Tow Bar Problems On My C5

[Ricksta]

I recently had brakes fitted to my boat trailer which in turn meant a new coupling. I now have a problem where the coupling does not want to let go of the tow ball when I am trying to unhitch the trailer. The coupling works fine on other vehicles.

 

It appears that the car is "following" the trailer up as I lift the trailer, and the hitch requires no weight on the ball to release. I have tried standing on the tow bar and this occasionally works. I have tried lowering the suspension down to the lowest height but again the car just follows it up and eventually crashes to the ground with a very disconcerting thump, and once even came up with a suspension fault warning - which fortunately went away.

 

I am wondering if anyone else has experienced this and what (other than changing the design of the coupling) can be done about it?

[old'uns]

if its 'following' up try raising susp to max height then unhitching?

if its an estate use the switch in boot to lower rear from normal height?

[Johndouglas]

Do you apply the handbrake before uncoupling? Maybe the overrun is active. Uncoupling my caravan is no problem.

[Ricksta]

Do you apply the handbrake before uncoupling? Maybe the overrun is active. Uncoupling my caravan is no problem.

 

Thanks for the reply, so are you suggesting that I do or do not apply the handbrake? I am not sure what you mean by "the overrun".

[Ricksta]

if its 'following' up try raising susp to max height then unhitching?

if its an estate use the switch in boot to lower rear from normal height?

 

Thanks for the reply. Yes I have tried this, but it just seems to make the situation worse. It is a sedan, not an estate.

[Guest TrevNotts]

Thanks for the reply. Yes I have tried this, but it just seems to make the situation worse. It is a sedan, not an estate.

Hi I tow with my C5 quite a lot and find if you set the suspension on the one up from normal setting(orange light) and set your jockey wheel if your trailer has one then set your suspension back to normal it unhitches fine. If you don't have a jockey wheel try setting suspension on orange wait for it to settle then switch back to green get straight out and unhitch. This means your suspension is going down as you unhitch. This works for me but you do have to be a bit patient, my suspesion is a bit sluggish at times.

[Johndouglas]

I am not sure what you mean by "the overrun".

 

Overrun is when the trailer coupling is squashed; the brakes are operating and the trailer is pushing the car. Yes! the handbrake should be on before uncoupling, but with the coupoling relaxed.