Dare I tow to Devon and back?!?

[beammeup6375]

Hi folks, I'm off for a weeks caravanning in Devon very soon.
My front driveshafts sound terrible, rattling and knocking! I've come to the conclusion from searching the forum that the bronze bushes and/or the driveshaft endfloat need sorting.
The question I have now is...Is it safe for me tow my caravan on a 500 mile round trip before sorting the cars problems or is there a chance I'll end up breaking down?
I've posted a pic of my outfit purely because the surf looks so cool hitched to the van, apart from the lack of mud on it! Damned rain!!

Thanks in advance for any advice

[Tankerman]

That's an urban bus with an axle removed!

[Diezel Weazel]

Hi folks, I'm off for a weeks caravanning in Devon very soon.
My front driveshafts sound terrible, rattling and knocking! I've come to the conclusion from searching the forum that the bronze bushes and/or the driveshaft endfloat need sorting.
The question I have now is...Is it safe for me tow my caravan on a 500 mile round trip before sorting the cars problems or is there a chance I'll end up breaking down?
I've posted a pic of my outfit purely because the surf looks so cool hitched to the van, apart from the lack of mud on it! Damned rain!!

Thanks in advance for any advice

First off... sorry if it's sounds long winded !! Safety First
1/ If it was me I'd pinpoint n rectify the Rattling/knocking before making the Journey .. "piece of mind thing" n to minimize a No problem Holiday as much as possible (that's just me !!)

2/ Ya don't say if your competent or able to do what's needed to put this right, (as ya would with any Vehicle, towing or not) n Not just ya Surf) in which case you'd need to find someone competent, (another Surf owner local to you to Help or do the necessary repair/s) (not just any old Garage rip off merchant that don't know Surf's)

3/ If non of these are practical / possible due to time, Funds or competence, the least ya want is a second opinion on the severity and/or the dangers /consequences if any of not getting it sorted before the Journey !!

4/ I don't know your Truck, so I wont advocate Yes you can or No ya can't n nor would I ... given the facts/info only you would know that !!
eg. Ya have a bald ish tyre as a spare do ya risk not having to use it or replace it with a suitable one before ya leave ....

5/ If what ya say is in fact a correct conclusion of the problem (after a second opinion n all is safe) n the noise is the most worrying/embarrassing thing I can't see any reason why not make the journey ...

6/If ya don't have breakdown Cover, get some !!
Green Flag, Britannia Rescue etc are cheap enough ....

I'm not on commission or associated with other than being a member of a Breakdown Organisation ....
ps. This is only my opinion ....
Good Luck with whatever decision ya make n have a good Holiday

[NiftyNev]

Remove both driveshafts and cover up the end of the steering knuckles to keep crap out of the hubs.

Nev.

[yoshie]

Good example of how the gene pool manages to stay healthy.

[Tig]

As DW, I wouldn't want to risk it - sounds like the problem is an ongoing one that should have been rectified some time ago.

Everyone will differ on opinion but I guess it's all down to a matter of individual priorities.

[Growler]

From personal experience, I'd go with Nev on this one if you can't get it sorted sooner. Just depends on whether or not you know which end of the spanner is which.

At least, with drive shafts out, you will be able to tell if it is the bushes or the bearings that are knackered.

end of the day decision comes down to you.


Oh ! and join a recovery company just in case

[NiftyNev]

If you remove the drive shafts and still have noises, then you better not go anywhere till you fix whatever it is.

Nev.

[beammeup6375]

Thanks for the responses chaps, it probably seems really daft to have left this!!
The reason being that my front bearings had to be adjusted up for the MOT in April, it was mid June when I first noticed the rattle. I've put it off thinking I would replace the bushes and bearings at the same time but time and money has prevented this so far.
I was naively hoping for 'it'll be alright' response, but I'm gonna have to bite the bullet!
All the BJ's, TRE's and ARB links seem rock solid and the rattle stops in 4WD, hence my assumption of bronze bushes!
Cheers again, folks. All opinions and advice very much appreciated!!

[Benross]

I don't have the answer to your question, but I do own a caravan park in Devon! I'll sort you out a bit of discount if you give me a shout!

20% off for all forum members

www.watermouthpark.co.uk

[andyverran]

I don't have the answer to your question, but I do own a caravan park in Devon! I'll sort you out a bit of discount if you give me a shout!

20% off for all forum members

www.watermouthpark.co.uk

Bargain...

[Sancho]

I'm with nev. Just pull the drive shafts

[Benross]

Bargain...

We could have saved a lot of hassle if you had just camped here, you could have brought all the surf bits down and hand delivered/fitted them!

[andyverran]

We could have saved a lot of hassle if you had just camped here, you could have brought all the surf bits down and hand delivered/fitted them!

Lol, yes...oddly enough the other half was quite liking the look of your camp site, but we thought you'd be to busy this time of year.

[Benross]

Lol, yes...oddly enough the other half was quite liking the look of your camp site, but we thought you'd be to busy this time of year.

Yes it's a little busy here at the mo! Best to come in low season, no screaming kids then! Give me a shout if you want to come down and I'll give you a good deal, as you were so kind as to let me borrow some relays!