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Old 08-28-2016, 06:49 AM   #1
Nuke
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Hitch Rattle

I'm looking for suggestions to get rid of (or at least minimize) hitch rattle. When I attach my hitch to my F150, there is a lot of play/movement. The rattle is annoying when unhitched, but when hitched, it is enough movement to cause noticeable sway/trailer movement. I've tried several anti-rattle devices such as these:

http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Access...er/RM-061.html

http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Access...x/BX88224.html

These work OK, but after a few uses, they get stretched/sloppy and need replacement.

I've also tried wedging various pieces of thin bar stock into the gaps (both with and without the above devices), but nothing seems to be a permanent fix. I've considered having a weld shop run a couple of beads down the bar part of the hitch and grind it to fit tightly so I wouldn't need the before-mentioned devices/practices.

Has anyone tried the weld/grind approach? If so, what was your experience?

Does anyone have a suggestion that I might be overlooking?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
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Old 08-28-2016, 07:38 AM   #2
therink
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This may sound silly, but Ihave resolved this issue in the past by putting a couple wraps of duct tape around the hitch shank to give it a snug fit in the receiver.
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Old 08-28-2016, 08:19 AM   #3
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If using duct tape to fix something is silly, I'm definitely guilty of that!

If duct tape can't fix it, it's broke beyond repair!
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Old 08-28-2016, 12:08 PM   #4
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I did a quick search and found this site with quite a few products that may work to stop the rattle. http://www.etrailer.com/dept-pg-Hitc...nt=Anti-Rattle
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Old 08-28-2016, 12:19 PM   #5
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If you hitch is so loose that you can fit things into the receiver are you sure you have the correct size hitch. I have never heard of a hitch so loose it causes sway.
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Old 08-28-2016, 02:44 PM   #6
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Is it hitch rattle from side to side movement or is it hitch clank caused from back and forth movement at the pin? My guess it's probably the latter. There isn't much that can be done other than finding a pin that is a tighter fit...good luck.
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Old 08-28-2016, 03:01 PM   #7
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It has more side-to-side than up-down. Really doesn't matter which pin I use (I have several that I use depending on where I'm parking the truck.

It just seems like a really sloppy fit.
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Old 08-28-2016, 04:09 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuke View Post
It has more side-to-side than up-down. Really doesn't matter which pin I use (I have several that I use depending on where I'm parking the truck.

It just seems like a really sloppy fit.
More side to side than up down, that doesn't make any sense since both your receiver and shank should be square tubing. I usually see more back and forth due to the pin diameter. Other than the duct tape idea or a shank with a nut and a threaded pin, I don't have any suggestions for you, sorry.
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Old 08-28-2016, 05:24 PM   #9
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Hitch Rattle

I had an aftermarket receiver on my previous TV and the inside dimensions were larger than what you would expect for a 2 inch receiver. I made stainless steel shims with 90 degree bent tabs to allow me to lay the shins in the receiver before inserting the hitch draw bar. Worked well to eliminate the excess play to allow proper WD setup.

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Old 08-28-2016, 06:24 PM   #10
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I put silicone gasket maker on mine stops the rattle however it will move a little
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Old 08-29-2016, 05:05 AM   #11
malabarbob
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Hitch Rattle

I have an F-150 and I bought the 2" Receiver Hitch Stabilizing Clamp Plate from E-Trailer. Its a U-Bolt arrangement that clamps both pieces real tight. Made all the difference in the world.
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Old 09-02-2016, 03:53 AM   #12
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The hitch may be a bit loose and have an annoying rattle, but as Gary stated in post #5, it is not the cause of sway. That comes from a tail-heavy trailer, improperly sized/adjusted spring bars, too much trailer etc. You might check the frame mounting bolts to see if they are tight, but a rattling ball mount isn't making it sway.
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Old 09-03-2016, 05:49 AM   #13
darrylwt
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuke View Post
I'm looking for suggestions to get rid of (or at least minimize) hitch rattle. When I attach my hitch to my F150, there is a lot of play/movement. The rattle is annoying when unhitched, but when hitched, it is enough movement to cause noticeable sway/trailer movement. I've tried several anti-rattle devices such as these:

http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Access...er/RM-061.html

http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Access...x/BX88224.html

These work OK, but after a few uses, they get stretched/sloppy and need replacement.

I've also tried wedging various pieces of thin bar stock into the gaps (both with and without the above devices), but nothing seems to be a permanent fix. I've considered having a weld shop run a couple of beads down the bar part of the hitch and grind it to fit tightly so I wouldn't need the before-mentioned devices/practices.

Has anyone tried the weld/grind approach? If so, what was your experience?

Does anyone have a suggestion that I might be overlooking?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
I drilled and taped mine for a 1/2" bolt with a lock nut so when I carried my dirt bike on a hitch it wouldn't move all over and when I used my trailer hitch i snugged it down so it wouldn't rattle.
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