2" square reciever opening vs 1 31/32" hitch size=clanking

[ron]

My receiver opening is 2" square on my 2014 Honda Ridgeline. The Reese hitch is about 1 and 30/32" inches or 1 and 31/32".

The sizes may be incorrect, but the theory is correct: the opening is bigger than the hitch, which is necessary to be able to slide the hitch in and out without excessive pressure.

The problem is that there is too much space, and the hitch pivots on its pin, and clangs around when I go over a bump or uneven road. I am towing a 3000 camplite 14dbs with about 350 lbs on the hitch. It does not do this often, but the noise and banging is very undesirable, plus I would think it does not help the long term structural integrity of these hitches.

I put a wooden shim in the receiver and this cured the problem for just a few minutes.  I knew wood would not work, but the shape of a door shim for installing a house door was what I needed to test my theory.   

I am thinking of making some steel shims for a more permanent solution, but this is still not great.  they would most likely work their way out and drop off, so I will need to secure these with a cable or something, or somehow prevent them from coming out.  There has got to be a better way. 

Any suggestions?

[solds88]

Ron,

This may sound crude but it should work, especially if you only need a 32nd or so. Use a big sharp punch and a hammer to raise as many burrs as you require, on the drawbar. If you make the burrs too tall just file them down to get a tight fit. Careful, those new burrs will be pretty sharp.

[mitch]

Maybe just squirt some great stuff foam in the gap before you go.  Seriously though, seems like 1/32 is going to be hard to fill.

[charliem]

[font size="3"]I have never had (heard) this problem, but apparently others have. There are clamping devices available. [a href="https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Hitch_Accessories-sf-Anti~Rattle.aspx"]LINK TO CLAMPS[/a]
[/font]

[djsamuel]

[quote timestamp="1411991799" author="@charliem" source="/post/3921/thread"]

[font size="3"]I have never had (heard) this problem, but apparently others have. There are clamping devices available. [a href="https://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Hitch_Accessories-sf-Anti~Rattle.aspx"]LINK TO CLAMPS[/a]
[/font]
[/quote]
I've heard the Roadmaster Quiet Hitch works very well.  It is simple too.

[drdave]

[p align="justify"]I wrapped my hitch a few times around with duct tape before and after where the pin goes through.    Don't use too much or it can bind coming out.  They do make shims for this, but I found tape works just fine.    [/p]

[subaruwx]

The hitch movement and banging is even worse when you go off-road. I could even feel the play on some bumps. I tried tape, but it was too thick and just scraped off when I inserted the hitch. So I got a clamp to tighten the hitch movement, and it's been wonderfully quiet.  It probably doesn't actually affect tow performance, but it eliminates hitch play and the noise, which means I can better listen for other problems.

http://www.amazon.com/StowAway-Carriers-020-6-Hitch-Tightener/dp/B0001CMUV4

[pinstriper]

Check the pin. An undersized pin can result in a lot of movement and noise, and I'd be worried about that movement creating enough force in an emergency to maybe shear the pin.

[fasteddieb]

In another application I cut some thin aluminum stock to act as a shim and slid it in there.

I may have even used an old license plate for the material, IIRC.

I cut it in a "T" shape to give me something to grip when sliding it in or out.

May just work for you.

[ron]

Thanks folks, very good info.  I hoped there would be something for this issue, I think I may go with the stow away hitch tightened.

Very nice many thanks.