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 		Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: towing hitches Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonNeil1jack
07/6/2014 at 11:55am
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Neil1jack's Profile View Profile   Reply to Neil1jack Reply   Quote Neil1jack Quote  
Joined: 14/3/2014

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   7
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
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
 Location: 
 Outfit:  View michell8's Profile View Profile   Reply to michell8 Reply   Quote michell8 Quote  
Joined: 11/2/2014

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1061
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
Probably just towball needs cleaning. Clean it to bright metal & try again.


Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off!
UKCampsite.co.uk users are rewarded with up to 12.5% off Caravan Guard touring caravan insurance, folding camper and trailer tent insurance, and 5% off motorhome and campervan insurance. Static caravan insurance is also available. Get an online quote now

PersonNeil1jack
07/6/2014 at 12:52pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Neil1jack's Profile View Profile   Reply to Neil1jack Reply   Quote Neil1jack Quote  
Joined: 14/3/2014

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   7
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
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
 Location: Blackpool Lancashire
 Outfit: Conway countryman. View josey60's Profile View Profile   Reply to josey60 Reply   Quote josey60 Quote  
Joined: 08/7/2010

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   819
Site Reviews Total: 5
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 7
Site Nights 2022: 8
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0
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
 Location: Somerset
 Outfit: Hobby 560 Prestige +VW Touareg View Delboya's Profile View Profile   Reply to Delboya Reply   Quote Delboya Quote  
Joined: 03/6/2011

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   267
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: 1  
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: 3
Site Nights 2018: 0
I have similar problems - I always clean inside the hitch and the ball itself with brake-cleaning spray before any journey

Del


Advertisement



PersonNeil1jack
07/6/2014 at 2:41pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View Neil1jack's Profile View Profile   Reply to Neil1jack Reply   Quote Neil1jack Quote  
Joined: 14/3/2014

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   7
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
appreciate your feedback

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


Personuxb443
15/6/2014 at 3:21am
 Location: Staffordshire
 Outfit: Fiat Scudo - Gobur Carousel 12 2T View uxb443's Profile View Profile   Reply to uxb443 Reply   Quote uxb443 Quote  
Joined: 04/4/2013

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   73
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'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
 Location: Glasgow
 Outfit: Elddis Avante 454 View John4703's Profile View Profile   Reply to John4703 Reply   Quote John4703 Quote  
Joined: 08/2/2009

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   694
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 21
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 7  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 1  
Site Reviews 2019: 1  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 37
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 7
Site Nights 2019: 7
Site Nights 2018: 0
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
 Location: Portsmouth
 Outfit: Avondale Rialto 550 or Vango Orchy 600 View JdDerek's Profile View Profile   Reply to JdDerek Reply   Quote JdDerek Quote  
Joined: 19/8/2011

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   181
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
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
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6893
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
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.


Advertisement



Personmoz1013
16/6/2014 at 12:52pm
 Location: Dorset
 Outfit: Vango Odyssey AirBeam 600 Tent View moz1013's Profile View Profile   Reply to moz1013 Reply   Quote moz1013 Quote  
Joined: 01/7/2007

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   94
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
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
 Location: Scottish Borders
 Outfit:  Elddis Whirlwind GT View queensmessenger's Profile View Profile   Reply to queensmessenger Reply   Quote queensmessenger Quote  
Joined: 31/3/2009

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   231
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
Does that mean its going to be "TWINS"


Personmoz1013
17/6/2014 at 12:41pm
 Location: Dorset
 Outfit: Vango Odyssey AirBeam 600 Tent View moz1013's Profile View Profile   Reply to moz1013 Reply   Quote moz1013 Quote  
Joined: 01/7/2007

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   94
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
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! :)



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 - Caravans and Caravanning - Top of Page

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


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...

9863 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