

[otherclive]

If you are referring to the cover that you slip over the brake and hook up lead you can buy one for less than £10 from loads of places, so I am wondering what you are wanting to repair.

BP

The a frame fairing.

 

[Beehpee]

I wondered if it was the A frame that needed repairing but it’s not called the hitch cover.

BP

 

[otherclive]

I wondered if it was the A frame that needed repairing but it’s not called the hitch cover.

BP

The OP is a new member, and I had no problem understanding what it was that he was planning to repair, so no need to be dogmatic.

 

[Buckman]

The OP is a new member, and I had no problem understanding what it was that he was planning to repair, so no need to be dogmatic.

Seems Lutz may have got the wrong end of the stick.

 

[izzy]

Apologies, should have said the A frame fairing and not the hitch cover

 

[otherclive]

Apologies, should have said the A frame fairing and not the hitch cover

No problem I think most understood what you were discussing. Hope the repairs go well.

 

[Lutz]

Seems Lutz may have got the wrong end of the stick.

Yes, I did, because an A-frame fairing doesn't really cover the hitch.

 

[audiorob]

Had a couple of small splits one by the front fixing and one by the jockey wheel clamp and did a patch repair with white duct tape inside and out, but I think these micro thin abs panels are very prone to failure, although later versions with step areas are presumably stouter.

 

[izzy]

got everything ready for repair but I will have to put job on hold whilst I have my gall bladder removed.
I will post results (of fairing not gall bladder)

 

[Bluetonic]

got everything ready for repair but I will have to put job on hold whilst I have my gall bladder removed.
I will post results (of fairing not gall bladder)

Have fun with the gall bladder removal, had mine removed 4 years ago. Painful recovery but glad to get rid of it

 

[Hutch]

Have fun with the gall bladder removal, had mine removed 4 years ago. Painful recovery but glad to get rid of it

I had mine removed 13th January, 2020 and recovery was no problem really, Keyhole Surgery, maybe but not sure what City the keys were for. Better off without it.

 

[PTA]

I had mine removed 13th January, 2020 and recovery was no problem really, Keyhole Surgery, maybe but not sure what City the keys were for. Better off without it.

Ditto. No problem at all.

 

[izzy]

Repaired and refitted fairing, In the end I decided to fit patches of 1mm plastic sheeting to the underside using ABS cement as I could, with a little heat shape the patches to the contours that I needed.
I also found that 2 of the 6 blind rivets that hold it on had broken and I think that was one of the reasons for too much flexing and inevitable cracking, it is now secured with 6 galvanised bolts and plastic washers.
I used Plast Aid to fill over the missing piece at the front on top of the patch underneath if you follow what I mean.
A bit of white touch up paint on the cracks and it all looks as good as new.
(replacement fairing £295 and not even an original part)

It all went very well which is more than I can say about my gall bladder op.
But all OK now

 

[Robert_374373903]

How I do not know but on returning home from holyday found a chunk out of the cover presumably by being hit by the jocky wheel. Repaired it at a cost of£ 25 materials. Looked good . Arrived at campsite this week and found it damaged again. Somehow the handle is turning and resulting in hitting thr road when on bumps etc

 

[izzy]

No wish to sound patronising but do you make sure that the wheel is wound tight into the slots on the stem before you lift and lock the wheel?

 

[Hutch]

No wish to sound patronising but do you make sure that the wheel is wound tight into the slots on the stem before you lift and lock the wheel?

I did meet someone a few years ago, who stated they had been caravanning for 15 year + but didn' t know the jockey wheel could be raised / lowered out of the way by using the small clamping handle.

 

[Robert_374373903]

Yes I do make sure that it is well locked, what I do now is put a elastic strap from handle down to a frame.

 

[maikleoliver]

All the bits were there but the previous owner had not made a very good job of repairing the damage. So I removed those sections that were loose and cleaned Speed Test them up I put them back in place and used white Milliput from behind for strength.