Grinding noise when towing

Lunabarb

Hi, I’m relatively new to caravanning. 

I wonder if anyone can offer any advice.... 

when towing I am getting a bad grinding noise from the hitching point that goes right through the car!  Usually when slowing at junctions or slow manoeuvres. Tow bar is less than a year old and the trailer is AL-KO ATC- circa 2013. 

any advice would be very welcome. TIA. Richard. 

JVB66

Sounds like the alko hitch pads are  in need of a good clean or replacing ,

Cleaniing with brake cleaner spray can help 

I take it your hook is also not contaminated as it also has to be clean and free from any paint

Tinwheeler

Is this the usual heavy creaking noise that's often apparent when manoeuvring at low speed? Difficult to say really.

Lunabarb

Jvb66. Will give everything a good Inspection and clean, thanks for the brake cleaner tip.

tinwheeler. That’s exactly how I should have described the noise.. but it has become worse and more frequent almost unbearable on roundabouts. 

TonyBurton

I assume you have removed the black paint off the towball when it was new? I always wipe the towball to clean off any rust or debri before each trip. I still get a certain amount of grinding on roundabouts. It's the friction pads on the  hitch designed to reduce the chance of the van snaking.