Receiver Hitch clamp. Do you recommend them?

[BiigDaddy]

Does anyone use or recommend a hitch receiver clamp in their rig to stop hitch movement? On the same token, do you want the receiver to move? I could potentially see the arguments for and against them. My receiver does have a good amount of play in it and was considering one of these clamps.

I searched the threads and couldn't find an answer.


Brophy 2" Receiver Hitch Stabilizer Clamp and U-Bolt - Black Powder Coat Brophy Hitch Accessories RSCP

[quackor]

Those come in very handy for keeping bike racks from bouncing all over the place, but based on the description on the site I'm not sure it'd be advised for towing:

• Stabilizes hitch accessories to eliminate rattle and prevent damage
• Fits most 2" hitch cargo carriers, bike racks, steps, and other non-towing applications

[MtnGuy]

What prevents side to side motion with the Brophy clamp ??

I made some shims that are locked in place by the pin.



There is a 4th side, but I left that off for the picture.



And this was a solution by 1 member using a hose clamp:

[OldCoot]

Drill and tap thru the collar for a 3/8" bolt on the side and run a 3/8" gr 8 bolt with a nut to lock it in sideways and the spring bars will keep it tight up and down.

[BiigDaddy]

I was using the Brophy clamp as an example, I know there's a bunch of ways to clamp/secure a receiver.

So there isn't a down side to securing it? I wasn't sure if the bit of play was there for a reason or not. Thanks everyone!!

I really like the drilled and tapped idea you had OC, I think we have a winner on that method!

[BiigDaddy]

Looking closer OC, you drilled through the collar piece correct? Oh, and I like what looks to be some extra 'Light' for a hitch cap

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by BiigDaddy

Looking closer OC, you drilled through the collar piece correct? Oh, and I like what looks to be some extra 'Light' for a hitch cap

Yes, drilled thru' the collar and the hitch cover is an Arkansas State Masonic emblem on a bronze slug.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by BiigDaddy

Does anyone use or recommend a hitch receiver clamp in their rig to stop hitch movement? On the same token, do you want the receiver to move? I could potentially see the arguments for and against them. My receiver does have a good amount of play in it and was considering one of these clamps.

I searched the threads and couldn't find an answer.


Brophy 2" Receiver Hitch Stabilizer Clamp and U-Bolt - Black Powder Coat Brophy Hitch Accessories RSCP

When (Hooked Up Ready to Go) with the Rockwood,bars set,I bet you have (NO) play in your Receiver! Just stop (Wiggling) it when unhooked! Youroo!! Slop is Standard in a Hitch Assy!

[BiigDaddy]

I now have a project for the weekend...Thanks OC! That slug is awesome, it looks nice and On Level too!

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by youroo

...Slop is Standard in a Hitch Assy!

Never was on mine since about 1975!

[BiigDaddy]

Originally Posted by youroo

Just stop (Wiggling) it when unhooked! Youroo!! Slop is Standard in a Hitch Assy!

I laughed out loud on that part!

[thebrakeman]

The play is only there because nothing's perfect. If they made the tolerances so close that there was no movement, you would have even more people with drawbars rusted solid to the hitch. Then again, some feel it's stylish to leave the drawbar in place....

I believe I have seen some special pins that provide the side-loading as well. I'm talking about the pin that holds the drawbar in place.

[goduc]

Only thing a hitch clamp is good for is to keep the WD head from rattling around if you leave it in there and drive around on a bumpy road. It won't make your towing experience any better.

[pappcam]

There's no play once the TT is hooked up and the WDH bars are installed. It would only be an issue if it bothers you that it's a little loose with no weight on it. I don't drive around with my hitch in the receiver myself so it's not an issue for me.

[ironj]

That hitch head sure is loud as all when in mine loose...the w/d levrage it against the top so absolutely no play when attached....but the thunderous banging while unloaded is too annoying...so I never leave mine on whiile empty. ...

sent from fat fingers via a space dish thing with no regard to grammer.

[OldCoot]

That's the beauty of drilling and taping the collar for a bolt to tighten it. Once you tighten it, you don't have to lift the heavy, greasy thing and store it. Just leave it in for bumper protection.

Takes about 20 minutes and it's good for life!

[pappcam]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

That's the beauty of drilling and taping the collar for a bolt to tighten it. Once you tighten it, you don't have to lift the heavy, greasy thing and store it. Just leave it in for bumper protection.

Takes about 20 minutes and it's good for life!

There's a much better chance of me or someone getting kneecapped on that stupid thing sticking out of the back of my truck than there is of someone rear ending me while I'm out camping.

[ironj]

Originally Posted by pappcam

There's a much better chance of me or someone getting kneecapped on that stupid thing sticking out of the back of my truck than there is of someone rear ending me while I'm out camping.

yup...or brush my clean pants on the greasy parts walking by.......ive been rear ended with my hitch head in tho...on a different lifted truck....punched a hole straight through the grill/rad/fan/and broke the intake of their car....and when i pulled fwd to pull over it pulled off the majority of their front end plastic...ouch..

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[BiigDaddy]

I usually leave my towing hitch on during the camping weekend, and have a small standard one for the everyday idiots who can't judge their distance parking....

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[OldCoot]

When we had tongue trailers, once the hitch went in it usually stayed in unless I had to change for a utility trailer and then it went back in. Only takes one leg bump and a few blue words to learn.