Creaking

Bratak

Just bought a new Swift and noticed when I am towing, especially at slow speeds in town a sort of knocking/creaking noise coming from somewhere, any ideas

Unknown

This content has been removed.

cyberyacht

Probably your stabiliser. Mine does unless it is my back.

SteveL

It depends on the exact nature of the noise. Creaking yes, it is very unusual our stabilised hitch to be 100% noise free. It varies with temperature and levels of dampness. We don't get any knocking though. What sort of hitch did you have before, was it one that you could lubricate, so you are just not used to the friction pad type?

Bratak

No, nae the bagpipes Boleroboy, they would make a worse noise lol, not sure if there was a difference in the hitches, you hitched on then pushed the stabiliser part down, though i was thinking it must be the hitch, cheers for the replies

Tirril

Almost certainly the stabilzer which is most noticeable at slow speed especially when turning and also on undulating roads where the caravan pitches a little. Typical scenarious are travelling slowly on site roads. 

Bratak

Is the ball meant to be dry with the modern stabilizer hitch, cheers

BorisSnowhead

Yep, dry and clean. If the pads are dirty clean them up and give ball a clean with fine sandpaper 

petertr

I had something similar when I first got my van, even though I'd sanded the paint off the towbar.

Some brake cleaner (from screwfix) and a wipe with a scouring pad seemed to make a big difference.

Bratak

Thanks very much guys