Painted Tow Ball

Andy Roxburgh
Andy Roxburgh Forum Participant Posts: 7
edited April 2016 in Towcars & Towing #1

Hi, we've just changed our car to a Freelander 2 and had a detachable tow bar fitted. This is painted black - do I need to sand off the paint or is it ok as it is? I'm using a standard alko hitch (with stabaliser) on a Swift Archway single axle caravan.

Apologies if this is answered somewhere else..

Andy.

Comments

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #2

    Yes Andy its been answered many times but not to worry as the search is awful on here.

    The paint must be removed as it will contaminate the stabiliser pads, lightly sand it all off and use something like brake cleaner, meths or I just used paint brush cleaner, in fact any cleaner that evaporates.

    A link <HERE>

  • jeffcc
    jeffcc Forum Participant Posts: 430
    edited April 2016 #3

    Clean all paint off with sandpaper and then degreaser make sure no residue of paint left as it will contaminate the friction pads on your hitch

  • Nuggy
    Nuggy Forum Participant Posts: 512
    edited April 2016 #4

    This question is asked regularly. Why don't the towbar fitters remove the paint themselves, or if they don't want to spend a couple of minutes doing it, advize the customer that it needs to be done? 

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,675 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #5

    I've often wondered the same thing Nuggy.  I understand why they paint the towball, but it out to be down to the fitter to leave the towball in a state for us to use.

    David 

  • Simon100
    Simon100 Club Member Posts: 666 ✭
    500 Comments 100 Likes
    edited April 2016 #6

    I always ask my fitter to take the black paint off when they fit the towbar. They are very happy to do so.

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member Posts: 5,675 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2016 #7

    I always ask my fitter to take the black paint off when they fit the towbar. They are very happy to do so.

    We're having a towbar fitted next week to our 'new to us' car.  I must remember to ask about removing the paint.

    David 

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

     ... but it out to be down to the fitter to leave the towball in a state for us to use.

    David 

    It is. Not all hitches are Alko ...... some require a greased hitch

  • Andy Roxburgh
    Andy Roxburgh Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited April 2016 #9

    Many thanks for all your useful comments. Didn't think to ask the fitter to remove the paint. For those tha may be interested he managed to fit it without removing the rear bumpers too and as the swan neck I'd ordered was discontinued he fitted a detachable
    swan neck at no extra charge - result! It won't take long to remove the paint with a bit of elbow grease but I'll know next time. Thanks again.

  • Nuggy
    Nuggy Forum Participant Posts: 512
    edited April 2016 #10

    Andy R, I recently used North West Tow Bar Centre in Stockport, I forgot to mention about the paint, and they still removed it for me. I also forgot to ask for an anchorage point for the breakaway cable, so went back saying oops, sorry. They were very helpful and didn't charge for the labour as it only took them a few minutes. They are a very professional outfit and worth a visit. The counter area is a well stocked shop. 

  • bajillettt
    bajillettt Forum Participant Posts: 14
    edited April 2016 #11

    Collected my 1st caravan on the 1st and towed it to storage the towball was still painted i noticed when i uncoupled that most of the paint had been removed during towing. Do i need to do anything before i tow again.

    1st outing planned for may bank holiday then new forest in july.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited April 2016 #12

     ,,. Do i need to do anything before i tow again. .....

    Clean &/or emry the pads fitted to the hitch Wink

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