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Subject Topic: Coupling Damper Post Reply Post New Topic
Personlisterdiesel
12/6/2015 at 4:56pm
 Location: Rushden Northants
 Outfit: Mercedes 614D Conversion View listerdiesel's Profile View Profile   Reply to listerdiesel Reply   Quote listerdiesel Quote  
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While waiting in reception at Villey le sec in France I overheard a conversation between two guys and the reception girl. It was in English as they were German, she was Russian and English was the common language.

The coupling damper had failed on one of the caravans they had arrived in, and they were trying to find a local dealer that could repair the caravan or supply parts.

In the end the caravan was picked up later in the day by a recovery truck and we didn't see it again.

That got us talking about carrying a spare damper for our big trailer. It controls the rate at which the brakes are applied for one thing, and also the extension of the coupling head when pulling away, so a very important bit in the system. It would definitely spoil your day if it failed with the trailer fully loaded.



I ordered one there and then and it turned up today, £52.99 for our 3500kg coupling, but a vital spare.

Peter


PersonSkoda Bob
12/6/2015 at 6:16pm
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we take a van on holiday you have a house on wheels.
2 land rovers one to pull the other to push

Bit of fun above, what type of licence do you need for that set up LGV???


Personlisterdiesel
12/6/2015 at 8:39pm
 Location: Rushden Northants
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Hi Bob:

I usually tow the trailer with mine, and then we use our son's car to run around in.

Next year we should have the Mercedes 614D conversion finished, then we'll just have the one vehicle plus trailer.

Licence is standard car, trailer is 3500kg, needs to be pre-1997.

The Mercedes is 6tonne gross so I'll be on C1+E at 9+ tonnes for that.

There is a 1300kg diesel show engine in the back normally, but we leave it in Holland before we drive down to France, brings it down to 2200kg.

Peter


PersonGCMS2012
12/6/2015 at 9:57pm
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Where did you source your damper from Peter??

I need an Alko one, but trying to translate the German on the side of the old one is holding me up....

-------------
Damned if I do...

Damned if I don't!!!!


Personlisterdiesel
13/6/2015 at 9:21am
 Location: Rushden Northants
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Most of the struts are bought in by the coupling makers, so you can either look at the strut part number that is printed on the side of the gas cylinder part, and do a Google search, or get an Alko dealer to get one in for you.

Here's another picture of us, this one is in Holland:



Peter


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Personlisterdiesel
13/6/2015 at 10:00am
 Location: Rushden Northants
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Have a look here for the Alko part:

http://www.westerntowing.co.uk/acatalog/Al_ko_Kober.html

Peter


Personbilly
13/6/2015 at 11:29am
 Location: North Essex
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With normal caravan hitch damper fails slowly, once it starts banging a bit then time to change. I don't think hitch damper failure is a recovery job, just drive careful and avoid heavy braking. Brakes will still work even with failed damper.


Personlisterdiesel
13/6/2015 at 11:37am
 Location: Rushden Northants
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Quote: Brakes will still work even with failed damper.


Billy:

Have you driven a loaded trailer or caravan with a failed damper? All of mine have just failed, no gradual loss of action and very uncomfortable in the car.

The braking action becomes extremely sharp and caused our other trailer to lock its brakes up on approaches to roundabouts etc.

Yes, you can drive with a failed damper but not recommended.

Peter


Personbilly
13/6/2015 at 6:28pm
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I agree not recommended, but previous threads on here asking why the banging suggest plenty of caravanners may be towing with failed dampers so certainly not a recovery job, just drive careful and get it fixed when you can.


PersonGCMS2012
14/6/2015 at 5:53pm
 Location: Northumberland
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Sourced a new damper. Genuine one from eBay of all places.

My damper, once removed was slow to squeeze in and slow to return out. Oil came out once squeezed in too.

You would not have seen this when it was on the van...

-------------
Damned if I do...

Damned if I don't!!!!


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Persontrog100
15/6/2015 at 7:16pm
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"My damper, once removed was slow to squeeze in and slow to return out. Oil came out once squeezed in too."

apart from the oil coming out that is exactly what a damper should do..

a worn out one goes in and out easy.. you get a cluck when you pull off and a cluck when you brake.. the damper damps the movement and stops the clunk..

not the kind of thing i would carry as a spare but there you go..

trog



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