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07-24-2015, 08:45 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Name: Jon
Trailer: 2008 Scamp 13 S1
Arizona
Posts: 11,962
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Hitch Rattle
Since I started towing my Scamp 13 with my Pilot, which requires about a 5" drop on the drawbar to get the trailer level, I have had a variety of clunks, thunks, and rattles from the hitch area. It was clear there was some play in the drawbar-to-receiver connection, so I just bought and installed a Hitch Vise. I chose it over the Roadmaster Quiet Hitch because (1) the reinforcing ring around the end of the receiver opening is rounded, so I wasn't sure if the U-bolt would catch and hold, and (2) clearances around the receiver opening are pretty tight.
I started off installing it as shown in the instructions; i.e., side-to side. After a test drive, it was better, but not what I'd hoped for. I was pretty sure (based on wear marks on the draw bar) that up-and-down motion was my problem, so I decided to try installing it top-to-bottom:
Even better. All the thunks and clunks are gone, but…
At highway speeds I still have a high frequency rattle. It starts around 45 mph and gets progressively worse as speed increases. It's kind of hard to describe the noise… think chains rattling in a metal box, or golf balls in a dryer, or metallic microwave popcorn… It goes away completely under 45 mph and the ride is butter smooth, even over rough pavement.
Two questions: - Do you see any reason not to use the Hitch Vise in this orientation?
- Any ideas about the high speed rattling noise? It's really annoying, and I don't know what else to check.
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07-24-2015, 08:56 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Trailer: Class A Motorhome
Posts: 7,912
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Is the hitch assy tight against the TV's frame, in both directions?
Is the hitch well lubricated and snug on the ball.
Is the hitch tang in good condition for a snug fit on the bottom of the ball
Did you check the tires for being out of round/not balanced
Did you look for loose goofballs in the front sofa storage area?
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07-24-2015, 09:18 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Name: Jon
Trailer: 2008 Scamp 13 S1
Arizona
Posts: 11,962
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Hitch Rattle
Thank for the response, Bob.
Hitch platform appears tight. It is an integrated factory hitch and all welds appear good.
The ball is well lubricated. I'm not sure how to check adjustment of the tang (just learned a new word). When I verify hitch attachment by cranking down the jack after locking the coupler, there doesn't appear to be any slack before the bumper starts to rise.
I haven't checked the tires, but the rattling is very arrhythmic, like microwave popcorn toward the end of its cycle.
No golf balls in the forward compartments.
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07-24-2015, 09:30 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Trailer: Class A Motorhome
Posts: 7,912
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There should be a large nut under the tang for adjustment. Hitch it up and have a couple of kids get onto the back of the bed to take weight off the hitch and try to shake the tongue up and down. if it moves, tighten the nut a little, until that is just barely any play. If it is tight, back it off and tighten again as above. You want a tiny amount of play so it doesn't force the grease out of place resulting in metal to metal contact. Might help....
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07-25-2015, 06:40 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Name: Jon
Trailer: 2008 Scamp 13 S1
Arizona
Posts: 11,962
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I'll check the coupler adjustment. It wouldn't hurt to have the tires rebalanced either, since they're coming up on 3 years old. Thanks for the help!
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07-25-2015, 04:04 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Name: Steve
Trailer: Scamp 13
California
Posts: 1,889
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When I adjusted my hitch I removed the stinger from the Nissan. I greased the ball and then clamped the stingers, ball in the trailer coupler. I adjust the nut while moving the stinger about. This way you can feel just how tight you get it. Adjust to get the excess slack out.
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07-25-2015, 06:15 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Name: bob
Trailer: 1996 Casita 17 Spirit Deluxe; 1946 Modernistic teardrop
New York
Posts: 5,416
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Maybe I'm looking at it wrong Jon, but the way you have it set up it appears to be putting tension in both directions, up and down. My home made anti rattle device is set up to only pull the draw bar down. One vehicle I tow with has some side play. Works out that a thin piece of steel angle can be driven in one side, and my anti rattler keeps it from sliding out. As for the noise, I have a rattle / vibration noise towing, under load like going uphill. Only with our Honda CRV. Sounds like the exhaust tail pipe rattling against something, quite possibly the hitch as clearance is minimal. Only does it when towing. I've tried bending the hanger, but not much room to do anything.
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07-25-2015, 06:23 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Trailer: Class A Motorhome
Posts: 7,912
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We had to have an exhaust pipe place move the exhaust pipe on our CRV slightly to stop the rattle against the hitch when going up hills. Cost $20
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07-25-2015, 06:39 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Name: Jon
Trailer: 2008 Scamp 13 S1
Arizona
Posts: 11,962
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Keep the ideas coming… I'm taking it all in. I did think of exhaust system interference and checked it when I was examining the hitch attachment to the frame. Nothing there I can see.
That's a good point about the Hitch Vise, Bob. I am inclined now to return it to its original orientation.
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07-25-2015, 06:42 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Name: bob
Trailer: 1996 Casita 17 Spirit Deluxe; 1946 Modernistic teardrop
New York
Posts: 5,416
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Sounds like a common problem with the CRV then Bob. I did have to disconnect the rear hanger when I installed the hitch because it was a tight fit. Ours only does it towing under load, and since we don't tow with that vehicle much anymore I haven't bothered to remedy the problem. Good though to hear I'm not the only one that has had it happen. Our CRV is a 2003
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07-25-2015, 06:45 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Name: bob
Trailer: 1996 Casita 17 Spirit Deluxe; 1946 Modernistic teardrop
New York
Posts: 5,416
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[
That's a good point about the Hitch Vise, Bob. I am inclined now to return it to its original orientation.[/QUOTE]
I would set it up so it only pulls the draw bar down, as tongue weight wants to push it in that direction. I made a similar "L" shaped piece, but it's only on the bottom of the hitch
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07-25-2015, 07:00 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Name: Jon
Trailer: 2008 Scamp 13 S1
Arizona
Posts: 11,962
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mary and bob
...I would set it up so it only pulls the draw bar down, as tongue weight wants to push it in that direction. I made a similar "L" shaped piece, but it's only on the bottom of the hitch
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This particular unit is not designed to pull anything. It pinches, like a vise. It its intended orientation, it would pinch side-to-side. Assuming the drawbar is resting at the bottom of its range of motion when tightened down, it should keep it there, I suppose.
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07-25-2015, 07:44 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Name: bob
Trailer: 1996 Casita 17 Spirit Deluxe; 1946 Modernistic teardrop
New York
Posts: 5,416
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Well that explains the design Jon. I've never seen this type, interesting. I still think one that pulls the drawbar down is best, but that's only my opinion
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07-25-2015, 08:06 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Name: Jon
Trailer: 2008 Scamp 13 S1
Arizona
Posts: 11,962
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If you look carefully at the third picture, you can see the rounded profile of the raised lip of the receiver opening as well as the very limited space between it and the attachment rings for the safety chains. I didn't think the U-bolt type would fit and grab securely there.
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07-25-2015, 08:12 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Name: bob
Trailer: 1996 Casita 17 Spirit Deluxe; 1946 Modernistic teardrop
New York
Posts: 5,416
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How about a shim at the top, plus the hitch vise?
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07-25-2015, 08:21 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Name: Jon
Trailer: 2008 Scamp 13 S1
Arizona
Posts: 11,962
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Maybe. What would you use for a shim?
At this point, though, I am not convinced the noise is related to drawbar movement. It seems to be clamped down very tightly and is quiet at speeds below 45mph, even on rough surfaces.
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07-26-2015, 02:57 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Name: bob
Trailer: 1996 Casita 17 Spirit Deluxe; 1946 Modernistic teardrop
New York
Posts: 5,416
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Jon, sounds like you may have some other kind of noise, similar to what Bob Miller and I have experienced. Like a harmonic type vibration noise maybe. What I have experienced with my home made hitch tightener is that I have to get the nuts REALLY tight or I'll still get some movement noise. And my device pulls down, where as yours clamps side to side and extreme stress from bumps in the road may still move it. Anything loose under your tow vehicle that could make a noise at speed, from vibration or wind? One of my cars makes a real odd noise with a window just cracked open. Noises can be tough to track down. So for the shim question, I had a piece of that perforated steel angle that is available in most hardware stores and found a short piece could just fit between the side of the hitch and drawbar, tapping it in with a hammer. A case of what do I have the right thickness. Just some random ideas here, probably of no use, but something to think about.
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07-26-2015, 04:47 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Name: Jon
Trailer: 2008 Scamp 13 S1
Arizona
Posts: 11,962
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That may explain why I got a better result on the second try rather than the change in orientation- I tightened it down pretty hard. I'll try coming up with a shim, too. You're right, noises can be difficult to pinpoint. I'd at least like to completely eliminate the drawbar as a source,
Thanks for you help. I'm not going to be able to work on it for several days, but I'll do a follow up next weekend.
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07-26-2015, 04:53 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Trailer: Escape 17 ft
Posts: 8,317
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Shims I've used on my bike rack receiver ( at the back ) are intended to be used to attach an axe head to the handle. Got them at local hardware.
As you can see, I had limited room to pound it in. Metal is a bit soft, which probably helps.
__________________
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07-27-2015, 10:05 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Name: Steve
Trailer: Scamp 13
California
Posts: 1,889
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I have one stinger that rattled in the hitch. It was simple enough to run a couple of weld beads on the side and top of the stinger and grind them down until it fit snug in the receiver. No more clunk clunk on every dip.
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