Damper Issues?

[Ian M]

So finally got fed up with the trailer giving the car a thump up the .....towbar when I brake. Formed the opinion that the chief suspect must be the coupling damper (is that the right name?). So I stripped down the coupling to find a little rubber ring dangling on the damper tube, which did not seem right. The ring can be seen in the first picture. It had got a little mashed during its time hanging around. So I visited the local trailer specialists who were able to supply another of these little ring bump stops, and also checked out the damper for me. They said the damper was OK.
So I re-assembled the coupling as you can see in the picture sequence. I adjusted the brakes and went for the test drive full of confidence. I braked for the first corner and "thump", another whack up the towbar. I don't think that I am unduly sensitive but this is making towing a pain.
The brakes were adjusted right up, so that a short trip around the block left the hubs quite hot. Oh, and I get a thump not only when I brake, but as I pull away there is also a thump, the severity depending on how hard I accelerate. I think that despite what I have been told the damper is shot. Can anyone who has more experience than me of these things pass an opinion?
Oh, and big thanks to Trailer Guy for his description of how to get to the damper - wonderfully helpful. Cheers mate

[Landlockedpirate]

Your symptoms are exactly the same as mine, new damper solved the problem.

[hadd]

Hi Ian,change the damper as well I had the same problem a few weeks ago coming back from Oban, my hitch is the same one as yours I took the old damper out it looked ok & seem to work fine thought till I got the new damper I could push the hitch in on my own before but can't now with the new damper fitted bought the damper from info@towingandtrailers.co.uk delivered in 2day

[Nos4r2]

Yes, your damper is shot. Be careful-it can knock you off the road if it really goes.

I had to be recovered from Falmouth a few years ago when the same damper blew as when I had to brake while cornering in an emergecy, the rear of the 4x4 started to let go.

Mine went with a bang though and dumped all the oil in a puddle, so probably worse than yours is at the moment.

[Tino]

I had the same problem. A new damper solved the problem.

[Ian M]

Thanks guys for the responses. I am reassured
I have just been to the local trailer emporium to get a new damper, and come away with what I think is a direct replacement. I am not saying that I do not now trust them, but I was told that for Bradley hitches, if the damper has the same fittings, and is the same dimensionally it will be for the right weight trailer, ie the damping/spring rate will be correct. Is this true?

[Nos4r2]

I'm not sure.It needs to be the corrrect damper for the hitch part number and hitch rated weight from memory.

[hadd]

Originally Posted by Ian M

Thanks guys for the responses. I am reassured
I have just been to the local trailer emporium to get a new damper, and come away with what I think is a direct replacement. I am not saying that I do not now trust them, but I was told that for Bradley hitches, if the damper has the same fittings, and is the same dimensionally it will be for the right weight trailer, ie the damping/spring rate will be correct. Is this true?

Think you're hitch is a bradley 2000kg hitch it looks the same as mine so you will need the right damper for that hitch

[AJ.]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

I'm not sure.It needs to be the corrrect damper for the hitch part number and hitch rated weight from memory.

Looks like a Bradley 2000. Agree with NOS

[AJ.]

If it is a 2000 and you bought Bradley original it should be kit 3407

[Ian M]

Thanks again guys, looks like I have been given duff info AGAIN. My coupling is a 2000S80. Finally been able to make sense of the Bradley web site and looks like AJ gets the prize, kit 3407. Bugger, I've got kit 260
Looks like I will not be fitting it tonight

[AJ.]

Originally Posted by Ian M

Thanks again guys, looks like I have been given duff info AGAIN. My coupling is a 2000S80. Finally been able to make sense of the Bradley web site and looks like AJ gets the prize, kit 3407. Bugger, I've got kit 260
Looks like I will not be fitting it tonight

Been there on Bradley's website clear as mud

[hadd]

Originally Posted by AJ.

If it is a 2000 and you bought Bradley original it should be kit 3407

Yep that's the one kit 3407

[Nos4r2]

If it's any consolation, I've been having 'fun' with another trailer centre this week as well. Ordered and paid for a 9m, 60mm, 2000kg rated winch strap-what turned up was a 9m,50mm strap rated for 1000kg-with the wrong item on the invoice-and the price for the one I wanted.
Rang them and was told 'it's the same strap'...despite them having different part numbers on the stitched on label, and not being wide enough...

Fair play to them,after I 'enlightened' them they sorted it out and I got the right one in the post the next day, but if I hadn't noticed their mistake it could have been a bit serious.

[Ian M]

I managed to exchange the damper kit for the correct Bradley 3407 kit. No more thumping from the tow bar area, magic I think that the trailer tows better than it has ever done, well it did sit for two years while Jianna was, ahem, assembled