Hitch Rattle

[gbaglo]

Keath pointed out that there was a lot of play between the receiver and the cargo carrier I got recently. He had the same problem in the past and warned me against using duct tape to make a tighter fit.

I may have found my solution. I picked up Garant Elgin tool handle wedges ( two for six bucks ) at my local Rona hardware. These are made of steel and come in various sizes and shapes. I got wedges that are 2" wide ( perfect ).

I drove the wedge in between the hitch receiver and cargo carrier and nothing moves now. Not sure how easy it will be to remove, but the one I got does have a lip I can grab on to. I also haven't tested it to see if it stays in place on a rough road.

baglo

[Bruce Wray]

Pretty cool solution.  I'm betting it'll stay put, but if not, you might grind a very shallow trough on the upper edge of the hitch where the top lip of the wedge meets it.  If you don't have a grinder, this gives you an excuse to buy a new tool!   

Bruce

[gbaglo]

As you can see from the second picture, if I use a little more muscle I could drive the wedge a tad further and it would be held in place by the cargo carrier. I didn't since I don't want to commit.


baglo

[Jim Bennett]

Here are a few ideas to stop hitch rattle. I am looking for something to use one the receiver/hitch of my tow.

Not all will work for Glenn's application, but there are a few to consider.

http://www.hitchrider.com/nowobble.htm

http://www.hitchshim.com/

http://www.softride.com/towing-products/specifications/tightening_ball_mount_lock

http://www.quiethitch.com/html/products.html

http://www.letsgoaero.com/Products.asp?Pcat=7

http://www.realtruck.com/softride_quietride_tightening_receiver_hitch_pin_and_locks/R141184P1C1T.html

[gbaglo]

Yah, but the price is right for my anti-rattle device, assuming it works and if you don't need to remove it.....

baglo

[bvansnell]

Here is a relatively simple device I have been considering

http://www.etrailer.com/p-93347.html

Not as cheap as Glenn's solution, but much less expensive than the specialized ball mounts.

Another solution I found in searching fiberglassrv.com is to cut a shim from a piece of plastic and jam it between the ball mount and the receiver tube. I used this solution on the first trip with our new trailer and it seems to reduce hitch rattle quite a bit. I made the shim from the plastic lid of a margarine container. You can't get much cheaper than that!

Brian

[gbaglo]

Ya, but can you plug your hair dryer into it???

baglo

[bvansnell]

Ya, but can you plug your hair dryer into it???

baglo

Glenn:

I'm an air dryer type of guy.

[Jim Bennett]

That is a neat simple idea, but I have to wonder if if would stop all the up and down movement being wedged only in the side. Would not be too expensive to fine out though.

[bvansnell]

Jim:

If you put the piece of plastic under the ball mount while pushing the ball mount into the receiver it seems to prevent most up and down movement, and there is enough friction it doesn't move side to side much either.

Here is the link where I found this idea:

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/index.php?s=&showtopic=33213&view=findpost&p=301407