Winterhof Hitch

[David_374240562]

I have a new Caravan fitted with a Winterhof Hitch, should it have a long neck towball as required by my old van's Alko Hitch or should I use and can I use an ordinary type towball.

 

[BigAl1]

The Winterhof coupling can be used with a standard towball but it is OK to use the Alko type.

 

[BigAl1]

David

May I ask you a question while we are talking Winterhof couplings?

Is there much play in the sliding part of your coupling assembly, up & down and side to side?

Mine is less than 3 years old and has 6mm side to side and up & down free play. It make a clonking noise when the van is towed over humps etc.

Dealers tell me that it is normal but I'm not happy with it given that the very similar Alko unit has no play at all.

 

[Rod_5041370]

My Winterhof does not have any play.

Is this play between the couping head and the drawbar shaft or is it the actual drawbar shaft to "A" frame?

 

[rayc]

Big Al, It appears to me that you have the incorrect, or no, shim fitted between the coupling and the 'coupling rod - sorry can't think of correct name ' on the van.

The hitch is supplied to be fitted to vans / trailers with 'coupling rods' of differing diameters and aprox 6 shims of varying thickness are supplied. The correct one is fitted over the coupling and then the winterhoff over that. It must be a tight fit otherwise you get the results you indicated. You can tighten up the two bolts to your hearts content but a few miles towing and the free play will, become evident again. With the correct shim fitted it is a very solid coupling with no play.

 

[rayc]

Big Al, It appears to me that you have the incorrect, or no, shim fitted between the coupling and the 'coupling rod - sorry can't think of correct name ' on the van.

The hitch is supplied to be fitted to vans / trailers with 'coupling rods' of differing diameters and aprox 6 shims of varying thickness are supplied. The correct one is fitted over the coupling and then the winterhoff over that. It must be a tight fit otherwise you get the results you indicated. You can tighten up the two bolts to your hearts content but a few miles towing and the free play will, become evident again. With the correct shim fitted it is a very solid coupling with no play.

Big Al, go to www.bpw.co.uk/PDFs/Winterhoff%20Spare%20Parts.pdf There is a photo 2nd row down on left which shows the complete kit including 4 shims of varying thickness. Ray

 

[rayc]

Big Al, It appears to me that you have the incorrect, or no, shim fitted between the coupling and the 'coupling rod - sorry can't think of correct name ' on the van.

The hitch is supplied to be fitted to vans / trailers with 'coupling rods' of differing diameters and aprox 6 shims of varying thickness are supplied. The correct one is fitted over the coupling and then the winterhoff over that. It must be a tight fit otherwise you get the results you indicated. You can tighten up the two bolts to your hearts content but a few miles towing and the free play will, become evident again. With the correct shim fitted it is a very solid coupling with no play.

Isee from Rod's posting that the correct name for the 'coupling rod' is the 'Draw bar'.

 

[BigAl1]

Thanks for your advise. As Rod asks the play is where the drawbar fits in the tube within the A frame housing.

If it is greased, the play is packed out BUT as soon as soon as the van is towed the grease is pushed into the rubber bellow and the play and noise come back.

Thanks

Al

PS Sorry that I didn't respond to you yesterday (Saturday) but I couldn't connect to this forum.....Not sure why.

 

[Rod_5041370]

Big Al,

The problem would seem to lie with the drawbar assembly on the front your "A" frame and not with the Winterhof.....don't be fobbed off, it can only get worse.

 

[Ron_374241133]

Re Winterhoff 3000 Hitch.

I have been informed that replacement friction pads are