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Topic: Tow ball - removing paint

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AlexSmith2023

via mobile 03/7/2023 at 8:35pm
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Hello. I'm a brand new out the box newbie, so forgive me all ignorance! I had a swan neck detachable tow bar fitted recently to enable me to pick up my 2012 Freedom Jetstream and we've done one trip out. I then read that I was supposed to have sanded the paint off the tow ball (it's coming off already), to allow the friction pads to work. But... I don't have a stabiliser so, no friction pads unless there are some in the hitch itself? Please tell me if I
A. Need to clean the paint off the tow ball anyway
B. Need to do A and also somehow clean the hitch of paint inside
C. Stop worrying about the whole thing?!

Supplementary question - is it supposed to be greased, or free from grease?

I do find it hard to get the hitch to engage and disengage, it seems quite temperamental so I am guessing there is something better I could do.

Many thanks!

iank01

04/7/2023 at 8:58am
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I would think that a 2012 caravan has an ALKO hitch with a built in stabiliser? Use a wire brush to clean off all the paint on the towball.

Then remove the pads from inside the hitch and clean them as they will be contaminated and the stabiliser will not work. Plenty of videos on Youtube how to do this. Do not grease the towball under any circumstances.

Colin21

04/7/2023 at 10:44am
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail

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The towball should always be free of paint but you should only grease it if you DO NOT have a stabiliser hitch. As you probably do have one, definitely do not grease the towball. Keep it as clean and grease-free as possible.

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Best Regards,
Colin

AlexSmith2023

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No stabilizer.... Excuse the hitch lock!
So, clean off paint and grease?

Colin21

04/7/2023 at 4:45pm
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That hitch lock looks very similar to mine and I don't think that is a stabiliser hitch. Yes, clean off all the paint and apply some grease or you will get a lot of annoying squeaking from the hitch. My hitch has no stabiliser either, I never use one, and all I do is put a smear of Vaseline on my towball, simply because I had some in the caravan. I'm sure virtually any grease would do.

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Colin

AlexSmith2023

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Thanks for the replies.

navver

04/7/2023 at 7:26pm
Location: West country
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Bear in mind the van is a Freedom Jetstream. Hardly unlikely a stabiliser will be top of the options list.

Paul_B

05/7/2023 at 4:09pm
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It would help if you took a picture without the hitchlock, that would leave no doubt either way

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