New Pads for Alco hitch

Pippah45
Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
1000 Comments
edited October 2021 in Caravans #1

Last year I had new pads on the hitch of my caravan - 2nd year and have really struggled to get the lever down (and up) with the new pads.  It was absolutely fine from being a new van but it's ridiculous.  I asked my friend who is a gardener handy man weighing in at a good 18 stone or so and he struggled with it too.  I have to climb onto the A frame and jump on the thing to get it down - not fun!  Plus I have to use something to lever it off.  It is being serviced on Friday and I am worried they are going to put new pads in and leave me with the whole saga again (it was getting easier towards the end of the season but still harder than it was from new and any other caravan I have had).  If I refuse to have new pads will this affect the validity of the service and therefore the warranty?  

Comments

  • captainslogg
    captainslogg Club Member Posts: 52 ✭✭
    edited October 2021 #2

    The last service I had done, the mobile man asked if I wanted new pads fitting. I said yes.

    The handle ended up almost as bad as yours to push up and down and after a few miles towing there were horrendous cracking noises coming from the coupling. I decided to remove the pads to have a look. The service man had put 2 spacers in as well as 2 new pads. I removed the spacers and rubbed the tow ball and pads with fine wet and dry paper hoping to reduce the noise. It worked, handle easier to move up and down also the cracking noise is gone "for now at least". Its a relatively easy job for a handy person.

     

  • obbernockle
    obbernockle Forum Participant Posts: 616
    500 Comments
    edited October 2021 #3

    I think the spacers are in the kit to be fitted as required. Means if required. In any case the service person should have checked it. Ball size is standard, so there is no excuse.

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited October 2021 #4

    We recently had the same problem, OH removed the spacers no more noise from the hitch and easier to lock on and release.

    Maybe that's all that needs to be done Pippah45

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2021 #5

    Thanks for that - I am getting on in age although pretty strong but that was ridiculous!  And was threatening my continued confidence in towing and touring.  I think I will put the car up to the caravan tomorrow before the mechanic gets here!  

    I have had that creaking and groaning noise too and spray the hitch with - a proprietary spray - for brakes I think - I can check the can.  I haven't had that noise with this caravan which I believe is dirt accumulating on the ball and the hitch.  But don't on any account use WD40 or any such product.  

  • ADP1963
    ADP1963 Forum Participant Posts: 1,280
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2021 #6

    I bought the kit and done ours myself and it has been perfect. Seems that I have been lucky then as I am usually rubbish at DIY.

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Club Member Posts: 3,880 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2021 #7

    I would fit the shims when the pads start to wear and the handle goes down too easily.  Puting in shims with new pads suggests the person who did it does not know what they are doing, and maybe not with other service items either.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2021 #8

    Service done today and I checked that I could do it!  Young man said  he hadn't any trouble with it as it had been but he isn't 76 years old!  He claimed there was a knack to it - yeah right!  

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