Advice on creaking noise when towing

kazer
kazer Forum Participant Posts: 21
edited August 15 in Caravans #1

Just wondering if anyone has experienced a creaking noise when towing their caravan. We have recently changed our caravan therefore I now know it’s the car. Which is regularly serviced & still under warranty. 
Any advice on what the problem is would be helpful. 
Car - Kia Sorrento

Apologies if I am in the wrong place for this.

Moderator Comment - Moved from Story Section

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 8 #2

    It’s pretty normal. Check your friction pads in the hitch and, if all OK, don't worry about it.

  • Freddy55
    Freddy55 Club Member Posts: 1,809 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 8 #3

    I agree. I’m probably daft, but I find the creaking reassuring.

  • Arch
    Arch Forum Participant Posts: 347
    edited August 8 #4

    As TW said check the friction pads also check the nose weight if it's to heavy this will make a creaking noise.

  • kazer
    kazer Forum Participant Posts: 21
    edited August 8 #5

    Thanks everyone for the advice 👍

  • busby
    busby Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited August 8 #6

    You need to clean your friction pads and towball with white spirit on a clean cloth.

    this will stop the creaking noise in most cases. it certainly did on my outfit, 

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 8 #7

    Brake cleaner is the usual method of choice for towball and pad cleaning.

  • richardandros
    richardandros Club Member Posts: 2,681 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 9 #8

    Agree Tinny.  When our last van started to creak, I started to get meticulous about cleaning the towball with a mildly abrasive pad and then brake cleaner every time I hitched up - and blast the pads now and again. Been doing it ever since we got the current van and never had a problem.

  • PJMEG
    PJMEG Forum Participant Posts: 180
    edited August 9 #9

    Fully agree with this, same routine for us.

    Only time we might get any slight noise is after the yearly service when the pads have been out, checked and cleaned up.

  • eribaMotters
    eribaMotters Club Member Posts: 1,193 ✭✭✭✭
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    edited August 9 #10

    I like most people use emery tape and brake cleaner. I'd advise against white spirit as it can leave an oily residue.

     

    Colin

  • flatcoat
    flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
    1000 Comments
    edited August 9 #11

    If it’s a new car it suggests the tow ball isn’t sufficiently clean. As others have said make sure it is very smooth, no paint, no rust and clean of any contaminants. Just in case the caravan hitch pads have become contaminated from the car give them a good clean too. It’s not the end of the world to change the pads to be absolutely certain they are clean. 

  • TimboC
    TimboC Club Member Posts: 422 ✭
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    edited August 11 #12

    I had the same problem some years ago, and called in a local mobile service agent whilst on site.

    His advice was to clean the towball and side pads prior to every journey with brake cleaner and emery cloth, as they both get dirty and sooted up, particularly if you're driving a diesel.

    I've never had a problem since, although I do get some sideways glances sometimes on site!

  • wh1nbrew
    wh1nbrew Club Member Posts: 86 ✭
    First Comment
    edited August 14 #13

    Thanks for the advice about cleaning up.  Ours creaks horribly at low speed - at least we know we are still hitched up though!  

  • ADP1963
    ADP1963 Forum Participant Posts: 1,280
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    edited August 15 #14

    As long as you are certain that car and caravan are well maintained!......turn the radio up and enjoy your holiday.

  • PeteCI
    PeteCI Forum Participant Posts: 66
    edited August 15 #15

    As others have said, it's not unusual for alko ball and hitch to creak but it may be wise to have your towbar mounting bolts checked too.

    Installation instructions probably recommend re-torquing soon after first use but many are never checked.

  • PLPollyP
    PLPollyP Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited August 16 #16

    I also had a squeaking noise which later was evident when not towing as well.  Turned out to be the tow bar fitting.   I had a Brink tow bar fitted by a mobile engineer, on my drive.  Finally discovered that he had not tightened the bolts of the cross beam properly, so it squeaked and finally worked loose.

    Cost me £300 to get a garage to sort it during one of our trips (all the rear bumper had to come off to get access).

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 16 #17

    If your banner is correct, can you tell us if you are staff or a volunteer moderator, please.

    If you are not a moderator, I suggest you contact the Community Manager as something is amiss with your profile.  communitymanager@camc.com

     

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 16 #18

    All is well. You’ve now been changed to 'member' 😀

  • kazer
    kazer Forum Participant Posts: 21
    edited August 21 #19

    Once again thanks for all advice.
    Will get my hubby on the job 😊

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