Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums
Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
   Caravans and Caravanning -  Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Alko hitchlock creaking Post Reply Post New Topic
Persondebs3380
30/5/2010 at 6:48pm
 Location: Cumbria
 Outfit: elddis whisp View debs3380's Profile View Profile   Reply to debs3380 Reply   Quote debs3380 Quote  
Joined: 16/4/2006

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   132
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Don't know if anyone can help but just bought a new caravan
which is fitted with a alko hitchlock I had to get the towball changed
on my car to use this, when I towed caravan for the first time tonight
it was creaking a lot when I was turning the corner and when I stopped there was a smell of burning. Just wondered if this was normal or is something wrong. Thanks please help


PersonEddie12
30/5/2010 at 7:02pm
 Location: Northern Ireland
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 570 & Santa Fe View Eddie12's Profile View Profile   Reply to Eddie12 Reply   Quote Eddie12 Quote  
Joined: 28/3/2006

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   818
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Did you remove ALL paint from the tow-ball and clean it well before you hitched up? It sounds as though you may have a wee bit of contamination on the pads.


Persondebs3380
30/5/2010 at 7:10pm
 Location: Cumbria
 Outfit: elddis whisp View debs3380's Profile View Profile   Reply to debs3380 Reply   Quote debs3380 Quote  
Joined: 16/4/2006

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   132
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
The ball came with paint on it is it not supposed to have any of this on


PersonEddie12
30/5/2010 at 7:18pm
 Location: Northern Ireland
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 570 & Santa Fe View Eddie12's Profile View Profile   Reply to Eddie12 Reply   Quote Eddie12 Quote  
Joined: 28/3/2006

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   818
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Definitely not. The ball must be cleaned right down to the bare metal. To do this, use fine emery-paper (it takes time and effort, but has to be done), and then clean if off thoroughly with Brake Cleaner (Halfords sell it in a spray can).
You also need to do this with the stabiliser pads, since they will most definitely be contaminated now - probably easier done if you remove them.


PersonEddie12
30/5/2010 at 8:18pm
 Location: Northern Ireland
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 570 & Santa Fe View Eddie12's Profile View Profile   Reply to Eddie12 Reply   Quote Eddie12 Quote  
Joined: 28/3/2006

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   818
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Quote: Originally posted by debs3380 on 30/5/2010
The ball came with paint on it is it not supposed to have any of this on

Sorry, just to clarify - a good number of towballs do come painted, and this is quite normal, but the paint MUST be removed if it's being used with a stabiliser hitch.


Advertisement



Personarkaig
04/6/2010 at 7:50pm
 Location: Livingston Scotland
 Outfit: Hartford XL 2008 + Lunar Zenith 5 2006 View arkaig's Profile View Profile   Reply to arkaig Reply   Quote arkaig Quote  
Joined: 24/2/2008

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   375
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 5
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Mine came painted too, I asked the installer if he could do the biz on it, he was all to please to help.  Yes, the paint must come off, and the pads could be needing replaced on the hitch.  A Van service will usually take care of the pads though. 


PersonJoanne1
27/6/2010 at 10:33pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: Swift Charisma 570 Honda CRV View Joanne1's Profile View Profile   Reply to Joanne1 Reply   Quote Joanne1 Quote  
Joined: 30/8/2006

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   33
Site Reviews Total: 21
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Our Alko is creaking too, we recently changed cars and bought a new towbar, the new detachable tow ball is not painted but we are now getting an awful creaking noise which we did'nt get before, can anybody help?

 

 

 


Personmichael
28/6/2010 at 9:41am
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Caravan now Sold View michael's Profile View Profile   Reply to michael Reply   Quote michael Quote  
Joined: 30/6/2002

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   23517
Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

hi see

es your stabiliser creak and groan?



-------------
the only silly question is the one you do not ask.


PersonjamesA114
28/6/2010 at 1:12pm
 Location: south staffordshire
 Outfit: Sterling Eccles Amethyst + santa fe View jamesA114's Profile View Profile   Reply to jamesA114 Reply   Quote jamesA114 Quote  
Joined: 23/3/2009

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   673
Site Reviews Total: 3
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

I have had the same issue last year. The new towball looked free from paint but actually had a translucent layer one which once removed stopped the creaking. See alko's website on how to remove pads to clean as Michael recommended to me last time.

I now clean pads and towball each time with brake cleaner.



Personbrianconwy
28/6/2010 at 7:19pm
 Location: north wales
 Outfit: Sprite Quattro FB View brianconwy's Profile View Profile   Reply to brianconwy Reply   Quote brianconwy Quote  
Joined: 25/9/2005

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4286
Site Reviews Total: 11
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
I take it its the stabiliser creaking and not the hitchlock,  Personally I don't drive with the hitchlock fitted, although I don't think it should affect towing.


Advertisement



Personrovin-rab
29/6/2010 at 8:22pm
 Location: kilmarnock ayrshire
 Outfit: sterling 480-4 + 2.2 vauxhall omega View rovin-rab's Profile View Profile   Reply to rovin-rab Reply   Quote rovin-rab Quote  
Joined: 29/6/2010

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   9
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
hi all. I am also experiencing the same creaking from my alko stabiliser but my problem only started after i had a wheel come off the van whilst on M25 i have cleaned both towball and pads to no avail and the only way to stop it creaking is to tow with stabiliser disconnected when going onto sites as it is embarrasing with all the noise that comes off it.


PersonEddie12
29/6/2010 at 9:16pm
 Location: Northern Ireland
 Outfit: Swift Challenger 570 & Santa Fe View Eddie12's Profile View Profile   Reply to Eddie12 Reply   Quote Eddie12 Quote  
Joined: 28/3/2006

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   818
Site Reviews Total: 0
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
Quote: Originally posted by rovin-rab on 29/6/2010
hi all. I am also experiencing the same creaking from my alko stabiliser but my problem only started after i had a wheel come off the van whilst on M25 i have cleaned both towball and pads to no avail and the only way to stop it creaking is to tow with stabiliser disconnected when going onto sites as it is embarrasing with all the noise that comes off it.

It's possible that your pads have been contaminated by dust/dirt, when your wheel came off. Probably worth removing the pads to give them a proper clean, or alternatively, just renew them.


Personrovin-rab
29/6/2010 at 9:32pm
 Location: kilmarnock ayrshire
 Outfit: sterling 480-4 + 2.2 vauxhall omega View rovin-rab's Profile View Profile   Reply to rovin-rab Reply   Quote rovin-rab Quote  
Joined: 29/6/2010

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   9
Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
thanks eddie12 am gonna order a new set and try that



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravan Towcars and Towing Advice - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

9366 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews] 



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement
Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder