HITCH RECEIVER QUESTION

GEORGE D. · Post by **GEORGE D.** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:12 pm

ANYONE KNOW HOW TO FIX A NOISE FROM THE TOW HITCH AND THE RECEIVER WHEN TOWING THE HITCH MAKES A THUMP WHEN I START TO GO FROM A COMPLETE STOP AND ALSO I HEAR SQEAKING WHEN IM DRIVING SOUNDS LIKE THEY ARE RUBBING TOGETHER THANKS ALOT GEORGE

Robert F · Post by **Robert F** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:19 pm

There should be no noises from your reciever George except possibly the trailer brakes if you have a surge type system. They are made to move. Check all and make sure the ball and pin are tight. The right size? If not replace.

SpookFreak · Post by **SpookFreak** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 8:10 pm

Your drive line / transmission could be in question. How many miles are on your u joints. Recievers are usually a solid connection with
the pin and there is no room for slop.

DeltaBound · Post by **DeltaBound** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 6:15 am

No it's not the transmission. If you've been towing for a long time it wears the receiver hole and pin, they both get worn and it creates slack and clunks. There is a receiver product out there that will illiminate the clunk, I will see if I can find the product and post it here. Also, try changing the pin and see if it lightens up the noise a bit.

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 6:22 am

Also check to see that the nut at the bottom of the ball latch, the latch that holds the trailer on the ball, hasn't loosened from vibration. It should be just loose enough to let you latch to the ball.

Murph · Post by **Murph** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 6:26 am

It would also be wise to check the Brake Fluid if you are running the Surge Brakes. When low, it makes a terrible clunk, stopping and taking off.

DeltaBound · Post by **DeltaBound** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:54 am

You could also look into one of these...
http://www.schuckhitches.com/

DeltaDan · Post by **DeltaDan** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:56 am

Two or three .39 cent rolls of electrical tape and a hammer.......... It worked on our tent last weekend.

DanWarme · Post by **DanWarme** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 10:06 am

You didn't mention the trailer make but here is another thing to look at.

On my RangerTrail trailer, the tongue that activates the hydralic brakes, (ie: It slides back and forth). There is a shock absorber for lack of a better term in there to slow the pull and stop. If that goes bad, the hitch will sound like its thumping. That shock can be replaced and the probllem goes away.

Rob Cummings · Post by **Rob Cummings** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 10:26 am

There's a good chance the squeaking is the leaf springs on your trailer, the bushings at the end of the springs can make a lot of noise.

Do you only hear it at low speed? Have someone ride in the back of your tow vehicle while you drive around the parking lot, they should be able to see where the play is for the thunk and hear where the squeak comes from.

Munsey · Post by **Munsey** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 6:54 pm

Sounds like you have surge brakes
I agree with Dan
Check the shock absorber. I had this problem changed the shock absorber and that fixed the problem.

I'm thinking the squeaking noise is the leaf springs.

Mike Munson

chf8500 · Post by **chf8500** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 7:31 am

check the bolts that fasten the reciever to the frame of the truck, i have seen them back on occasion, BAD NEWS if that gets worse.

SKTR 20i · Post by **SKTR 20i** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 8:55 am

I agree on the surge brake responses. Check the fluid level and bleed your system.

John.

tunaman · Post by **tunaman** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 10:03 am

Also check the receiver REAL WELL - there was a thread some time ago (can't remember if it was here) about receiver weld failures, along with several pictures of the results - not pretty.

Roger