A frame noise when towing

Peter Henson
Peter Henson Forum Participant Posts: 12
edited October 2020 in Towcars & Towing #1

Hi, has anyone had a clunking sound coming from the  aframe tow ball area. It's a Lunar s.i. Clubman 2016. Any advice would be appreciated. 

Comments

  • Freddy55
    Freddy55 Club Member Posts: 1,809 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited October 2020 #2

    It might be the friction pads in the stabiliser making the noise. Quite common.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited October 2020 #3

    Probably as Freddy suggests .... try cleaning each pad with a little emery paper/cloth and wipe with brake cleaner. Also make sure the tow ball itself is clean.

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited October 2020 #4

    If it's a clunking rather than a creaking sound and you are hearing it mainly when accelerating or braking I would suspect that the hitch damper is shot.

  • Peter Henson
    Peter Henson Forum Participant Posts: 12
    edited October 2020 #5

    Thank you again for the comments, I'll get it to the dealer next week. 

  • JohnM20
    JohnM20 Forum Participant Posts: 1,416
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    edited October 2020 #6

    Also check the towbar mounting bolts are tight.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited October 2020 #7

    I agree we had a similar noise some years ago and it was found ro be the Towbar bolts needed a tweek with the torque wrench

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2020 #8

    Clunking, especially accelerating or braking, I would suspect the hitch damper. But also badly adjusted brakes will cause the hitch damper to work excessively.

    Creaking, especially noticeable with slow maneuvers, would point at the stabiliser pads. 

  • Lutz
    Lutz Forum Participant Posts: 1,564 ✭✭✭✭
    edited October 2020 #9

    Maybe, but they should never be so loose as to allow play which would cause a clunking noise.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited October 2020 #10

    On ours it sounded louder than the real problem as the vehicle body amplified it, 

    Any of the replies could be the cause when was the c/van serviced,come to mind also

  • Peter Henson
    Peter Henson Forum Participant Posts: 12
    edited October 2020 #11

    Serviced February 2016, travelled about 1800 miles this year. I've checked the bolts all tight and secure. Local Lunar dealer looking at it tomorrow. 

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited October 2020 #12

    I would think a service could be a good idea?

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
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    edited October 2020 #13

    So if i'm not mistaken you bought a 2016 caravan and had it serviced in February 2016 and not serviced since. Was you not aware of the warranty rules with caravans. 

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2020 #14

    It's not a hanging offence, LL. I've done the same with new caravans, and the hab side of MHs, as warranties are often more hassle than they're worth. 

    However, you have to be prepared and able to maintain the van yourself.

  • commeyras
    commeyras Forum Participant Posts: 1,853
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    edited October 2020 #15

    Agreed not a hanging offence but sounds as though the OP has not had his caravan serviced since purchase nearly 5 yrs ago.  He maybe a competent mechanic but it really should be given a good service by a qualified engineer.  Any damp warranty has now gone at the least.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2020 #16

    Hence the last sentence of my post - "prepared and able".

    Incidentally, any competent mechanic will be capable of servicing and repairing a caravan. It's not rocket science and the term 'qualified engineer' in respect of caravan servicing is laughed at by many.

    You do obviously take your chances with damp by following the no servicing route.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited October 2020 #17

    And it would be "interesting" in the case of any mishaps as to whether any insurance? claim would be disputed ,without proof of servicing,, by "qualfied" service personel ie gas and electricity testing

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited October 2020 #18
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • TonyBurton
    TonyBurton Forum Participant Posts: 269
    edited October 2020 #19

    I had an Eldis some years ago. The break linings came unglued from the brake shoes resulting in a hefty clump in the back under heavy braking. It also resulted in the caravan freewheeling down my drive and hitting the garage doors when I unhitched. When did they stop riveting brake linings on?

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited October 2020 #20

    .... When did they stop riveting brake linings on?

    A life time ago 😉. The only riveted linings I've ever seen were those from my Dad's 1949 Triumph. 

  • PeteCI
    PeteCI Forum Participant Posts: 66
    edited October 2020 #21

    Did your Lunar dealer find the problem?

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