Receiver Hitch has a little play in it

[Ralphy]

2004 Chev Blazer is my tow vehicle. It has the factory trailering package with removable receiver hitch. I was towing my 14' Aquarius w/50HP Mercury and whenever I came to a stop I heard and felt a clunk. I immediately pulled over and checked the coupler but everything was snug and secure, so I continued on my way. The clunk is enough to give the Blazer a little shake but nothing serious. When I got to my destination and unhooked the trailer I wiggled the hitch and saw that it has just a tiny bit of up and down play. Thought about getting something to use for a shim, but dont want it to get stuck in there and then I cant take off the hitch. If its nothing to worry about then I guess I will just learn to put up with the annoyance. Thanx for your input.

 

[Pony]

Re: Receiver Hitch has a little play in it

Some info that might help the experts....<br /><br />Is the removeable hitch from the factory as well, or just the reciever??<br /><br />Has this always happened or did it just begin to occur??<br /><br />My hitch has play as well, otherwise it would be a pain to take out.....but mine doesnt make a clunking noise nor can i feel it.

 

[JB]

Re: Receiver Hitch has a little play in it

What % of the trailer weight is on the ball, Ralphy?<br /><br />Sounds to me like the weight is too light.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: Receiver Hitch has a little play in it

Normal slop. They all wiggle a bit. Most heavier trailers have enough tongue weight that it doesn't clunk normally. Your lighter rig may rattle around some. Still a good idea to check that your tongue weight is 10% to 15% of your total trailer & boat weight.

 

[Ralphy]

Re: Receiver Hitch has a little play in it

I had just bought the boat and was bringing it home. I'm betting your right on the "too little tongue weight" as the boat was empty except for the motor on the transom. It is a pretty lightweight boat to begin with but once I fill er up with all my fishing gear, I bet it will balance right out. Thanx guys.

 

[gewf631]

Re: Receiver Hitch has a little play in it

The tongue weight should be 5%-10% of the total weight (trailer, boat, motor, gear, etc). You can weigh everything at truck scales, and then weigh the tongue with a bathroom scale.<br /><br /> Here's a pretty decent article <br /> Or this one <br /> Or this one

 

[G-Daddy]

Re: Receiver Hitch has a little play in it

When towing my boat or rv, I never hear or feel anything related to the receiver "slop". When towing a friend's utility trailer that is light in the tongue, there is always noise and vibration due to not enough weight on the tongue.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Receiver Hitch has a little play in it

If the pin is secure, a little noise hurts nothing. Some receivers are just a tad looser than others. A tight fit will gaurantee a future stuck-tight hitch.

 

[milkyway]

Re: Receiver Hitch has a little play in it

If you are really referring to the hitch, or the frame that is bolted to your chassis, there should be no play. Even the receiver which accepts the ball mount is connected should not move. The only possible movement should come from the ball mount, that long part that you insert in the receiver.

 

[Ralphy]

Re: Receiver Hitch has a little play in it

Yeah that's the part Milkyway, sorry wrong nomenclature. Thanx for all the responses. Sounds like a little weight upfront will cure my ills. Thinking a good size cooler of ice on top of some cold ones.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Re: Receiver Hitch has a little play in it

There are different sized pins available to hold hitch in receiver. Make sure yours is the right diameter(not sloppy on the hole)

 

[phantoms]

Re: Receiver Hitch has a little play in it

If you are towing with your outboard tanks full, that's more weight in the rear. Either tow with them in the tow vehicle or move them to the front of the boat to move some weight to the tounge.

 

[JohnRuff]

Re: Receiver Hitch has a little play in it

I had a bunch of thumping going on when hauling my boat - and it sounded like it was the hitch bar. It would also sway a bit at times on the highway.<br /><br />After reading these threads - I moved the front of the trailer ahead 5 inches - amazing difference! It increased the hitch weight and now is a non-swaying - non-thumping load.<br /><br />Thanks for the tips!

 

[jauguston]

Re: Receiver Hitch has a little play in it

Slop in the receiver is common. If you have the time and patience to fit it have a welder put a weld bead on the insert where the insert touches the reciever in the back and front then grind and file to fit. I have a 10" drop on my motorhome for the Samurai I tow. It was really floppy until I did the weld and file trick. No more slop and I greased it so it still comes out. I put small beads about 1/2"long on the rear top corners on top and front bottom corners on the bottom. then two on the side at the rear on one side and two at the front on the other side.

Jim

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Receiver Hitch has a little play in it

I did something simular as jauguston did.
I drilled a hole in the bottom of the receiver tube (5/8") then welded a 1/2"UNC nut over the hole.
Then got a 1/2"UNC threaded stub knob to go into the nut and thru the hole to put clamping pressure on the drawbar upstream of the pin hole.

That way it stops all the rattling of all the different drawbars I use.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Receiver Hitch has a little play in it

[highlight]This is a 1 1/2 year old thread. [/highlight]

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Receiver Hitch has a little play in it

[highlight]This is a 1 1/2 year old thread. [/highlight]

Then I hope it is sorted out by now !!!!
If anyone is still listening. In any 2 parts that fit together there must, must ,must be some clearance or there will be issues.

 

[hkeiner]

Re: Receiver Hitch has a little play in it

I think that new posts to old threads, although probably too late to help the original poster, may still be helpful to those of us with similar problems that are searching for a solution.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Receiver Hitch has a little play in it

Best to start a new thread.