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Topic: Paint off new towbar?

katymg

04/6/2020 at 9:20pm
Location: Scotland
Outfit: Abbey Expression 500L

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Hello - I am getting my first towbar fitted on Saturday. I have read that you need to take the paint off the towbar before using it but I have read this is because stabilisers have pads and the paint interferes with their work.

My van does not have a stabiliser and is very lightweight - if I don't have a stabiliser do I need to take the paint off the towbar? If so, do I just do this with sandpaper (from YouTube this is what seems to be used).

Many thanks
Katy

Rob and Tina

via mobile 05/6/2020 at 8:19am
Location: Royal Forest of Dean
Outfit: Swift Major 4SB

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If you have a stabiliser hitch you need to remove the paint from the ball and keep it clean to enable the pads to grip the ball. With the standard hitch you need to keep the ball greased to enable the hitch to swivel.

Rob
Tina has pointed out that I forgot to mention that in your case you don't need to remove the paint just add a blob of grease to the tow ball.

Post last edited on 05/06/2020 08:24:50

tango55

05/6/2020 at 12:14pm
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

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The towbar and the towball are two completely different parts so not to get confused with the two. The towbar is mounted to the vehicle's chassis then the towball is mounted to the towbar repectively whether it's a fixed, swan neck or detachable. However, the only reason why the towball is covered in paint is protection from surface rust between manufacture and customer and serves no other purpose. The towball is precisely 50mm. diameter which is compatible with the hitch which incorporates the friction pads so removal of the paint from the towball is important. Once the paint is removed it is advisable to purchase a towball cover for when it's not in use but each time the towball will need to be used there will be surface rust anyway which needs to be removed. I usually use an old washing up scourer pad with a drop of Brasso or something not too abrasive like wire wool then spray a smear of brake and clutch cleaner onto the ball which will remove any dust particles or grease etc. making it perfectly clean. If you don't clean off the dust particles from the towball then you get interference between the friction pads and towball which quite often creates a severe creaking sound which sometimes happens and people don't know exactly why.
If you have a stabiliser hitch you still need to keep the towball dry but if not then you still need to remove the paint but also apply some lubricant such as grease.

Paul_B

06/6/2020 at 8:53am
Location: Yorkshire
Outfit: Car & Caravan

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I would think they will supple a standard towball which is coated with dacromite etc, I would check with the fitter but all you need to do is keep the ball greased and use a ball cover when not towing as the grease makes a mess with leggings, trousers etc.

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