Groaning when Towing

Welshvip
Welshvip Forum Participant Posts: 20
edited July 2016 in Towcars & Towing #1

Please can any member advise what is the problem when towing at very low  ie. 5mph there is growling and groaning from the tow hitch area. Alko stabliser is fitted

Comments

  • iffajobsworthdoing
    iffajobsworthdoing Forum Participant Posts: 94
    edited July 2016 #2

    Alko pads are dirty, or may need changing. Try very fine emery cloth and some sort of alcohol wipe first, also make sure towball is completely free from paint etc.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #3

    Alko pads are dirty, or may need changing. Try very fine emery cloth and some sort of alcohol wipe first, also make sure towball is completely free from paint etc.

    Write your comments here...+1

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,306 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #4

    It is not always obvious how they have become contaminated. We arrived at a site once and folk were comming out of their vans to see what the terrible noise was. However, after cleaning them up, no problems on the next tow.

  • MrGarval
    MrGarval Forum Participant Posts: 120
    edited July 2016 #5

    I agree with what has been said and yes I had the same problem which was cured by a good clean. Hope it is as simple for you.

  • Welshvip
    Welshvip Forum Participant Posts: 20
    edited July 2016 #6

    Thanks to everyone for the advice.

    I will now also use the brake and clutch spray fluild on the pads as well as the towball for cleaning

  • PJMEG
    PJMEG Forum Participant Posts: 180
    edited July 2016 #7

    Hi Welshvip, I recently had the same issue a horrible noise at low speed a quick rub down of the tow ball with wire wool then brake cleaner on both the tow alll and friction pads of the tow hitch and the noise was gone, hope this works for you.

  • neveramsure
    neveramsure Forum Participant Posts: 712
    500 Comments
    edited July 2016 #8

    Alko pads are dirty, or may need changing. Try very fine emery cloth and some sort of alcohol wipe first, also make sure towball is completely free from paint etc.

    Write your comments here...+1

    +2 Good advice.

    I find most groaning comes from the passenger seat.SealedHappy

  • Hakinbush
    Hakinbush Forum Participant Posts: 286
    edited July 2016 #9

    I clean the pads with WD 40 seems to work fine..

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #10

    I clean the pads with WD 40 seems to work fine..

    Surprised WD40 is a lubricant ..... a stabiliser hitch is suposed to grip the towball, your's won't now cos it's full of WD40

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,306 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2016 #11

    Yes I used to use that on my old non stabilised camping trailer. However, on an Alko stabilised hitch it is a
    definite no no. I am always very careful when using it to lubricate the detachable ball locking mechanism, not to get any on the ball, by using a plastic bag over it.

  • Hakinbush
    Hakinbush Forum Participant Posts: 286
    edited July 2016 #12

    Well MM it hasnt seem to show any signs of not working over the last three years, and I think youll find that rather being a lubricant its more of a high octain very quick release agent and when put on a piece of rag and wiped Alko pads it vapourises within
    seconds, yep when I was told about it I had my doubts but trust me it works..

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #13

    Well MM it hasnt seem to show any signs of not working over the last three years, and I think youll find that rather being a lubricant its more of a high octain very quick release agent and when put on a piece of rag and wiped Alko pads it vapourises within
    seconds, yep when I was told about it I had my doubts but trust me it works..

    Are you trying to convince me or yourself? 



  • KENNYG
    KENNYG Forum Participant Posts: 215
    100 Comments
    edited July 2016 #14

    I think you will find WD 40 is a releasent rather than a lubricant. 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited July 2016 #15

    I think you will find WD 40 is a releasent rather than a lubricant. 

    Isn't WD40 a water Dispersant ..... clue in the name! But it is, as the tin & web site state, also a lubricant and exactly NOT what you want on the friction pads of a stabiliser hitch. Hakin might as well have put a dollop of grease in the hitch ..... that'd
    prevent it from squealing & groaning too. Innocent

  • KENNYG
    KENNYG Forum Participant Posts: 215
    100 Comments
    edited July 2016 #16

    Correct wd does stand for water dispersion  it's main use is a solvent and rust remover the lubricant does not come from the substance itself but from the dessolving compound. After using wd40 you should use a true lubricant.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #17

    Alko pads are dirty, or may need changing. Try very fine emery cloth and some sort of alcohol wipe first, also make sure towball is completely free from paint etc.

    Write your comments here...+1

    +2 Good advice.

    I find most groaning comes from the passenger seat.SealedHappy

    Write your comments here...

    Alko pads are dirty, or may need changing. Try very fine emery cloth and some sort of alcohol wipe first, also make sure towball is completely free from paint etc.

    Write your comments here...+1

    +2 Good advice.

    I find most groaning comes from the passenger seat.SealedHappy

    ...ITs where the unexplained whine comes from in our carSurprised

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #18

    I clean the pads with WD 40 seems to work fine..

    ..Thats a no no as it will lubricate not clean , so will negate what the stabliser is there for

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited July 2016 #19
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Paul Rainbow
    Paul Rainbow Forum Participant Posts: 129
    100 Comments
    edited July 2016 #20

    I got a few tins of spray on brake cleaner for £1 for Eurocar spares last month. 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited July 2016 #21

     ..... After using wd40 you should use a true lubricant.

    But in the case of the friction pads on the hitch, we don't want a lubricant Laughing

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited July 2016 #22
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Tigi
    Tigi Forum Participant Posts: 1,038
    500 Comments
    edited July 2016 #23

    I have a suspicion (unscientifically proven) that the towball itself is responsible in some cases either the precise dimensions or the material used. Our previous Westfalia rusted easily even when detached, our current Bosal retractable does`nt, the Westfalia
    groaned continuously despite continuous cleaning, the Bosal so far (2300`) has`nt made a sound. However we changed the van as well so apart from the ALKO Hitch it is`nt really a true comparison.

  • Runrig
    Runrig Forum Participant Posts: 186
    edited July 2016 #24

    I read the thread title and thought

    "yes my wife groans a lot when we are towing" Cool

    Don't care what the technicalities are arround what WD40 is or isn't. I would definately not use it on the hitch pads.

    Brake cleaner for me.

    If it's good to clean brake pads, it's good to clean hitch pads. They have to do the same thing.

  • geoffeales
    geoffeales Forum Participant Posts: 322
    edited July 2016 #25

    i get it everytime, just for the first few yards, it's a bit like the brakes when you haven't used the car for a while. Don't worry about it, and definitely NO WD40.  It's generally just a little rust rubbing off the towball and will do no harm. If the groaning persists, put a gag on the co-pilot's mouth, or turn the radio up!

  • Cartledge
    Cartledge Forum Participant Posts: 267
    100 Comments
    edited July 2016 #26

    Rub the towball over with fine wet and dry paper and brake cleaner until It is clean and free from road grease, dust, rust and other contaminants. 

    Insert a screwdriver or similar into the caravan towing head sides, and gently push the pads out of the cup. They will just fall out. Clean and degrease with brake cleaner and roughen very gently with fine wet and dry paper and then replace by pushing the pads back into the towing head.

    There is an Alko video on how to remove the pads (also for cleaning) on YouTube, under "changing Alko friction pads". 

     

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