Hitch damper on small trailer

[Carl-H]

Hi, just bought a small box trailer for a mx bike. Driving it home I noticed everything I pull off the car moves about 8 inches then the trailer snatches with a bang. Almost as if it's connected by a strap instead.

I can move the damper forward and back by hand so I'm guessing that's buggered?

Am I able to lock the damper some how (with a bar or something) in the fully extended position or will it cause towing problems? Total weight of the trailer is unlikely to ever be over 350kgs so it's not too heavy. Or is it a case of a new damper?

Thanks, Carl

[HustleRussell]

I didn't realise unbraked trailers had them?

[Carl-H]

No nor me although it's the first trailer I've bought. Can't see a need for it really. Trailer is only rated to 600kg behind an impreza wrx so I think I might just bolt it up?

[paintman]

Is there a weight plate on the trailer & what does it say?
Was the trailer fitted with brakes that have been removed?

[Carl-H]

600kg on the plate and it has a handbrake but I didn't think it was braked whilst travelling?

[one eyed mick]

If it has a damper and a hand brake it is may be braked but that far out of adjustment they don't work and also the the damper may be goosed or not even connected to the brakes I would advie a thorough check of the system remembering that the brakes should be adjusted first [with cables slack ] and then adjust the cables hth

[paintman]

Is the handbrake a lever directly behind the back of the hitch?
Does the hitch look like this? https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=spring+damped+co...

[Carl-H]

Would setting the brakes up properly solve the issue with the damper?

And my handbrake is behind the hitch yes, but the hitch doesn't look like the one in the photo. I can reach underneath and get my fingers round the damper easy. There's 2 grease nipples just above the damper too

[Spangles]

Was it a new trailer or bodged 2ndhand one?

[paintman]

Any chance of posting pics of the hitch?
If it is new then taking it back as defective would be an option.

[Carl-H]

It's a second hand trailer. Not bodged but not been used much recently

Edited by Carl-H on Wednesday 29th April 21:56

[Carl-H]

[Carl-H]

Hopefully the photos are okay. I'm tempted to fit a non braked hitch to it and do away with the brakes. Apparently they're pretty cheap.

This trailer is braked while moving btw. Had a better look over it earlier. Not ure how well they work but I can see how they're supposed to. I've no need for a handbrake tbh so I think I'll get rid of it all.

The trailer is plated at 600kg but there's a stamp saying 900kg too. It'll never be over 3-400

Thanks for all your help so far, much appreciated.

[paintman]

Normal caravan/trailer A-frame Delta type braked coupling.
The raised lump on the top of where the towball sits suggests it could be by Al-Ko - have a look at these:
http://www.trailertek.com/acatalog/Delta.html
If it moves in & out without any/little resistance it sounds like the overrun damper has had it.
This may be of interest: http://www.westerntowing.co.uk/acatalog/Coupling_D...

[Carl-H]

Ahh that's excellent info thanks!

Would I be able to do away with the braked system and fit this hitch. 5th one down
www.trailertek.com/acatalog/Unbraked_Couplings.htm...

[Carl-H]

Problem solved! Took the actual coupling off and noticed the inners of the damper weren't connected up! No wonder it was bad, the only thing slowing down the movement was the friction of the post sliding.

I've tried it and it works perfect now. Lovely and smooth and the brakes work too.

Thanks everyone for all your help, just wish I'd of took to it with the tools sooner

[paintman]

Excellent. And a cheap fix