Curt Hitch - Movement and Clanging During Start/Stop

[Jerome10]

I purchased a cargo trailer a couple months ago. I have only moved it around a couple times after buying it, and not yet gotten my supplies and things in there. So it is light (I think about 2400lbs empty, tandem axle, 7000 gross rated).

Last couple times I'm towing I notice it feels and sounds like the hitch is moving in the receiver. When I slow down I get a thunk or clunk. Then when I start to accelerate from a stop I get a thunk or clunk. It feels really sloppy. I can easily move and shake it around with my hand when it is installed in the truck's receiver.

I'm using a basic Curt hitch, 2" drop. Ball size is correct at 2 5/16". 2" receiver size. Hitch is rated for 7000lbs (I'll never actually pull that heavy, probably around 5000lbs max). I'm certain it is the correct size everywhere for my purposes.

I've seen these clamps around, but they look like a pain and I'll probably have to hook and unhook several times a week.

Do I need a different/higher end brand of hitch? Would that be more likely to fit snugly? Is it possible to get a slightly bigger diameter pin that might take out some of the movement? Anything else I can check?

Once I get the trailer loaded and more tongue weight, will it likely go away?

Just looking for some suggestions but this is my first truck and trailer and I'm simply not too familiar with things. My main concern, other than it being a bit annoying and makes me a bit paranoid, is after enough time/miles won't that hitch pin start to make the holes in the truck's receiver "stretch"? Or is that an unnecessary worry?

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[Moe7]

The hitch is fine with the play. But to get rid of the sound you can use something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V57Z6NP

I've been using them for a few years with my B&W. You can stack them and trim down the width to get exactly what you need. I left mine a little snug so the pin draws everything tight.

 

[Jerome10]

The hitch is fine with the play. But to get rid of the sound you can use something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V57Z6NP

I've been using them for a few years with my B&W. You can stack them and trim down the width to get exactly what you need. I left mine a little snug so the pin draws everything tight.

That is a great suggestion! Thanks. Need to put in an order for a few things anyway so I'll toss this in. Definitely worth a shot.

 

[FaaWrenchBndr]

I’ll ask the question just for shits and grins. You do have the right size pin installed?

 

[jhelrey]

A tandem axle trailer empty will bounce a lot. If you disconnect it from the truck, I bet it will damn near sit level by itself.

I understand the noise complaint as mine does the same thing when empty.

 

[Chris GTO TT]

I’ll ask the question just for shits and grins. You do have the right size pin installed?

Yeah make sure you have the correct pin size, though they are pretty standard now.

A tandem axle trailer empty will bounce a lot. If you disconnect it from the truck, I bet it will damn near sit level by itself.

I understand the noise complaint as mine does the same thing when empty.

Yeah empty and light trailers bounce a lot and cause a lot more noise. It's just the nature of the beast.

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