Creaking and groaning
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 173
Likes: 1
Creaking and groaning
As I posted earlier in the Super Duty Forum, we brought our new camper home yesterday. On the 3 hr drive home I noticed a good deal of creaking and groaning from the hitch area of the new trailer. The noise was most noticeable during turns. It may have been the WD hitch too but it's the same one I used on our old trailer and never heard a noise.
Any ideas of what these noises could be? Is this normal for a new trailer (this is our first brand new trailer!)? The tongue weight (approx 650 to 700 lbs) on the new trailer is more than the old trailer but within the limits of the WD hitch (800 lbs rated). And of course and the truck too.
Any help on resolving the creaking and groaning noise would appreciated.
Any ideas of what these noises could be? Is this normal for a new trailer (this is our first brand new trailer!)? The tongue weight (approx 650 to 700 lbs) on the new trailer is more than the old trailer but within the limits of the WD hitch (800 lbs rated). And of course and the truck too.
Any help on resolving the creaking and groaning noise would appreciated.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
I think the noise has more to do with your hitch and WD bars than your trailer. Naturally a new trailer will change heights and angles, so, when your truck and trailer are on level ground, you may want to go over your hitch making sure every is level including the spring bars. A dab of grease on your ball may also help, if it is dry. If you are using a friction anti-sway bar, it will also add to the noise in turn, especially when it is too tight.
I would also suggest that some trailers seem to be more prone to the noise you are describing than others, and, while it is a nuisance, I have never seen it cause a problem.
Best of luck with your new trailer,
Steve
I would also suggest that some trailers seem to be more prone to the noise you are describing than others, and, while it is a nuisance, I have never seen it cause a problem.
Best of luck with your new trailer,
Steve
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Tucson
I had the same experience when we brought our new TT home from the dealer. I had never towed with a WD type hitch before and the noise was a litte unnerving at first. I also noticed on our last trip we got a lot more noise when I cranked down on the anti-sway device, which is a friction type. According to the manufacturer of the WD hitch we should have an anti-sway on both sides of the hitch due to the weight of the trailer, but the dealer only installed one. I thought cranking down on the friction might help, but other than more noise it didn't seem to make any difference.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
I had the same experience when we brought our new TT home from the dealer. I had never towed with a WD type hitch before and the noise was a litte unnerving at first. I also noticed on our last trip we got a lot more noise when I cranked down on the anti-sway device, which is a friction type. According to the manufacturer of the WD hitch we should have an anti-sway on both sides of the hitch due to the weight of the trailer, but the dealer only installed one. I thought cranking down on the friction might help, but other than more noise it didn't seem to make any difference.
This is just a thought, and I am not at all sure I am right, but looking at your picture, it appears your truck is squatted a bit with the front end, perhaps riding a little high. If you are have having handling problems, you may want to review your setup and make sure your trailer and truck are level and you spring bars are also level. In the event your handling is where you want it to be, please ignore this part of my comment.
This is our favorite time of year to RV. The campgrounds are not as crowded and frentic and soon we will have our fall colors here in Smokies.
Steve
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Tucson
Most tows do better using the WD hitches with the sway control built in, like the double cam, rather than with the friction type of control. I am surprised someone is recommending two friction controls as I would not expect your trailer to be that heavy given its apparent size.
This is just a thought, and I am not at all sure I am right, but looking at your picture, it appears your truck is squatted a bit with the front end, perhaps riding a little high. If you are have having handling problems, you may want to review your setup and make sure your trailer and truck are level and you spring bars are also level. In the event your handling is where you want it to be, please ignore this part of my comment.
This is our favorite time of year to RV. The campgrounds are not as crowded and frentic and soon we will have our fall colors here in Smokies.
Steve
This is just a thought, and I am not at all sure I am right, but looking at your picture, it appears your truck is squatted a bit with the front end, perhaps riding a little high. If you are have having handling problems, you may want to review your setup and make sure your trailer and truck are level and you spring bars are also level. In the event your handling is where you want it to be, please ignore this part of my comment.
This is our favorite time of year to RV. The campgrounds are not as crowded and frentic and soon we will have our fall colors here in Smokies.
Steve
You are correct about the picture, it was the first time I towed with the new truck. The trailer was sitting a little high and I'm still working on the new configuration. I don't really have a control issue, other than feeling some push when a semi rushes past me. According to the EazLift website trailers in the 10,000 pound range should have two anti-sway devices mounted. That is the maximum GVW for our trailer and I thought a second device might reduce the push a little when we get passed. I'm new at towing this kind of trailer, so I don't really know what is normal and what isn't. It doesn't help that out here where we live the wind is more or less constant, and I get some push from that also.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Steve,
You are correct about the picture, it was the first time I towed with the new truck. The trailer was sitting a little high and I'm still working on the new configuration. I don't really have a control issue, other than feeling some push when a semi rushes past me. According to the EazLift website trailers in the 10,000 pound range should have two anti-sway devices mounted. That is the maximum GVW for our trailer and I thought a second device might reduce the push a little when we get passed. I'm new at towing this kind of trailer, so I don't really know what is normal and what isn't. It doesn't help that out here where we live the wind is more or less constant, and I get some push from that also.
You are correct about the picture, it was the first time I towed with the new truck. The trailer was sitting a little high and I'm still working on the new configuration. I don't really have a control issue, other than feeling some push when a semi rushes past me. According to the EazLift website trailers in the 10,000 pound range should have two anti-sway devices mounted. That is the maximum GVW for our trailer and I thought a second device might reduce the push a little when we get passed. I'm new at towing this kind of trailer, so I don't really know what is normal and what isn't. It doesn't help that out here where we live the wind is more or less constant, and I get some push from that also.
Steve
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Tucson
Steve,
I took your advice and spent this morning leveling the rig. I read a number of posts in the sticky at the top of the Towing Forum, and watched a couple of videos at Etrailer before I began.
I had watched the "towing specialist" at the RV dealership install all the components of the WD hitch when I bought the trailer, but looking back I think he was shooting from the hip on his measurements. I ended up dropping the ball almost two inches and adding one link on the spring bars before I was done. Then I headed out for a 60 mile test drive, through town, onto the highway and back again. It's hard to describe the new set-up. I know the trailer is there, but it really doesn't do anything accept follow the truck. We had some wind today but I only felt the push a couple times, and the semi trucks that blew past me didn't seem to push as much either. Wow! Amazing what the correct configuration can do for you.
I guess the only question left is at what point would I need to re-configure? If I add a bunch of weight to the trailer, eg.500 pounds of wine from California, or basically am I OK with this set-up as long as I don't exceed the max GVW of the trailer?
I took your advice and spent this morning leveling the rig. I read a number of posts in the sticky at the top of the Towing Forum, and watched a couple of videos at Etrailer before I began.
I had watched the "towing specialist" at the RV dealership install all the components of the WD hitch when I bought the trailer, but looking back I think he was shooting from the hip on his measurements. I ended up dropping the ball almost two inches and adding one link on the spring bars before I was done. Then I headed out for a 60 mile test drive, through town, onto the highway and back again. It's hard to describe the new set-up. I know the trailer is there, but it really doesn't do anything accept follow the truck. We had some wind today but I only felt the push a couple times, and the semi trucks that blew past me didn't seem to push as much either. Wow! Amazing what the correct configuration can do for you.
I guess the only question left is at what point would I need to re-configure? If I add a bunch of weight to the trailer, eg.500 pounds of wine from California, or basically am I OK with this set-up as long as I don't exceed the max GVW of the trailer?
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Steve,
I took your advice and spent this morning leveling the rig. I read a number of posts in the sticky at the top of the Towing Forum, and watched a couple of videos at Etrailer before I began.
I had watched the "towing specialist" at the RV dealership install all the components of the WD hitch when I bought the trailer, but looking back I think he was shooting from the hip on his measurements. I ended up dropping the ball almost two inches and adding one link on the spring bars before I was done. Then I headed out for a 60 mile test drive, through town, onto the highway and back again. It's hard to describe the new set-up. I know the trailer is there, but it really doesn't do anything accept follow the truck. We had some wind today but I only felt the push a couple times, and the semi trucks that blew past me didn't seem to push as much either. Wow! Amazing what the correct configuration can do for you.
I guess the only question left is at what point would I need to re-configure? If I add a bunch of weight to the trailer, eg.500 pounds of wine from California, or basically am I OK with this set-up as long as I don't exceed the max GVW of the trailer?
I took your advice and spent this morning leveling the rig. I read a number of posts in the sticky at the top of the Towing Forum, and watched a couple of videos at Etrailer before I began.
I had watched the "towing specialist" at the RV dealership install all the components of the WD hitch when I bought the trailer, but looking back I think he was shooting from the hip on his measurements. I ended up dropping the ball almost two inches and adding one link on the spring bars before I was done. Then I headed out for a 60 mile test drive, through town, onto the highway and back again. It's hard to describe the new set-up. I know the trailer is there, but it really doesn't do anything accept follow the truck. We had some wind today but I only felt the push a couple times, and the semi trucks that blew past me didn't seem to push as much either. Wow! Amazing what the correct configuration can do for you.
I guess the only question left is at what point would I need to re-configure? If I add a bunch of weight to the trailer, eg.500 pounds of wine from California, or basically am I OK with this set-up as long as I don't exceed the max GVW of the trailer?
Steve
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: Alberta, Canada
I applaud your taking the time to do a proper setup with the WD hitch. That has been my experience as well - the dealer does not have a clue how to set up a WD hitch properly. When I picked up my first trailer the first time, I thought I had made a big mistake because it did not follow the truck too good. A couple of hours of research and a couple more down at the weigh scales, and you couldn't even tell the trailer was there, except for the odd wind or semi truck event. I have seen on the roads so many setups that are not done correctly, you can tell by the way they are going down the road, that it is refreshing to hear when other people have taken the time to be as safe as possible, not taken for granted their "right" to pull a trailer however they "feel" like it, while endangering countless others on the road. (rant over)
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