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Old 08-22-2011, 03:18 AM   #1
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Question Any solutions to Hitch Rattle???

When the trailer isn't hitched I'm hearing a lot of rattle coming from the hitch area? I suspect its because of the play between receiver and shank. Has anyone encountered this before and resolved the issue? I see all kinds of anti-hitch devices on the market but which one works for weight distribution systems? I get horizontal and vertical play in mine when the trailer isn't attatched. Any help would be appreciated.
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Old 08-22-2011, 07:24 AM   #2
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Yes remove the hitch when the trl is unhooked.
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Old 08-22-2011, 07:33 AM   #3
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Yes remove the hitch when the trl is unhooked.
x2

I just take mine out. I don't like it hanging out waiting to strike at some unsuspecting shin.
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Old 08-23-2011, 02:59 AM   #4
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I agree that taking it out is the true solution but I like to leave it in if I'm going to be hooking the trailer back up within a few days. To keep taking it in and out starts to be another chore so I'm looking for a good product that I can use to stabilize the hitch. I know blue ox makes several immobilizers but I'm looking to see if anyone has had good luck with another product. Here's an example of one blue ox hitch immobilizer:
Blue Ox Hitch Receiver Immobilizer II - 2" Hitches Blue Ox Hitch Accessories BX88224

If I know I'm not going to use the trailer for a week or so, I remove it as I wouldn't want to walk into it.
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Old 08-23-2011, 06:20 AM   #5
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Yes remove the hitch when the trl is unhooked.
x3 even if its a few days between trips. I use my truck as my daily driver and don't want someone (me) to get banged up at a store parking lot. you could also turn up the volume on the stereo
maybe you could try a plastic toilet shim: Shop Plumb Pak Nylon Toilet Shims - Hard Plastic at Lowes.com
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Old 08-23-2011, 06:31 AM   #6
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x3 even if its a few days between trips. I use my truck as my daily driver and don't want someone (me) to get banged up at a store parking lot. you could also turn up the volume on the stereo
maybe you could try a plastic toilet shim: Shop Plumb Pak Nylon Toilet Shims - Hard Plastic at Lowes.com
Hey Tent, there are (8) shims in that package,since I am going thru (Hard times) could you send me (2) of those shims? Youroo!!
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Old 08-23-2011, 06:47 AM   #7
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If you really need to keep it in the TV then try using a couple of bungiee cords wrapped around the ball and the hooked to the chain points. This should stop the rattle.
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Old 08-23-2011, 07:12 AM   #8
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If there is enough room, get one of these

and cut out a piece that you can slip in between the tube and the shank. Might help and will cost all of 1 buck.

On second thought, Camelot is a silly place.
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Old 08-23-2011, 07:34 AM   #9
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Hey Tent, there are (8) shims in that package,since I am going thru (Hard times) could you send me (2) of those shims? Youroo!!
you only need one LOL!!
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Old 08-23-2011, 08:30 AM   #10
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My hitch was unusually lose when towing. I made this to to tighten things up:

Click image for larger version

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There is a 4th side, but I left that off to take the photo.
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Old 08-23-2011, 08:44 AM   #11
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Most of the trailer parts you can buy will work but why when Redneck Engineering saves the day!

On a serious note, if you take your hitch out, be sure it doesn't run off. It seems others have a tendency to want the hitch more than you do.
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Old 08-23-2011, 09:02 AM   #12
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Most of the trailer parts you can buy will work but why when Redneck Engineering saves the day!
Hey, are you calling me a Redneck ?? I happen to resemble that.
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Old 08-23-2011, 09:15 AM   #13
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I guess it takes one to know one! I have used alot of my own engeneering ideas my wife said would never work. On the few that don't, she says I told you so. But says little when they do! I try to keep her quiet as possible!
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Old 08-26-2011, 06:30 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by tentcamper1 View Post
x3 even if its a few days between trips. I use my truck as my daily driver and don't want someone (me) to get banged up at a store parking lot. you could also turn up the volume on the stereo
maybe you could try a plastic toilet shim: Shop Plumb Pak Nylon Toilet Shims - Hard Plastic at Lowes.com
Tentcamper,We want to Thank you for the shim. It saved us a lot of money in these hard times! I instaled it under the Toilet like the instructions said but our Hitch still rattles & makes noise! Your Friend, Youroo!!
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Old 10-22-2011, 07:29 PM   #15
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Drill a 5/16"dia hole and use a 3/8" UNC tap in the collar around the receiver and install a 3/8" bolt with a lock nut. Install the hitch and tighten the 3/8" bolt and locknut. Hitch is now noiseless.
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Old 10-30-2011, 08:50 PM   #16
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I drilled and tapped a 3/8-16 hole in the collar on the side of the receiver and installed a 3/8 x 1-1/2" gr 8 bolt & lock nut. Screwed the bolt in against the hitch bar until it was tight and then tightened the lock nut. This holds the hitch to the tube and prevents movement. Has worked for yrs on several different tv we've had over the last 35 yrs. Also acts as another deterent from theft if someone cuts the padlock in the hitch pin.
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Old 10-31-2011, 05:58 AM   #17
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Do you have any photos of this set up? Sounds simple yet effective.
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Old 10-31-2011, 06:49 PM   #18
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Sorry for the blurry pictures, took them in the dark just a few minutes ago.
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Old 11-02-2011, 10:44 AM   #19
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I can see that this will eliminate the horizontal movement but would it stop the up and down movement.
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Old 11-02-2011, 10:57 AM   #20
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Anti Rattle Device

See this video link:



Etrailer click here for other choices:

http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Hitc...Pin_Style.aspx
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