Discussion
Firstly, please no sarcy comments about my caravan ownership... had lots of those on other threads!
I have a Ford Tourneo Connect towing a small caravan. Car is new, towbar fitted by Ford. Caravan not so new but in relatively good nick. Trouble is, there is now a very occasional 'knock' that comes from the rear of the car if the caravan goes over a pothole that then tips up the nose more than usual. It's only on the upward movement of the caravan nose & towball that this knock occurs and only when the movement is slightly more great than normal.
The knock can be felt through the body of the car (I feel it through the steering) so I am concerned that its something on the car. Towbar and rear suspension seem in good order and caravan is about to go in for a service & checkup. Is there anything this might obviously be?
Before I get any abuse, yes I do drive sensibly and the caravan nose movement is normal and isn't due to my driving stupidity!
How kind.
I have a Ford Tourneo Connect towing a small caravan. Car is new, towbar fitted by Ford. Caravan not so new but in relatively good nick. Trouble is, there is now a very occasional 'knock' that comes from the rear of the car if the caravan goes over a pothole that then tips up the nose more than usual. It's only on the upward movement of the caravan nose & towball that this knock occurs and only when the movement is slightly more great than normal.
The knock can be felt through the body of the car (I feel it through the steering) so I am concerned that its something on the car. Towbar and rear suspension seem in good order and caravan is about to go in for a service & checkup. Is there anything this might obviously be?
Before I get any abuse, yes I do drive sensibly and the caravan nose movement is normal and isn't due to my driving stupidity!
How kind.
kevinday said:I'm beginning to think it is the caravan hitch although the problem has only arisen recently and I towed fine with it for a couple of months before. The caravan is in for a service next week so I'll get them to test it. Car's just come back with a clean bill of health on the chassis so it's not that. Now... Ford servicing... that's another thread in itself...
The car towball will be 50mm, is the caravan the same, or is it an old 2" one?
Is this a genuine ford tow bar, or one a dealer has had retro fitted by an outside agent?
We don't really suffer with knocking noises from the rear end of Connect, so i'd be looking towards either the tow hitch on the caravan being dry or worn.
If they are ok, get someone to make sure the mounting bolts are torqued up on the bar to chassis mounting points, this could be moving up and down giving the sharp metallic knock. it's not something that's visable in the main as the bolts will still gve the impression of being tight.
springs and shocks on them have been Ok to date, so i'd not suspect a suspension concern.
We don't really suffer with knocking noises from the rear end of Connect, so i'd be looking towards either the tow hitch on the caravan being dry or worn.
If they are ok, get someone to make sure the mounting bolts are torqued up on the bar to chassis mounting points, this could be moving up and down giving the sharp metallic knock. it's not something that's visable in the main as the bolts will still gve the impression of being tight.
springs and shocks on them have been Ok to date, so i'd not suspect a suspension concern.
Gassing Station | Suspension, Brakes & Tyres | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff