I have just bought a caravan and have noticed creaking from the tow hitch area when I tow it. Seems louder at low speeds (under 10 mph) or that may be because I can't hear it at speed! Any ideas?
tow-bar squeak
- Thread starter Robert_374455577
- Start date
Damian
Moderator
Robert, if it has a older type hitch coupling, without built in hitch stabiliser, then the hitch cup needs greasing.
If it is an Al-Ko or Winterhoff with built in hitch Stabiliser, then the friction pads need cleaning as well as the towball.
Use a fine wet or dry paper to remove all traces of paint or rust from the towball, and clean with brake cleaner.
Use fine wet or dry paper to roughen the friction pads inside the hitch head, and clean with brake cleaner.
Clean the towball every time before you hitch up with brake cleaner.
If it is an Al-Ko or Winterhoff with built in hitch Stabiliser, then the friction pads need cleaning as well as the towball.
Use a fine wet or dry paper to remove all traces of paint or rust from the towball, and clean with brake cleaner.
Use fine wet or dry paper to roughen the friction pads inside the hitch head, and clean with brake cleaner.
Clean the towball every time before you hitch up with brake cleaner.
Have look at the Alko responses here
http://www.al-ko.co.uk/faqs_2.asp?act=detail&product=STABILISER ALL MODELS&problem=Creaking or Groaning noise when towing.
http://www.al-ko.co.uk/faqs_2.asp?act=detail&product=STABILISER ALL MODELS&problem=Creaking or Groaning noise when towing.
Hi, we haed this problem on new car and new caravan (alko stabilizer). After trying everything to avoid the embarassing noise I discovered my towball was the wrong kind. I bought an Alko towball for a few quid and hey presto - no more noise.
Hi Robert
Like you I have experienced a squeak, as opposed to a creak or groan, from my Alko stabiliser. I think I MAY have found the answer. I think the squeak is from the cables where they emerge from under the A frame fairing and are rubbing on the plastic edge.
Every time we went out with the caravan I religiously cleaned the ball and pads. The first part of the journey was OK, but then the squeak started. Convinced that my cleaning was more than adequate I started to look for other causes. Moving the cables by hand seemed to replicate the noise so I put a bit of foam padding around them at the point where they emerge. After doing this we travelled 160 miles with no noise (having also cleaned ball and pads),and have since had two, albeit short, trips when I haven't cleaned anything. So far no more squeak !!! It may be coincidence but I may have found the answer.
Why the squeak used to start after a time I'm not sure but it may be something to do with the cables just 'settling down' and resting on the fairing edge.
If you try this solution I'd be pleased to hear of your, or anyone else's, results.
Regards
John M.
Like you I have experienced a squeak, as opposed to a creak or groan, from my Alko stabiliser. I think I MAY have found the answer. I think the squeak is from the cables where they emerge from under the A frame fairing and are rubbing on the plastic edge.
Every time we went out with the caravan I religiously cleaned the ball and pads. The first part of the journey was OK, but then the squeak started. Convinced that my cleaning was more than adequate I started to look for other causes. Moving the cables by hand seemed to replicate the noise so I put a bit of foam padding around them at the point where they emerge. After doing this we travelled 160 miles with no noise (having also cleaned ball and pads),and have since had two, albeit short, trips when I haven't cleaned anything. So far no more squeak !!! It may be coincidence but I may have found the answer.
Why the squeak used to start after a time I'm not sure but it may be something to do with the cables just 'settling down' and resting on the fairing edge.
If you try this solution I'd be pleased to hear of your, or anyone else's, results.
Regards
John M.
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