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Subject Topic: towing hitches Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonNeil1jack
07/6/2014 at 11:55am
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Good Morning

Wonder if someone would be able to give me a bit of advise
i have an elddis caravan with a Winterhoff Ws3000 Hitch the issue i have when driving back from northumberland i notice a strange creaking noise coming from the back of the car could this be something to do with the Hitch if so is it something that can be fixed or is it a case i need to replace the full Hitch.

regards

Neil


Personmichell8
07/6/2014 at 12:31pm
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Probably just towball needs cleaning. Clean it to bright metal & try again.


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PersonNeil1jack
07/6/2014 at 12:52pm
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ill give that a go its a brandnew tow bar that had been fitted with a new towing ball but did notice ball was a
little black round one side when i disconnected it.


Personjosey60
07/6/2014 at 1:39pm
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Yes tow ball has to be cleaned of All paint, also don't grease the tow ball if the van is fitted with a Stabiliser

-------------
Exercise every day and Die Healthy....

JOSEY60


PersonDelboya
07/6/2014 at 2:39pm
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I have similar problems - I always clean inside the hitch and the ball itself with brake-cleaning spray before any journey

Del


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PersonNeil1jack
07/6/2014 at 2:41pm
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appreciate your feedback

at least it may not be as expensive as i was thinking :o)


Personuxb443
15/6/2014 at 3:21am
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I'm not familiar with Winterhof but my Alko hitch has the built in stabiliser and especially at slow speeds makes a disconcerting creaking noise, but it is just the friction pads doing their job. It always takes me by surprise when we set off!


PersonJohn4703
15/6/2014 at 4:28pm
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Quote: Originally posted by uxb443 on 15/6/2014
I'm not familiar with Winterhof but my Alko hitch has the built in stabiliser and especially at slow speeds makes a disconcerting creaking noise, but it is just the friction pads doing their job. It always takes me by surprise when we set off!


I've noticed that sort of noises but just thought it was stuff in the caravan falling over :-). I've towed loads of trailers and old caravans but the one I have now is the first one with a stabiliser so I am still learning. I like the Alko hitch with stabiliser as it does tow well.

-------------
We camped for years. In 2019 we bought an Elddis Avante 454. We like it as it is short (6.9m) and fits in our driveway and has a fixed bed.
We had 127 nights away in the caravan in 2023.


PersonJdDerek
15/6/2014 at 9:42pm
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A great question as I had exactly the same whilst towing this morning. Being only the second time I have ever towed I was a little concerned. But .... I don't think I have a stabiliser ?? When we purchased the van last week we discussed with the salesman about getting one but he felt that as the van was lightweight (1100kg unladen) we should be OK without it. If we have a standard hitch if there is such a thing does the ball require greasing ? ?

The ball does look black and dirty but I presumed that to be grease ??


PersonGrampian91
15/6/2014 at 10:53pm
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The usual trick to test if you have grease on the ball is to wear some light coloured trousers and load/unload the car forgetting to replace the towball cover.

Grease stains on your trousers? No = No grease.
Yes = yes its greased.


If you have a standard non stabilised hitch then yes it should be greased.

If its a stabilised hitch then get a green washing scourer and use that before hitching up. Only takes a few wipes.
They are not really abbrasive like sandpaper and work well. Come in packs of 6 - 10 usually. Avoid the really cheap ones though they tend to be too soft and useless.


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Personmoz1013
16/6/2014 at 12:52pm
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If you are using a stabiliser, always make sure the towball is completely free of grease and ideally scrape all the paint off the towball sphere first so that it doesn't ruin the friction pads.

If you are not using a stabiliser the opposite is true, the towball should be greased.

Its amazing how often people are not told this by the dealer when they pick up a brand new caravan, or are new to caravanning, and they end up getting it wrong.

-------------
2015 - our 1st year of caravanning with a new baby. Can't wait! :)


Personqueensmessenger
16/6/2014 at 5:24pm
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Does that mean its going to be "TWINS"


Personmoz1013
17/6/2014 at 12:41pm
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Quote: Originally posted by queensmessenger on 16/6/2014
Does that mean its going to be "TWINS"


OMG, that'd be fun! I have my 12 week scan tomorrow so I'll let you know!

-------------
2015 - our 1st year of caravanning with a new baby. Can't wait! :)



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