lots of play in receiver, shims OK?

[jimmarako]

I have a 2015 Silverado 2500HD that has the factory 2.5" receiver hitch on it. A while back my wife (yes not me) lost the factory 2.5" -> 2" adapter. $30+ seemed steep for a new one so I got some "EZ Travel" brand off Amazon. I figure a hunk of square tube isn't all that complicated.

I never paid much attention when I was just towing the horse trailer. Even last year when I got the Mini Lite I noticed the hitch rattled around but wasn't too concerned. But my new trailer has a 1000+ pound tongue weight so I thinking of fixing it. I also noticed my hitch rattler inside the adapter (its a Fastway E2 WDH).

To keep it short, I found a piece of galvanized sheet metal in the barn. I cut a roughly 2"x6" strip that I was able to fit between the bottom of the adapter and the truck's receiver. I continued doing this until I have a "shim" on the top, bottom and one side of the adapter. I also ended up putting 2 shims between the hitch and the adapter and one on the side. There is a lot less rattle now.

So is this OK to do? I could buy a real GM adapter (or a name brand) but I think there is no guarantee they wouldn't be similar. Since the shims are steel I'm thinking they should fall apart. And even if they did I would just be back to the way it was.

Jim M.

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by jimmarako

I have a 2015 Silverado 2500HD that has the factory 2.5" receiver hitch on it. A while back my wife (yes not me) lost the factory 2.5" -> 2" adapter. $30+ seemed steep for a new one so I got some "EZ Travel" brand off Amazon. I figure a hunk of square tube isn't all that complicated.

I never paid much attention when I was just towing the horse trailer. Even last year when I got the Mini Lite I noticed the hitch rattled around but wasn't too concerned. But my new trailer has a 1000+ pound tongue weight so I thinking of fixing it. I also noticed my hitch rattler inside the adapter (its a Fastway E2 WDH).

To keep it short, I found a piece of galvanized sheet metal in the barn. I cut a roughly 2"x6" strip that I was able to fit between the bottom of the adapter and the truck's receiver. I continued doing this until I have a "shim" on the top, bottom and one side of the adapter. I also ended up putting 2 shims between the hitch and the adapter and one on the side. There is a lot less rattle now.

So is this OK to do? I could buy a real GM adapter (or a name brand) but I think there is no guarantee they wouldn't be similar. Since the shims are steel I'm thinking they should fall apart. And even if they did I would just be back to the way it was.

Jim M.

The real gm adapter fits like glove . no slop and the holes line up . unlike the off brand like the curt which i had bought at first but was rusted in a week and did not fit well hell of a time lining up the holes . took it back and bought the real deal . worth the $25.00 you can find them on amazon . when the hitch cones out the adapter comes out and stays wit the hitch . one could tack weld it in place if worried about losing it again

[moose074]

You probably be ok, but you could probably go to dealership, auto parts store or truck accessory store and test fit. If you go to truck accessory store. You can ask questions. While $30 is steep what price would you pay for piece of mind. How bad would you feel if you let $15( I’m sure the one you bought on line wasn’t free) if you lost shims and wobbled out the hole causing damage and more money.

[youroo]

When your hitch is in use under tension there should NOT be any slop or Noise! Now when the hitch is not being used Some will raise Hell,but trailer aid places sell spring loaded bracket that attach with U bolts! No more noise!Youroo!!

[cavie]

ACE hardware has the REESE for $15.00. Don't get much better than that.

[aircommuter]

Shouldn’t cause a problem, but I couldn’t stand it any longer than one trip as needed. Just me.

[jimmoore13]

As sort of an aside...
Grease the receiver an hitch ball mount (WDH mount), and, of course, the ball. This will cut wear and quiet the whole mess. Clean it regularly if you are in the dirt much.

I use chassis grease, but here's an option: https://www.3inone.com/products/trailer-hitch-grease/

As for strength of the receiver, sleeve, WDH hitch ball mount combo, once you load half a ton on there, the tiny amount of movement allowed by the slop is not a concern, and the lube will keep the moving parts from grinding themselves to dust.

Even a well-fitting system will move about a bit, so dealing with the friction of that movement is important.

[barnbnb]

This works great for me.
https://www.amazon.com/NSA-RV-Produc.../dp/B00IK56S44

[JimMorrell]

I've used an aluminum shim for several years now. When it wears down, I replace it with a new one. Use aluminum so I don't get any wear in the steel hitch or receiver. Never a problem.

[D W]

Me? I would spend the money and fix it the RIGHT way!

Too much at stake, and not worth a MacGyver fix.

[Jayhawker]

This is a Hitch-Clamp that we have used (anti rattle) since 2012. Has worked perfectly all these years with no movement.

[nodrawers]

Originally Posted by Jayhawker

This is a Hitch-Clamp that we have used (anti rattle) since 2012. Has worked perfectly all these years with no movement.

I use a similar device that applies the pressure down on the reciver and it works great. Got 2 pack on Amazon very cheap.

[babock]

Never really worry about it. All hitches have some play. If it did bother me, I would just put a couple weld puddles around the hitch and file them down until it was snug.

Leaving it as is with a rattle is not going to damage anything and with 1,000# of tongue weight, no way is it going to rattle.

The hitch ball going into the coupler likely has more play than your hitch does.

[babock]

Originally Posted by Jayhawker

This is a Hitch-Clamp that we have used (anti rattle) since 2012. Has worked perfectly all these years with no movement.

Whenever I see that picture, it always seems like it is installed upside down. Don't you want the hitch forced downwards? If you use it like that, the weight of the trailer is working against that light weight U-Bolt assembly.

[Fishtexx]

Originally Posted by babock

Whenever I see that picture, it always seems like it is installed upside down. Don't you want the hitch forced downwards? If you use it like that, the weight of the trailer is working against that light weight U-Bolt assembly.

I thought the same thing...

[Retusps]

Originally Posted by Jayhawker

This is a Hitch-Clamp that we have used (anti rattle) since 2012. Has worked perfectly all these years with no movement.

x2
Removes any/all of the slop. no more clunking!