ust towed my van for the first time, couple of Qs

[chris_374320239]

Hi all, i have just towed my caravan for the first time, as when we bought it we did not have a suitable towcar the vendor delivered it to our house a few weeks ago.
We now have a towcar sorted out so i moved it today to the storage place, it was a bit nerve racking getting it set up but it was ok really.
I just wanted to ask a few Qs though. Firstly when i pull away there is a slight knock that sounds like its from around the towball area as if its taking up slack, everything it tight and correctly fitted and the guy at the storage said its normal, is it?
Also the anti snake bar creaks a fair bit, is this normal (it came with the van and looks fairly old)?
Finally i was surprised how much you can feel the weight of the van pushing and pulling when driving along at normal speeds is this just something you get used to? (towing at 75%) (it is also very windy here today?)

Thanks Chris

 

[plotter]

Welcome to the world of caravanning Chris. You should not have any knocking when pulling away it sounds likt the damper on the hitch is not working properly and is moving in and out too freely,it may just need a good greasing.
As for the stabaliser I assume from what you say it is a blade type (like a leaf spring) if so the creak is caused by a build up of dust and dirt on the discs these are in effect made of brake lining material and they get contaminated over time,you can take them off and clean them with sandpaper but better still replace them they are not too dear.
The pushing ,puilling bit is a bit more of a worry as it could just be that you are not used to the feel of a van behind or the van is too heavy for the car.

 

[chris_374320239]

Thanks for the reply, the knocking does feel like the damper i will go up to the storage and give it the once over this week. The stabiliser is a blade type and is pretty grubby so ill also give that an overhaul (didnt know you could clean the discs).

Think the push pull is just me not being used to towing really. The van is 1250mtplm and the car is a Passat estate weighing 1700kg so its just under 75%. Could it also be caused by the tow hitch damper being to loose??

Thanks again for the welcome and advice, Chris

 

[plotter]

If you are still unsure come back on as I am sure someone will be able to assist

 

[JohnGriffiths]

As I'm still relatively new to towing I can still remember quite clearly my first tow, and feeling the push, pull and pitching of having a van on the back. Its normal and you will get used to it, I don't really notice it now.

 

[Damian]

As has been said, there should not be a knocking as you pull away, but you will be extending the drawbar which may feel like a pull backwards until you get used to it.
To test the hitch damper, push the hitch inwards towards the van, let it go and watch to see if it returns to its resting position slowly and smoothly.
If it does, it is fine.
If it does not return, it is faulty and needs replacing.
Putting more grease in the grease nipples wil have absolutely no effect on the damper whatsoever.
The grease only lubricates the drawtube, which, depending when the van was last serviced, may need doing.

As you indicate that you moved the van from home to storage I am assuming that you have not loaded the van?
Even if you have, did you check the noseweight?
The pitching is usually an indictaion of incorrect loading and is quite common on empty vans.

 

[plotter]

I agree in part regarding the grease however if the ram is dry and unlubricated it will not slide in and out freely resulting in a sudden movement when the van is pulled

 

[Damian]

There is no "Ram" of any kind in a hitch.
There is a drawtube which fits inside the hitch body, and inside that is the Damper.
It is impossible to lubricate the damper once fitted, and grease should never come into contact with it anyway as it would destroy the seals.

The only grease points are for the drawtube to enable it to slide in the body and the other grease point is for the handbrake fulcrum

 

[forestgump]

the shunting of the van may be the nose wht put some load on the front

 

[JohnGriffiths]

Chris,
I'm still convinced it is normal to be able to feel the van on the back, it would be strange if something weighing 75% of the mass of the car did not affect it. Do check your nose weight properly however. (Don't just add random weight up front as some might suggests!!).

 

[Damian]

You are quite right, you should feel the van on the back, but it should be well behaved which is where correct loading comes in to play.

 

[andy72]

Hi,

Im new to towing also and recently did our first trip but up to a grand total of 3 tows now hehe.

Mines an older 1991 5 berth swift pulled with an Audi A3 sportback, an 82% match. I can also feel the van on the back mostly when you go over bumps. Ive got one of the blade stablisers too and mines creaks also but not too bad.

I also have a slight delay when setting off before i feel the van move, almost like its taking up slack in a coupling. Only happens when the van has pressed against the tow hitch ie braking from a normal pace to a standstill, then setting off again. Doesnt happen if im crawling in traffic. It doesnt bang or knock, just a feeling of a mild clunk when i set off. I thought this was normal given the way the hitch damper thing works????? (hoping i dont need to fork out for some work to my hitch thingy)

 

[Damian]

Andy, your hitch is working as it should.
The drawbar will pull out some as you drive away, with a feeling of tugging on the car.

 

[chris_374320239]

Hi all, have now checked the hitch damper and its is working perfectly, also checked van brakes by jacking and using handbrake(just in case one is sticking), and checked all bolts on car and van etc are secure and all looks well (van was serviced less than 6 months ago)?
Any other ideas on what the knock might be or am i just worrying about nothing?
Taking caravan away for a short local trip next week and am just a bit nervous as im travelling with our two babies in the car, think i will pick up van from storage at weekend and go for a drive to get used to towing in general without the kids in the car just to put my mind at rest that all is ok!
Thanks for your replies, chris