Grinding noise when towing

Lunabarb
Lunabarb Forum Participant Posts: 2
edited September 2020 in Towcars & Towing #1

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. 

Comments

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited September 2020 #2

    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
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
    10,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited September 2020 #3

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

  • Lunabarb
    Lunabarb Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited September 2020 #4

    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
    TonyBurton Forum Participant Posts: 269
    edited September 2020 #5

    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.