Possible clutch damage after towing

[dom14]

Hi Guys,
Mine is a RB30 manual Patrol on carby.
The other day, I had to move my small caravan from one spot to the other.
Van is a 11 foot fairly lightweight one. I only added about extra 20 to 30kg recently by doing some floor repair.
When I was towing forward, it went ok
But, when I was backing up to the driveway, I started smelling a "funny" smell coming from the engine bay.
It's similar to the burning clutch smell, but may be slightly different.(burning clutch+brake oil ?!)
Smell was still there in the engine bay even a day after.
As you guys might know, clutch pedal is hydraulic.
I've never had to do anything with the clutch for about five years now.
I'm wondering whether I've done some clutch damage.
The reason for that is that I'm feeling the clutch differently now.
When backing up, vehicle tend to shake more as it's from a rough clutch.
Going forward isn't that bad, but it tend to do the same thing occasionally, but less aggressive.

1)Have I done some clutch damage?
2)How do I find out if the clutch's on it's way?
3)What tests can I do to confirm the clutch is up to scratch with towing the van

BTW, when I was backing up the van, it wasn't a steep climb. It was fairly flat ground, except I had to go over four or five inches of
the curb to push the van into the driveway. I did the backing up on two wheels. I didn't think 4WD was necessary at that time.

Thanks for any help guys.

[Stropp]

i would say yes the clutch is damaged, back up to something solid and let the clutch out slowly without too many revs and if it stalls or bogs down the clutch is ok if not shes had it.

[dom14]

i would say yes the clutch is damaged, back up to something solid and let the clutch out slowly without too many revs and if it stalls or bogs down the clutch is ok if not shes had it.

Hi mate, If I understood you correctly, you want me to park back(or front) of the car against a tree or a wall or something and then let it go and see whether it stalls.
Am I right?

[threedogs]

were you riding the clutch that much,
I used to put it Low low in my other 4x4 to park my camper more control I felt
Lucky I have an auto now so dont worry about it

[Winnie]

I used to put it Low low in my other 4x4 to park my camper more control I felt

Yeah that's what I do too, I'm not the best reverser with a trailer so makes it easier for me haha

[threedogs]

Im getting better, all you do is follow the trailer easy eh lol

[threedogs]

Hi mate, If I understood you correctly, you want me to park back(or front) of the car against a tree or a wall or something and then let it go and see whether it stalls.
Am I right?

take it for a drive find a hill and give it some berries listen to the revs if the clutch is fubar the revs will spin up

[dom14]

take it for a drive find a hill and give it some berries listen to the revs if the clutch is fubar the revs will spin up

Ok, cool. I'll do that, perhaps with the loaded trailer or van attached to it as well.

[dom14]

Yeah that's what I do too, I'm not the best reverser with a trailer so makes it easier for me haha

I find the heavier the trailer/caravan, more control I have with reversing. I find it bit a of PITA to reverse the lightweight trailer without any weight on it.
When the trailer is heavy, it seems to be doing what I'm asking it to do. When the trailer is lightweight, I had to yell at it.

[dom14]

What on earth was that funny smell?!!! I swear, it wasn't the standard clutch plate grinding/burning smell.
I need to get to the bottom of it. There was something else in the smell. Perhaps a hydraulic oil(brake oil?) leak?!