Trailer Hitch Play/Slop

[jacknbella]

Re: Trailer Hitch Play/Slop - UPDATE

Re: Trailer Hitch Play/Slop - UPDATE

Went ahead and purchased a coupling device (www.hitchrider.com) but the clunking noise is still there, although the hitch pin play inside the drawbar is gone. I was really hoping that would fix the problem though. Therefore, I triple-checked the hitch ball seating inside the coupler and everything appears to be rock solid with ZERO play. The trailer brakes work just fine and dandy when slowing down but I suppose I could bleed them anyway to see if that helps. Does anyone know if the trailer coupler mechanism is supposed to move forward and back (see photo)?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Trailer Hitch Play/Slop

I am sure you don't have a coupler like the one in the picture. That one is not a surge brake coupler. You need to do two things...make sure your brakes are bled and make sure they are adjusted. If the travel of the shoes to the drum is far, you will have more throw at the coupler.

 

[QC]

Re: Trailer Hitch Play/Slop

He may have discs . . . Try backing up in reverse with the wiring unplugged. If you can't, the brakes are good. This sounds like a properly working surge brake coupler to me. Does this coupler look familiar:

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Trailer Hitch Play/Slop

He may have discs

You are right...Four Winns was putting discs on their trailers recently.

 

[jacknbella]

Re: Trailer Hitch Play/Slop

Sorry about the coupling picture, that's the best I could find on the internet. My coupler is the standard Four Winns coupler for a trailer with surge brakes (dual axle). If all else fails, listen to the advice on iBoats... Bleed the brakes...yeah, I know...just dreading the fact it must be done...

Maybe I'll do it this weekend with help from a buddy...

 

[QC]

Re: Trailer Hitch Play/Slop - UPDATE

Re: Trailer Hitch Play/Slop - UPDATE

Well I am not convinced that you need to do anything . . .

Does anyone know if the trailer coupler mechanism is supposed to move forward and back (see photo)?

Yes. If you look at the pic that I posted, it is supposed to move back and forth within the small oval window with the large pin in the side. What's shown is brakes off, when you stop, the coupler slides back (trailer slides forward) squishing the fluid, when you take off the coupler slides forward with a fairly severe, unnerving, chunk/clank. Learn to reduce the severity with your right foot . . .

All trailers make noise . . . springs, axles, couplers, etc. etc. I was turning tightly in a parking lot yesterday and there were a bunch of creaks and groans. My wife was all worried over it. I just said, "you try turning if you have two axles that don't steer" . . .

 

[salty87]

Re: Trailer Hitch Play/Slop

i think they're prob working normally. checking fluid, etc can't hurt though.

try this next time you're hitched up....when you come to a complete stop, let off the brake and roll forward about 6"...no gas, just roll. you should hear a clunk and maybe some noise. then give it gas like normal and there should be no more clunk/noise. you've extended the piston/coupler slowly.

when you stop with surge brakes, the coupler is compressed all the way. when you take off, that compression has to be relieved or the brakes are still engaged. giving it gas jerks it and you can feel it in the tow vehicle and hear it.

just something to get used to...either rolling a couple of inches before you take off or living with the clunk.

 

[boat1010]

Re: Trailer Hitch Play/Slop

You can get a kit from auto zone. it is a one man brake bleeder kit. All it is is a small bottle that has a hose and some small tapered fittings that go inside the bleeder valve. You just loosen the bleeder valve with the tapered fitting in it and the bubbles and brake fluid come out and bleed the brakes. It is only a couple of bucks and the instructions are in the box.

 

[DABS]

Re: Trailer Hitch Play/Slop

To check your brakes, unplug the trailer and try to back up a slight grade. When the brakes apply completely, set your emergency brake and observe the location of the forward pin in the slot on the side. Full brake application should occur 1/2 to 3/4 of the travel in the slot. If it is traveling any more than that, the brakes need to be re-bled. If you have a UFP actuator like the one posted in the previous post, you can go to ufpnet.com and click on actuators, then download the maintenance booklet for the A-60, A-75 & A-84. You should already have this booklet if you have a new trailer. The bleeding instructions are on page 22-25 and are fairly easy with a screwdriver through the access hole on the bottom of the actuator. There are also some short videos there that show the inner workings of the actuator so you can familiarize yourself with the process. If you don't have a booklet, you can call 1-800-835-9211 ext 11 or 16 and one will be sent to you in the mail.

 

[Ficht Guy]

Re: Trailer Hitch Play/Slop

What is the make of your tow vehicle. Some GM Trucks are coming with a 2.5 inch reciever now instead of the 2" inch.

 

[mandopickr]

Re: Trailer Hitch Play/Slop

My guess is that it is the hitch pin. I have no issue when pulling my utility trailer or 14 ft aluminum boat, but needed this pin when I pull my 21 ft tahoe:

http://www.everthere.net/hitch/hitch_pin.php

This locks the hitch into the receiver better, and keeps it from moving when you start or stop.

 

[jacknbella]

Re: Trailer Hitch Play/Slop

I decided to go with an Anti-Rattle Clamp device instead (approx $30) and it does a GREAT job of eliminating any slop within the drawbar and hitch pin. It even improved the "clunking" noise when trailering. However, the included bolts were junk so I went to Ace Hardware to get some MUCH harder ones (approx $3)... Thanks again for all the help!

 

[Stepney55]

Re: Trailer Hitch Play/Slop

Yep my surge brakes do it too. During hard stops and dead starts aafter the subsequent hard stops. This was my first boat w/ a trailer w/ surge brakes.

 

[dirtyoldman]

Re: Trailer Hitch Play/Slop

Have you measured tongue weight. Needs to be about 10%, absolutely no less than 5%. That's probably 150-400 lbs depending on your boat. I have a sloppy receiver hitch too, but I never hear it when a properly loaded trailer is hooked up.

I think all the new GM's are like this.....

 

[jacknbella]

Re: Trailer Hitch Play/Slop

Unfortunately, no, I haven't measured tongue weight. I live in the boonies so my options are very limited. When I lower the tongue onto the hitch ball, there appears to be a descent amount of gravity pushing it down, maybe a little too much. I recently switched to a 5" drop hitch drawbar too which leveled the trailer better so with that and the anti-rattle device, my problem seems to be fixed, for the most part.

Thanks in advance