Any suggestions for my new trailer rattle.

[freddypd]

I just bought a lowes 5x8 light weight utility trailer:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_100369-1547...RL=?Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&facetInfo=

I can hardly stand the noise it is making. It is banging beyond belief. I have trailered my buddies trailer many times without a problem. His trailer is probably a little heavier and uses a slightly larger ball. I did try the trailer with 2 large bushes in it to create some weight and still heard the noise.

It seems the noise is actually coming from the receiver portion of the hitch. When the trailer is off I can replicated the noise by grabbing the hitch insert and shaking it. I tried to wedge a cedar shingle in but had no luck. Any suggestions? I am almost considering returning it because it makes so much noise. The reviews on the website don't mention noise, just some other cosmetic issues that I can deal with. I am planning on putting in a heavy duty floor which will add some weight.

 

[JustWood]

I had the same problem and ran a couple beads of weld down the side of the hitch tube and ground them flat till it fit in the reciever.

 

[heat seeker]

Make sure the trailer coupling is grabbing the ball tightly enough. You also need at least 10% of the trailer's weight on the tongue.

 

[MasterMech]

Should get you started on the road to sanity....

http://www.etrailer.com/Locks/Draw-Tite/63201.html

http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Accessories/Roadmaster/RM-061.html

 

[nate379]

Turn the radio up.

 

[maple1]

So it's not the trailer, but the hitch (ball carrier) in the receiver?

That means it has nothing to do with the trailer.

Sounds like a sloppy fit. Lees suggestion should work. Also, I had the same problem and the cedar shingle trick worked in a hurry for me - I wedged one in the bottom or top, and one in one side, just hammer them in as far as you can & break off what's left sticking out. You could try getting a different brand of carrier too, I think there is quite a variance in manufacturer tolerance on those things.

If you leave it there long enough, rust will likely take up the slack too - that might not be the best solution though...

 

[daveswoodhauler]

Is the noise/rattling all the time, or only when the trailer is empty? Mine rattles like heck when empty and no tounge weight.....as soon as I have a load it in it quiets down.

 

[freddypd]

Great suggestions!
I dont have access to a welder.
The connection at the ball is super tight.
The etrailer option seems to be the best. The only problem is I dont like leaving the hitch in all the time. I dont tow often enough for that and I usually bang the heck out of my legs on it if I leave it in.
I am hoping putting in a solid 2x6 wood floor will add some weight.
The tongue is extremely light also.
Will let you know how everything works out. Just so frustrating that there was no noise towing my buddies trailer.

 

[daveswoodhauler]

Just for giggles, take a couple of empty milk jugs and fill them with sand/water etc....bungee them to the front of the trailer and take a ride....I'm thinking that there is a 50/50 shot that just a little more tounge weight is going to keep the rattling down.

 

[lukem]

Are you sure you aren't running an 1 7/8" ball on a 2" ball coupler? I checked the link above and it says 1 7/8" but you might have an oddball or something.

 

[firefighterjake]

Are you sure you aren't running an 1 7/8" ball on a 2" ball coupler? I checked the link above and it says 1 7/8" but you might have an oddball or something.

I was thinking the same thing . . . but figured the OP had probably checked that first.

 

[maple1]

I was thinking the same thing . . . but figured the OP had probably checked that first.

He did say he could replicate the noise by shaking the insert (carrier) by hand - so seems pretty obvious what the problem is (sloppy carrier/receiver fit).

Did you use the same carrier with your buddies trailer? I would think not if they're different sized balls? If so, it must be that the different weight distributions ephasized the sloppyness differently. If not, the current carrier must be slightly smaller.

 

[lukem]

Even if the cedar shingle cures it, that is a very temporary fix. You could have a local welding shop run a fat bead on 2 sides (top and left) of the hitch then take it back home and grind it down until it fits.

 

[freddypd]

Thanks guys. The carrier is the same as I have always been using. I am sure it is either a lightweight tongue or how they balanced the trailer that is causing me heartache. I drove to lowes with the 2" ball and it didnt fit so I had to buy and install a 1 7/8" ball right there in the parking lot. That connection is very secure.
I will try to weigh down the front end and take it for a test drive.
I guess the best option will be to find a local welder.
i really like the etrailer attachment but that might be annoying taking on and off every time I use the trailer, or am I just being lazy?

 

[maple1]

Even if the cedar shingle cures it, that is a very temporary fix. You could have a local welding shop run a fat bead on 2 sides (top and left) of the hitch then take it back home and grind it down until it fits.

Yes, it is temporary. But if the carrier will be removed when the trailer is not being used, and the trailer isn't being used very much, it's quick & easy.

I had the same problem when I got a hitch installed on my SUV. It was annoying as hell. I quickly did the shingle thing. Then I ended up leaving the carrier in for quite a while (like months). Now, 4 years later, it isn't that bad and I don't used the shingles anymore. I think the sloppyness got filled up with dirt & rust over the years even though the carrier is in & out of there now, it at least deadened the noise. Welding & grinding is likely the better solution, shingles quick & easy although temporary.

 

[freddypd]

OK. Just filled up the trailer with scraps from the garage. Made the front heavy. Took it for a spin and no real rattles. So it definitely seems like the tongue weight or lack thereof is the problem. Maybe after I rebuild the floor and maybe add a spare tire to the front it will be more tolerable?

 

[greg13]

The coupler is stamped as to the size, make sure the Ball is the same size. There should be a nut on the bottom of the coupler to adjust the slop, it may need to be tightened up some.