Thump when braking

[Caravanrevisited]

I tow n Abbey GTS 416 with a 2.2D Mercedes. I know I am on the weight limit.

Often when I brake, there is an audible “thump”. I don’t recall this from previous caravans.

Is this normal or ought I be concerned? The van was serviced recently, and the noise predated tge service.

Thanks

 

[Jcloughie]

Could be overrun damper a bit tired and not picked up in the service.

John

 

[Beardy]

Over run damper would be my first guess too. Easy one to test. With the caravan held on the hand brake you should be able to push the hitch and compress the damper. It takes a lot of effort and will move very slowly. When released, the hitch should extend very slowly on its own.

 

[Martin_E]

Badly adjusted brakes can cause this as well

 

[otherclive]

I had a thump develop when towing with an early Mondeo estate. The fixings of the towbar to the car underbody, one had loosened.

 

[Hutch]

I had a thump develop when towing with an early Mondeo estate. The fixings of the towbar to the car underbody, one had loosened.

Had the same on a 2008 Santa Fe always worth looking at basics.

 

[ProfJohnL]

The fact is you shouldn't hear or feel a distinct thump when you brake. You need to get both the caravans braking and your tow bar checked out . The braking should be progressive and smooth. If you can feel a thump, that is transfering quite a lot of shock loading to the tow bar and it can loosen some fixing bolts and cause damage to the underside of the car.