Clunking sound when pulling away and driving

Thebraddings
Thebraddings Forum Participant Posts: 21
edited August 2016 in Caravans #1

Hi all,

I've been caravanning for around a year and I've come across an issue which caused me to cancel a recent holiday. 

When I start to pull away I'm hearing a loud clunking noise that will remain whilst I'm driving. It does the same when I'm reversing. 

Do any of you experienced caravaners have an idea what it could be. The damper seems to be pretty sold so I don't think it's that but then again I'm not sure. 

Any help would be brilliant. 

Steve 

Comments

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2016 #2

    I take it you have also checked the towbar mountings

  • Thebraddings
    Thebraddings Forum Participant Posts: 21
    edited August 2016 #3

    That would be a no!! 

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2016 #4

    When you say "clunking" could also be creaking or groaning would probably be caused by dirty pads on the stableizer which can be cleaned with brake cleaner and fine emery cloth or new pads

  • Riba
    Riba Forum Participant Posts: 70
    edited August 2016 #5

    Sounds like the damper on your caravan tow hitch.

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2016 #6

    Agree with JVB,  it does sound like either the tow ball or the tow bar mountings may be loose. It could also be the damper but that's a bit less likely but worth checking.

     

  • Thebraddings
    Thebraddings Forum Participant Posts: 21
    edited August 2016 #7

    The clunking is loud people are looking at me when I'm driving....

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2016 #8

    Can you tell whether the clunk is coming from the car or caravan?

  • Thebraddings
    Thebraddings Forum Participant Posts: 21
    edited August 2016 #9

    Sadly not.....

  • Fysherman
    Fysherman Forum Participant Posts: 1,570
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2016 #10

    If it does it when reversing as you mentioned perhaps someone could walk alongside and find where its coming from?

  • triky auto
    triky auto Forum Participant Posts: 8,690
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2016 #11

    Undecided , Hmmm, !! The age of the vehicle ?? Back axle  play/worn ?? All, ALL ,wheel nuts tight ?? Worth checking !! 

  • BorisSnowhead
    BorisSnowhead Forum Participant Posts: 50
    edited August 2016 #12

    Do you have a stabaliser? If this is released, so coupled to car but stabiliser not engaged, does the sound still occur. If not, likely to be pads. 

  • andybe
    andybe Forum Participant Posts: 37
    edited August 2016 #13

    Steve

    Given the potential safety implication, wouldn't you be better calling on the services of your local dealer/mobile technician,rather than asking members to try to diagnose the cause lon distance?

  • paul56
    paul56 Forum Participant Posts: 937
    500 Comments
    edited August 2016 #14

    Do you know anyone else who has a caravan and could you give that a tow? if no noise it's your van. If there is its the car - and agree with andybe above - not suggested you take it on the motorway!

  • KellyHenderson
    KellyHenderson Forum Participant Posts: 76
    edited August 2016 #15

    I would also agree that it sounds like the damper. There's a hydraulic piston on the hitch that stops the caravan running into the back of the car. As there will be no damping, the caravan will 'clunk' when being moved. I would also have a towbar specialist check the torque settings on the towbar bolts, just incase.

  • MrGarval
    MrGarval Forum Participant Posts: 120
    edited August 2016 #16

    I think you have received some good advise/ideas and if you still can't get any further solving the problem may be time to get it checked out by your dealer or whoever services your van.

  • DORMAN12Q
    DORMAN12Q Forum Participant Posts: 90
    edited August 2016 #17

    Could you attach a tow rope to a large bollard or the like and slowly pull against it to see if the clunk is with the car,

    Or with hook the caravan to the car tow ball and with the car brakes on push the caravan backwards to see if the noise is coming from the caravan or the car

  • markflip
    markflip Forum Participant Posts: 177
    edited August 2016 #18

    A clunking hitch can be caused by worn sleeve bushes or a defective over-run damper.  If it's the sleeve bearings, the clunk will happen on 'bounce', when the car rear axle passes over a bump/hole etc, whereas the clunk from a worn damper will be evident
    when the forces between the car and caravan change from a 'pull' to a 'push', so braking, entering a downhill under engine braking or reversing etc

    If you suspect the sleeve bearings excessive play will be evident at the ball coupling, ie you will be able to lift the end of the hitch up and down a cm or more when the caravan is uncoupled.

    The damper can be tested on the uncoupled van by firmy pressing the end of the hitch towards the van.  If the damper s working it will take considerable, sustained force and the over-run will SLOWLY compress, on releasing the pressure the end of the hitch
    will SLOWLY return.  if the damper's shot, the compression will be easier and it will slide in and out much quicker.

    As others have said the clunking might be your ball insecure on the tow bar or the entire towbar (or detachable towbar mounting plate) insecure on the vehicle. It could also be the entire hitch assembly insecure on the caravan 'A' frame.  Connecting the
    van and getting someone to 'bounce' the rear of the vehicle might help identify the source if any of the above are the case. 

    With perhaps the exception of the sleeve bushes, all are serious faults meaning your combination is unsafe, so please have them fixed before towing again.

     

  • andyross
    andyross Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited August 2016 #19

    Hi. I had this when I had a new tow bar fitted. All I did was remove the paint off the ball which locates in the caravan hitch with a light wet and dry paper. apparantly it's the alko pads gripping on the ball.

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2016 #20

    Might be simpler to get someone else to try towing the caravan.

  • cheetahdavie
    cheetahdavie Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited August 2016 #21

    Late to the party..but it sounds like the Damper.Just had the same problem..gone with a new damper..

     

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