Help me eliminate that blasted hitch banging and clanging.

[ron]

[p]Hey CL forum.[/p][p]
[/p][p]After my one year of towing, I still am not happy with all that banging and clanging that goes on behind me.   [ I wish I have looked at other tow assemblies at the Table Rock assembly, but I did not] [/p][p]
[/p][p]I have used a Stow Away hitch tightener, shown in the video, to remove a good bit of the slop and banging of the receiver into the truck, but I still have some noise.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Can you help me with suggestions to eliminate the noise of the hitch ball clanging around in the socket?[/p][p]
[/p][p]NOTE, after this video was shot, I tightened the bolt inside the Camplite receiver by turning it with a 3/4" wrench.  I turned it only 4 flat sides of a hex bolt with six sides, so I got basically 2/3rds of a turn.  This did indeed tighten up a bit of the slop in the ball to receiver joint.  I indicate on the video that I have 3/16" up and down slop in the ball/socket and after the 2/3rds turn, I have probably reduced this to 1/8". [/p][p]
[/p][p]Not knowing the engineering parameters with a trailer ball and socket, I was/am reluctant to do this much more.   I can guess that one would not want this super tight, as the trailer would not flex as needed when the trailer/truck went into parking lots, etc.  [/p][p]
[/p][p]Your thoughts?  Should I turn the bolt a bit further? [/p][p]
[/p][p]Many thanks, here is to quiet towing and low light, bright star camping.  [/p][p]
[/p][p]https://youtu.be/be-KCHKffJQ[/p]

[joanne]

For the receiver slop, I've had some success with both the [a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CNYK1E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1"]softride hitch[/a] and the [a href="http://www.shockerhitch.com/Receiver_Hitch.php"]shocker hitch[/a], and marginal success by simply shimming the hitch with strips of sheet metal.  I've had less luck with things like [a href="http://www.amazon.com/Softride-25219-QuietRide-Hitch-Pin/dp/B000T5BI8Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1430882841&sr=1-1"]this[/a].

Right now, the Shocker is my favorite.

For ball/socket slop, make sure that you have a 2" ball - if you have that much slop, it sounds like it's a 1-7/8 ball. If it's the correct ball, then I'd tighten up the latch bolt until the slop goes away. I adjusted mine so that ther is no ball/socket slop.

[tinkeringtechie]

[quote source="/post/10402/thread" author="@michael" timestamp="1430883292"]
For ball/socket slop, make sure that you have a 2" ball - if you have that much slop, it sounds like it's a 1-7/8 ball.
[/quote]^This X100.

It bothers me that they make the ball sizes so close that they almost work and they're visually almost indistinguishable (except the little number on the top). They should all just use 2-5/16" and then there wouldn't be any confusion. Maybe color-code the ball and use a matching color on the receiver.

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/10410/thread" author="@tinkeringtechie" timestamp="1430919053"] They should all just use 2-5/16" and then there wouldn't be any confusion.[/quote][font size="3"]Roger that!
[/font]

[pinstriper]

Also verify you have the right shank on the ball. No reason for slop, the shank of the ball should fill the hole in the hitch. Otherwise you have the wrong size.

[peislander]

[quote source="/post/10412/thread" timestamp="1430919429" author="@pinstriper"]Also verify you have the right shank on the ball. No reason for slop, the shank of the ball should fill the hole in the hitch. Otherwise you have the wrong size.[/quote]Good point. My equalizer hitch required a ball shank diameter of 1-1/4" and everywhere I looked the stores had 1" diameter shank models in stock. I had to find the right one on amazon & import it into Canada to get the recommended shank diameter & length. I'd bet many people have installed the smaller diameter shank ball without knowing the difference. Using the wrong size could introduce some play but hopefully those balls are torqued enough to not be sliding around in the hole.

Hitch manufacturers seem to all recommend using ball lubricants - it is amazing to me how many people disregard that advice. Lubrication should lessen at least some of the steel-on-steel noise but not the banging & clanking. 

[ron]

Thanks.   I definately have a 2 " marked ball, but I may get some calipers and measure it.  Ball shank is correct also.

I suspect that tightening the adjustment bolt will help a good bit, but I have been waiting to do anything until I hear from all who have input.  I do value all this input.

 I like the air bladder hitch from Michael, but not the cost.  

I was just unsure of what is too tight.

Thanks.

[charliem]

[font size="3"]Ron,

Have you measured your tongue weight? I've never heard of this type of problem at the ball-coupler interface. I'm wondering if you are very light on the tongue, which can be dangerous.
[/font]

[sandyu]

This works like a dream for me. I had a lot of "slop or play" making lots cluncking banging sounds. This little thing is cheap, simple, and works. Trust me and try it.
http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Accessories/Roadmaster/RM-061.html

[pinstriper]

[quote timestamp="1430928699" source="/post/10417/thread" author="@peislander"]

Also verify you have the right shank on the ball. No reason for slop, the shank of the ball should fill the hole in the hitch. Otherwise you have the wrong size.

Good point. My equalizer hitch required a ball shank diameter of 1-1/4" and everywhere I looked the stores had 1" diameter shank models in stock. I had to find the right one on amazon & import it into Canada to get the recommended shank diameter & length. I'd bet many people have installed the smaller diameter shank ball without knowing the difference. Using the wrong size could introduce some play but hopefully those balls are torqued enough to not be sliding around in the hole.

Hitch manufacturers seem to all recommend using ball lubricants - it is amazing to me how many people disregard that advice. Lubrication should lessen at least some of the steel-on-steel noise but not the banging & clanking. 


[/quote][p]Yep, and if the shank is moving around in the hole, the engineering moves from static loads to dynamic loads. I wouldn't want any movement of the ball in the hitch, or the hitch in the receiver. Are we sure the hitch pin is the correct size ? It might not be the ball moving, but the hitch sliding back and forth in the receiver tube.[/p][p]
[/p]

[ron]

Hi KYBrowns, hope the beach trip was fun.  Your link led to an item very much like the Stow Away hitch tightener, and it looked a bit better made than the hitch tightener.   But mine takes all the slop out of this area, so I am goo.  

I think if anything, I am heavy on the tongue.  I pile the bed full of items for this purpose.  

Do note that it does not bang much, it is just that any banging is of concern, related to metal fatigue.   I do think that more tightening of the adjustment bolt will help.  I will do that in a day or two, we head out for a short trip next week.

Pin is correct size, and even if it were not, the tightness of the Stow Away tightener would prevent movement.  

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001CMUV4/?tag=mh0b-20&hvadid=3486878345&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_8jia28st9f_e


thanks for all the suggestions.

[sandyu]

Trip was great. Weather was nice. Girls braved the cold water no problem, me not so much.
I'm sure what you ordered will solve your problem. It made a huge difference for me.