WDH creaking and groaning

[Skippy38]

Is this normal? I have it set up as close to optimal as I can and TT pulls perfectly with no sway or bounce at all. However when turning it really creaks and groans. I don't really care because it pulls so well, but sometimes it is a little embarrassing pulling into places. Is this anything to worry about?

[MtnGuy]

What WDH ?? There are a few things you can do to lessen the noise, depending on the which WDH you are using.

[Skippy38]

Reese Pro Series with flat weight bars. I do use a VERY light coating of WD40 on the ball and a little spray white lithium grease on the weight bars. Setup looks like this below:

[OldCoot]

If it were me, I would apply a liberal amount of wheel bearing grease to the large end of the bars and in their socket as well as the hitch ball and the sway bar balls and sockets. Spraying lithium on the chain links also reduces noise.

[Skippy38]

Wow, I did not realize that you could use that much grease on the hitch components. I guess that is makes sense though...."the squeaky wheel gets the grease"

[techntrek]

Just to be clear for anyone coming across this thread later - if your WDH includes friction points intended to reduce or eliminate sway (L brackets on a Equalizer or E2, or the cams on a Dual Cam, for example), those areas should NEVER be lubricated.

[LandJ]

I have the same hitch, the noise is likely coming from the friction sway control. Loosen it up for testing, and I'll bet it disappears.

[BooBoo23]

I agree with Landj, the noise is coming from your sway bar. It may be just a tad too tight but at least you know it is working. Do not put any lubricant on it!!

[Skippy38]

Curious. I have moved the rig without the sway bar on and get the same noise so I am not sure that lightening it would help. At any rate I do not run it with it cranked all the way down anyways, and I would never lube the bar only the ball & socket joint. I guess I will have to experiment some more...

[itat]

Originally Posted by techntrek

Just to be clear for anyone coming across this thread later - if your WDH includes friction points intended to reduce or eliminate sway (L brackets on a Equalizer or E2, or the cams on a Dual Cam, for example), those areas should NEVER be lubricated.

Incorrect, at least for the Equal-i-zer hitch. Equal-i-zer advises to use a lubricant with their hitch to reduce noise. In fact, they sell a "high performance lubricant" in a small white tube. I apply bearing grease on the friction surfaces of the hitch head and use their "Sway Bracket Jackets" on the L brackets. It still moans some but not as bad as it did without any lubricant.

[techntrek]

Originally Posted by Skippy38

Curious. I have moved the rig without the sway bar on and get the same noise so I am not sure that lightening it would help. At any rate I do not run it with it cranked all the way down anyways, and I would never lube the bar only the ball & socket joint. I guess I will have to experiment some more...

I guarantee the noise is coming from the sockets on the hitch head.

[techntrek]

Originally Posted by itat

Incorrect, at least for the Equal-i-zer hitch. Equal-i-zer advises to use a lubricant with their hitch to reduce noise. In fact, they sell a "high performance lubricant" in a small white tube. I apply bearing grease on the friction surfaces of the hitch head and use their "Sway Bracket Jackets" on the L brackets. It still moans some but not as bad as it did without any lubricant.

You can lube the sockets, but lubricant on the L brackets defeats the whole point of having sway control built into the WDH. It would be like putting grease on a sway bar - you might as well not even put the sway bar on.

[LandJ]

Originally Posted by Skippy38

Curious. I have moved the rig without the sway bar on and get the same noise so I am not sure that lightening it would help. At any rate I do not run it with it cranked all the way down anyways, and I would never lube the bar only the ball & socket joint. I guess I will have to experiment some more...

Must be the sockets, then. Mine is still new.... mine groans like mad from the sway bar. Take it off, and it's silent. Grease it up!

[beechjet16mf]

My Reese WDH sway bars make a groaning noise when I turn, but it is because of the friction control bars being cranked down tight. I assume, yes, I know what assume means, that it is normal. It's been that way since we bought the trailer, and from what I can find out, they aren't supposed to be lubed, just the balls and sockets. The system works well for me.

[Ida Ratherbe Camping]

Whenever I check in at the campsite. I remove my sway control. Lot less noise, and yes I do grease the hitch and the lift bars in the proper spots.

[gfarmcafe]

The Equal-i-zer installation manual states their high performance lubricant on the L brackets is optional to reduce noise, which we use and is very effective. They also have a "slip on" jacket that can be used for the same purpose. Both are for available on their website. The only disadvantage to the grease is the mess it creates when handling the bars. Gloves are a must!

[DreiHunde]

Originally Posted by gfarmcafe

The Equal-i-zer installation manual states their high performance lubricant on the L brackets is optional to reduce noise, which we use and is very effective. They also have a "slip on" jacket that can be used for the same purpose. Both are for available on their website. The only disadvantage to the grease is the mess it creates when handling the bars. Gloves are a must!

X1!

[itat]

Originally Posted by techntrek

You can lube the sockets, but lubricant on the L brackets defeats the whole point of having sway control built into the WDH. It would be like putting grease on a sway bar - you might as well not even put the sway bar on.

Techntrek, do you have an Equal-i-zer hitch? If so, you haven't read the manuals or the info on their website. I don't know where you're getting your info because it's not correct.

The manufacturer says you can use lube on the friction surfaces on the hitch head and on the L brackets. I checked with Steve Binks from Equal-i-zer and he confirmed that bearing grease is an acceptable lubricant. I bought the "Sway Bracket Jackets" for the L brackets to avoid the mess using lubricant, but I use bearing grease on the hitch head. I didn't notice any difference in the effectiveness of the anti-sway when using the lube. Just make sure everything is torqued to spec and you're fine.

Even with the lube, it still creaks and moans but just not as much as without it. The creaking and moaning means there is friction and the hitch is doing it's job.

[KDHfan]

Originally Posted by gfarmcafe

The Equal-i-zer installation manual states their high performance lubricant on the L brackets is optional to reduce noise, which we use and is very effective. They also have a "slip on" jacket that can be used for the same purpose. Both are for available on their website. The only disadvantage to the grease is the mess it creates when handling the bars. Gloves are a must!

I greased my E4 the first summer... Finally decided this summer that the groans were less annoying than getting grease on my shirt, shorts, hands, etc...


2015 Coachmen Apex 288BHS
2014 Toyota Tundra 5.7L CrewMax

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[youroo]

Friction Sway Control and Lubrication always (Humorous Reading)! I hope they don't apply their Theories on Brakes!! Yes it is the EASY way for MFG. to (Sell/Tell) customers to reduce Friction /Noise by Lubing! Youroo!!