Ever had a FW hitch hurt by rough roads?

[Phenom]

This past week I was on some pretty rough stretches of highway(thank you Oklahoma). Since doing this, my chucking has gone from minimal to quite a lot. Also, I get lots a noise now as well. Banging, squeaking etc. Have any of ever experienced this after some bad roads. I feel like the roads loosened up the hitch somehow.

Hitch is a fairly new Curt A16, and FW is sub 10K lbs loaded.

[NMWildcat]

I check all bolts on hitch and kingpin side at least twice a year, especially if they are fairly new. Some noise is inevitable. A change in chucking can be caused by slight changes in loading, usually more weight in back, less in front.

As far as rough roads hurting anything, I suppose anything is possible, but I have never experienced hitch damage from them.

You said that hitch is fairly new, perhaps this trip was enough to really break it in and loosen it up a bit? Again, check all the bolts/nuts having anything to do with either side of the hitch. If that doesn't satisfy your concern, take it to a professional.

[Phenom]

Thanks for the advice. I'll mess with it some and see what I can come up with.

On the note of load, I do usually travel with the water tank full or nearly full as I thought maybe the ballast was good since its forward of the axles, and most of the trailer's weight is mid to rear. On the way home, I emptied it. Maybe it really does make a big difference.

[DaveandSue]

Maybe it really does make a big difference.

DING DING DING think we have a winner
It does make a big difference.Ours is much better with water in the tank.It'll settle the springs down in the over loads just right.

[Phenom]

So, I looked over the hitch a little closer and discovered a few things. One, it wasn't closing as tight, there was a fair amount of play in the jaws, and the rear jaw somehow got tweaked upwards. Took a quick drive to the installer's and they agreed, it wasn't right. Gave me a replacement head. We'll see how it works. Here's a photo of the old and new. You can see the difference.