hitch creaking sound

[dolson60174]

So recently I have noticed that when I am making a corner I get a creaking noise on the hitch. I double checked my connection and all seems tight and correct. also it seems the ball gets a black residue from the trailer hitch. I looked underneath and from what i could tell all looked normal. Has anyone witnessed this? Is it a sign of something about to go awry?? thanks!

[trudinator]

What kind of hitch do you have? A wdh? More info please.....

Thanks!

[Hybrid21SS]

Do you have sway control? They creak sometimes while turning.

[tomjsas]

My Equalizer 4 point groans many times, depending on turn angle, angle of the road, etc...all part of the pieces moving around. Most of mine originates from the rubber sleeves that slip over the L bracket to minimize the metal on metal sound.

[dolson60174]

Originally Posted by Hybrid21SS

Do you have sway control? They creak sometimes while turning.

Yes I have this Hitch (put on by the dealer on my 2005 Grand Cherokee)
http://www.shoprvparts.com/docs/1/5/1/2/15126F-f.jpg

and I do have the sway bars as well.

[recon33alpha]

Mine started doing this as well, funny its only on right hand turns. The black on the ball may be from the paint under the hitch? I don't think its anything to worry about, and don't grease your ball or other parts, they are designed to work together and any lubricant could cause the hitch to slip. This is what I was told anyways, take it for what its worth.

[dolson60174]

copy that on the grease, I heard the same!!! mine started on right turns and now left turns, freaks the wife out every time...it also is when we are in town and doing slow turn onto streets and such...

[Len & Cheri]

Do you have this type of sway control? If so, definitely don't grease it. Some of the other types allow you to use vaseline and grease on certain parts of the hitch.

[dolson60174]

this is a similar setup to what i have....

http://www.shoprvparts.com/docs/1/6/7/6/16764F-f.jpg

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by recon33alpha

Mine started doing this as well, funny its only on right hand turns. The black on the ball may be from the paint under the hitch? I don't think its anything to worry about, and don't grease your ball or other parts, they are designed to work together and any lubricant could cause the hitch to slip. This is what I was told anyways, take it for what its worth.

Have never heard anyone say not to grease the ball or sockets and what can slip? The hitch pivots on the ball and is locked to it. Can see not greasing the cams on a Reese hitch, but not any socket.

[pwrstroke2012]

I had the same sway control device on my old TT and had the same noise. You can lube the ball and sockets just not the slide bar itself. I took the two pieces of the slide and used steel wool to remove the rust and it will help until it rains again. Other than that is the nature of the beast and the noise does not hurt anything.

[lbcarr87]

Dolson60174,
That last link is an Equalizer Hitch. Mine is noisy too but I love the quality of the weight distribution and the anti sway components of this hitch as well as the simple hook up methods. I can put up with the creaking noises it makes.
I do disconnect the bars prior to backing it into my back yard only because it's a pretty tight turn and by not having them on I can get it into the yard easier. I Have never had a problem backing into a campsite with everything on. It does creak quite a bit depending on the angle of approach but I'm ok with that.

[punkaccountant]

It's common...you get used to it. It's kinda embarrassing at first as you drive into the campground but people who have been camping for awhile don't even pay any attention. Have fun camping and don't let those noises get to you.

[jerry1946]

grease the ball on the hitch, if you have the friction type anti-sway that one part slides inside the other, do not grease the slide. grease the 2 balls that hold the sway bar on, but not the sliding part.