Creeking WD HITCH

[BigMac]

Hi all

Some advice please.

When hooked up to my Cougar 28RB.... I don't get a lot of noise when turning. When I am hooked up to weight distribution it creeks like its gonna snap in half. Totally scary sound. The WD is level, but it clearly only happens when I am hooked under WD.

Is this a hitch weight issue ...or do i just need to grease the bars?? I a totally unsure. I pulled a PUP with WD prior to this and did not have the same scooby Doo scary noise.


BigMac


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[bsmith0404]

You don't say what type of WDH you have, but the noise you are describing is pretty standard on many of them, especially round bar with chain setups. It's nothing to worry about and there isn't much you can do about it.

[MarcS]

Mine did the same thing until I greased the zerks where the bars go.

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[Dave W]

When we had TTs, the WD bars would creak. I greased any point that had moving metal to metal contact. Of course, this means dirt and the need to occasionally clean and relube those points. The lube points were the bar trunnion heads, the lift bar chain ends (both) and the ball. Something else to look at is the bolting - hitch to TV and the bar chain adapter ends to A-frame and retighten. Our last arrangement only had a single long bolt to tighten the chain bracket and that bent, allowing the adapter to swivel and needed some welded mods to fix permanently

[Mike484]

I have the cam style and it makes a lot of noise. I now dab on a little vasoline to the cams, the ball, and a couple drops of oil in the hitch where the WD connects too, now it is very quiet.

I use vasoline because when I used grease, I had a big mess, vasoline does not make near the mess and is much easier to clean up, but doesn't last as long as grease. It's a trade off, but I prefer the less mess over the better lubrication.

[Tbos]

I have an equalizer WD hitch and a few drops of dish soap on the L brackets seems to greatly reduce the noise. If you drive in the rain you will need to reapply of course.

[Mike484]

What brand of dish soap, is it the one that is so clean you can see yourself?


Just kidding.

[PhilDeb]

On my Equalizer, the noise comes from where the front of the bars go into the hitch. With the bars attached to the hitch, they creak just trying to swing them in and out. I know they make shoes for the L brackets but that isn't my problem.

I've taken it apart and sanded all of the surfaces and applied anti-seize. That made it stay quiet for one trip. I am NOT happy about taking it apart to lube it every trip. You'd think they would come up with a better idea. I feel like I might as well take the exhaust off my truck and blow the horn while driving through the campground.

One of my jobs at the dealership was to find and fix noises in everyone's new vehicle. This noise is unacceptable. Not that I'm a whiny b!@#$ but come on.

I will make a few more attempts at a "fix" before switching hitches.

[Tbos]

On my Equalizer, the noise comes from where the front of the bars go into the hitch. With the bars attached to the hitch, they creak just trying to swing them in and out. I know they make shoes for the L brackets but that isn't my problem.



I've taken it apart and sanded all of the surfaces and applied anti-seize. That made it stay quiet for one trip. I am NOT happy about taking it apart to lube it every trip. You'd think they would come up with a better idea. I feel like I might as well take the exhaust off my truck and blow the horn while driving through the campground.



One of my jobs at the dealership was to find and fix noises in everyone's new vehicle. This noise is unacceptable. Not that I'm a whiny b!@#$ but come on.



I will make a few more attempts at a "fix" before switching hitches.



I've never had to take mine apart to grease it. I just clean it real well and grease the mating surfaces and then manually manipulate the bars to get the different areas. I use the equalizer brand grease. I did increase the torque on those two bolts to 65flbs. That is not where mine makes the noise.

[RLM5150]

On my Equalizer, the noise comes from where the front of the bars go into the hitch. With the bars attached to the hitch, they creak just trying to swing them in and out. I know they make shoes for the L brackets but that isn't my problem.

I've taken it apart and sanded all of the surfaces and applied anti-seize. That made it stay quiet for one trip. I am NOT happy about taking it apart to lube it every trip. You'd think they would come up with a better idea. I feel like I might as well take the exhaust off my truck and blow the horn while driving through the campground.

One of my jobs at the dealership was to find and fix noises in everyone's new vehicle. This noise is unacceptable. Not that I'm a whiny b!@#$ but come on.

I will make a few more attempts at a "fix" before switching hitches.


I have the e2 hitch. I got a lot of noise at first, then after the paint wore in the primary friction spots I used the equalizer brand lube where the bars install in the head and on the ball. The only noise I have now is when the bars move on the L brackets. I'm used to it and understand why it makes noise so it doesn't bother me.

[PhilDeb]

I'll give that a shot. Thanks guys!

[BigMac]

Hi all....this is the OP. thanks for the great responses. I am with PhilDeb. When I drive somewhere or through a campground I feel like the whole place is staring at the creaking cruiser laughing. I guess it's somewhat normal though. I will may be try some grease or soap etc.

Mine is an EZ2 I think. Not chains....the other kind, square bars. I noticed where the square bars attached to the hitch side they are sort of light rusted ...maybe that's the issue.

What kind of grease would I use for this. Or what kind of dish soap !!!!


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[Tbos]

On the L brackets a couple drops of Dawn or something similar. I use the Equalizer brand grease per the manual.

[BigMac]

Tks Tbos


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[Mike484]

Make sure it is set up correctly too.

I had mine set up and it made noise, I lubricated it, then had no noise. I adjusted the tilt of the ball, then got all kinds of noise I didn't have before. I have since changed it back to where it was but hasn't tried it again yet.

[ctbruce]

Scared the crap out of me the first time I pulled mine. Thought I'd torn the whole bottom out of the camper.

Someone told me, so this is their opinion, not mine, that if it is making noise, it's working! Makes sense to me. On the flip side, if it's not making noise, maybe it's not working as well? Just food for thought.

The noise is annoying, but short lived. Get parked quickly and disconnect. For those in the campground staring, wave at them and smile. Maybe share a cold brew with them later. I'm pretty sure 30 minutes after you drive by, they don't even remember what happened. If they do, wow!

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[Fatal_Rewind]

I have had a similar issue when I first got mine. The heavy creaking and insanely loud screeching sound coming from the hitch. I did purchase the L-bracket pads, and they did help. I also add lithium grease to the ball and to the tops of the receivers, where the bars attach. Just add a little and move the bars back and forth to work the grease in. I have not had a problem since and have not noticed a reduction in anti-sway of weight distribution.

See the picture attached.

[Laredo291OH]

I have a Reese dual cam, it makes loud popping noises when turning sharply, but that is how the cams function. I have never been around the equalizer hitch, but I believe the purpose of the L brackets is to create friction to eliminate sway. If you are greasing or lubing the L brackets, it seems like there wouldn't be any friction to stop the sway. The manual for the Reese Dual cam said NOT to lube the cam area for that very reason, except a very small dab of vaseline. The noise really bothered me when I first started using it, but I have gotten used to it. If you watch in campgrounds they all do it. Maybe the best way for me to get rid of the noise is by spending $100K on a new truck and 5ver. :)

[GaryWT]

Just remember that the square bar on the L bracket is your sway control through friction. If you great or lube it to get rid of noise then you get rid of you sway control as well.

Noise is just part of the package and what is wrong with being noticed when you pull into a campground, be proud of your rig.

[cjelliott81]

I used to be mortified pulling into the campground and making such god awful noise. Then it occurred to me...... nobody cares. It's part of the deal, and honestly if anyone's delicate psyches are damaged from 30 seconds of creaking as a result of you properly and safely towing your TT, it's their problem, not yours.

Per Equalizers instructions I do lube the bar pivot points on the hitch, however after ruining a few pairs of shorts with the grease, I think I'm going to try graphite or the dish soap idea.

[RICamper]

For those of you who have the "Equil-i-zer" brand sway control hitch, follow this link to their website and download the Owner's Manual.

http://www.equalizerhitch.com/Equal-i-zer%20Support/installinstructions.php

In the 6K-14K Owner's Manual

Page 23 it states:
The friction surfaces of the head and sockets should be kept clean and
well lubricated with a good quality multi‑purpose or bearing grease. These
are the surfaces where the arm sockets rub against the top and bottom plates
of the head. See Figure 23. We recommend Equal-i-zer high performance
lubricant.

Page 26 states:

Noise is a normal occurance when towing a trailer and using any weight
distribution or sway control hitch.
The majority of hitch noise can be eliminated by lubricating the friction
surfaces of the head as shown in Figure 23.
In some cases the friction on the L-brackets can generate noise. Lubricating
this joint is not recommended. A better solution is a set of official Equali-
zer brand Sway Bracket Jackets™. They quiet the ride and reduce wear
without the mess of using a lubricant.

This website information helped me to understand a) where the noise is coming from, b) why it was happening, and c) how to eliminate a majority of it. Hope this information helps.

Jim

[Outback 325BH]

I have a Reese SC (sway control) WD system with an separate anti-sway bar.

The bar trunnions require lube where they attach to the ball mount, to prevent excessive wear (it is metal-on-metal grinding).

The bars, where they are placed on the hangers, must stay dry. This is a friction-point that serves as the built-in sway control. This movement of the bars across the hangers generate a bit of noise. (On this system, there are replaceable brake pads on the hangers for best friction.)

The anti-sway bar also needs to stay dry and is a brake-pad-on-steel friction device. This generates A LOT of noise.

My friends know I am coming when I pull in! It is a badge of honor!

In any case, sway-control components will generate noise because friction is how sway is controlled. If you don't understand how the system works, read your system's instructions to determine where and where not to lube. You do not want to lube everything in order to get rid of the noise.

Keep in mind, most (all) the noise takes place while turning. Don't worry about it.


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[temccarthy1]

On an Equalizer hitch you are SUPPOSED to have noise from the friction from the bars to the L brackets. The friction is what gives you the anti sway feature! If you lube it, you will cause more sway. I only hear the noise when turning or backing slowly in the CG. Not at highway speeds where the turns are slight.

[tanglemoose]

I have the e2 hitch. I got a lot of noise at first, then after the paint wore in the primary friction spots I used the equalizer brand lube where the bars install in the head and on the ball. The only noise I have now is when the bars move on the L brackets. I'm used to it and understand why it makes noise so it doesn't bother me.

We have the Eq hitch, bought lubricant from Eq and has taken away the noise completely. Hubby does clean off hitch after using, but amazed at the lack of squeaking.... also put on those locking Pina in the bars..

[Ken / Claudia]

The 1st TT with WDH I used was my dads about 40 years ago. Since 3 of my own. They make noise. If it is a problem in campgrounds take it off at or near the entrance. Takes 2 mins. Or you could drive a diesel with 5 inch exhaust and than you cannot hear the WDH.
But, really don't you look at others as they drive thru also. It's what people do the RV campgrounds. Everyone outside and some inside their RVs checks out the other trailers and tow vehicles. Do you ever walk thru the campground. If so, what do you look at besides the local landscape. I think if you did a poll most would agree. Rvers check out the others stuff. I think if you did a poll on WHD noise most would not care.

[Tbos]

Ditto on Ken/Claudia comments. I used to worry about it. Then I realized no one cared about the noise. They were just checking out the rig.


2016 Passport GT 2810BHS, 2014 Silverado 1500 LT in Deep Forest Green

[ctbruce]

Ditto on Ken/Claudia comments. I used to worry about it. Then I realized no one cared about the noise. They were just checking out the rig.


2016 Passport GT 2810BHS, 2014 Silverado 1500 LT in Deep Forest Green

I usually just wave as I go by with my creaking hitch. If I can pull it off, I try to give one of those parade waves like the queen of England.

[66joej]

Funny! Chip.