Inspecting Towbar assembly

[Fab1]

Today I had a friend approach me that he was getting a weird clunk at the back of his ute.When I questioned him he said that it only happens when towing and is worse when going over bumps.Red flags immediately went up for me that something was amiss.

I suspected loose/broken components somewhere in the Tow bar or coupling of the trailer and went under the ute to inspect further.

To my horror i found his tow ball to be considerably loose without a hint of grease on the ball itself or on the coupling-As you can see this could have eventually come undone all the way causing his trailer to career across the road and perhaps killing some one.

While I'm under the car I always check the fasteners for tightness and make sure to inspect all welds for cracks and make sure everything is as it should be with no major rust anywhere as per the photos-

It pays to be observant and just have a look around if anything obvious needs attention so that you can give it the attention it needs ASAP.

Here I've noted that the rear axle is weeping oil and needs repairing that I pointed out to my friend-We agreed the repair will be done in exchange for a bottle of bourbon.

A newer tow ball later we are ready to take the play out of the coupling and tow ball.

Before you start you want to grease the ball and inside the coupler sparingly with grease and hitch the trailer to the car.

Most coupling have a locknut and screw to adjust the play like shown-

Undo this nut with a spanner or similar so that you can move the screw-

Now with the spanner holding the loosened locknut use a flathead screwdriver to turn the screw clockwise in small increments at a time to remove the play-

What you want to achieve is when pulling up on the handle or pushing it down to the lock position you want some resistance and need to use a little effort,but not too much-

You'll know when your adjustment is spot on because if you tighten the screw too much you won't get the coupler over the hitch and the handle down in the lock position and if too loose you will feel excessive play when wiggling the trailer on the tow ball.

I hope someone takes something away from this as it is something so easy to inspect periodically that some day will save an accident or god forbid some innocent persons/families life.

The good that's come out of it for me is I taught a friend something new and hopefully he can pass it on sometime and no doubt saved the above from occurring.

Sorry for such a long winded post and thanks for reading and I hope you have learnt something too.

[Brooker435]

Some helpful tips there Fabian, well done.

It goes to show that even with a spring washer the towball can still come loose, It surprises me cause when I remove my tow ball off my mazda I always have to work very hard to crack the nut.

Perhaps your mate tried to remove it at some stage and got distracted, who knows but I am sure you will enjoy that bottle of burbon!!!

Regards,

Nathan

[Fab1]

Some helpful tips there Fabian, well done.

It goes to show that even with a spring washer the towball can still come loose, It surprises me cause when I remove my tow ball off my mazda I always have to work very hard to crack the nut.

Perhaps your mate tried to remove it at some stage and got distracted, who knows but I am sure you will enjoy that bottle of burbon!!!

Regards,

Nathan

I have doubts that the towball loosened on it's own also.I've seen mounting nuts come loose and broken welds,but never a loose towball.I think someone has deliberately done this to him.Paul and his wife Debbie go to horse shows and they recall exchanging words with a drunk couple a few weeks back at a show.

I think the cowards came back when his rig was unattended to loosen his tow ball and god knows what and may have been interupted by someone.

But it does pay to get under the vehicle periodically and check the fasteners for looseness and for cracked welds/rust as that does and can happen especially on rigs used to tow something substantial.

Cheers.

[antonywardle]

why do you lube the towball?

Just to stop the friction (wear)?

100% that the kids will end up with grease on themselves

Edited January 5, 2016 by antonywardle

[Fab1]

why do you lube the towball?

Just to stop the friction (wear)?

100% that the kids will end up with grease on themselves

Yes,to prevent friction/wear and smoother operation.A towball cover solves the grease on the kiddies also.

[ambrose607]

Years ago when I was a kid my father use to cut off the bottom of a tennis ball to cover the tow ball. Ahh the memories.

[General Zod]

Fab this has happen it me as well some years back. Same noises from the tow ball, when I did an inspection same thing. We were about to enter Hwy, luckily I checked and fixed before we proceeded.

[letsgocrabbing]

I have a hayman reece set up with detachable drawbar. I find as long as I dip the towbar assembly in salt water, which I do regularly on the ramps I use, that everything tightens up nicely with no play possible, Recommend this methodology for those that don't know how to determine whether a towball is loose or not. Can assure you there won't be any knock noises and the ball will remain solid on the bar.

Getting the drawbar back out only requires a chain to the towbar, then attached to the nearest sturdy gum, selection of low range on the 4wd and a solid sledge hammer. Quick and easy!