Mods to keep ball hitch from rattling

[4x15mph]

My ball hitch wiggles a bit in the receiver <insert joke here>

I have used a wood shim (another joke?) previously that keeps the hitch from rattling but it is a pain to remove everytime I want to change out the hitch with my bike rack. I have also wrapped it in tape although that is hard to get in and out.

I see some kits on trailers.com that involve bolting down the hitch.

Any other ideas? What are others doing? DIY mods? Thank you

 

[Bill D]

<insert joke here>

Trade in the old girl for a younger model with a tighter reciever.

 

[malibu Dan]

Just a thought.. My bike rake has a receiver with a nut inside the hitch. After I insert the hitch and align the holes a bolt tightens down the receiver ..

 

[Julian]

No solutions from me...but I've watched the thread in case someone has a brilliant one! I've used the tape method....but eventually you have to re-tape etc....at least it stops the metal clunking sound for the most part.

 

[veedubtek]

E trailer sells an anti rattle kit which is really just a bolt, and insert, lockable, for about $25. Works well. Picked up a small bottle of, umm, ball lube, from west marine a couple weeks ago that worked well too.

 

[McMark]

Turn up the radio

 

[swatski]

Picked up a small bottle of, umm, ball lube, from west marine a couple weeks ago that worked well too.

Perv.

 

[KXCam22]

My mod work excellently but takes some work. The receiver on my Tundra seems extra large and rattles. On all my hitches (the part that inserts) I used my arc welder to run 2 beads of weld down the top and one side (only where it goes into the receiver). I then ground them flat until the hitch fits into the receiver snugly. Now mine fit perfectly and make no noise. What I would do now is drill a side hole in the receiver and weld on a 5/8" nut over the hole. Then you could use a 5/8" bolt to preload the side of the hitch to take out any slack, and noise. I grease the shaft so it doesn't get stuck or rusted in. Hope this helps. Cam.

 

[4x15mph]

Interesting to see that others have the same problem. I don't like having slop in this connection point and it is really less about the rattle versus keeping the dog on a tight leash.

Almost a good excuse to get an arc welder. I hope not to drill the receiver hitch

I read that some of the one's you buy (i.e. eTrailer) only stop movement in 1 direction (vertical/horizontal). My wedge of wood does better than that

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Pour saltwater on the hitch every Saturday for a month ..... Boom! Problem solved

 

[Speedling]

Had that issue once. Welded a thin metal shim to it. It was just one hitch that did it.
I have access to a lot of metal and a welder though...

 

[Andy S]

When I bought a Gen-Y Hitch for my new to me 2011 F-250, the dealer mentioned I might need shim for a snuggle fit. When I installed the new 2.5" shank into the receiver it was a tight fit so no shim. Gen-Y sells the shims in 2" and 2.5". I was told that once you set the shim to the right spot on the shank then you should never have to mess with it again.

 

[Mainah]

The shim thing is nice. Some deep woods types weld a bead on the top and side of the draw bar and grind down till happy. Not sure that it is a great idea to apply heat to a load carrying part like that but something I have seen.

 

[Speedling]

The shim thing is nice. Some deep woods types weld a bead on the top and side of the draw bar and grind down till happy. Not sure that it is a great idea to apply heat to a load carrying part like that but something I have seen.

Good idea actually