Hitch groans loudly when turning
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3079
Printed Date: 25 May 2025 at 8:54am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Hitch groans loudly when turning
Posted By: P&M
Subject: Hitch groans loudly when turning
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2012 at 1:59pm
|
Noticed that when we are turning, like in going around a corner on a side street, that something in the hitch or the anti-sway bar groans very loudly (well, loudly to us). Is this normal? M said that her dad used to use vaseline on the ball of his hitch back when they used to go out in the 70's, but I'm thinking it may be coming more from the anti-sway bar than the ball'n'coupler. Is that a sign that I may have tightened it too much? ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Replies:
Posted By: bhamster
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2012 at 5:55pm
| It's probably the anti-sway bar. Our's does that when it's wet or when it needs to be cleaned. Of course loosening it will also reduce the noise, but then it won't be as effective. |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2012 at 6:52pm
|
When you have friction metal on metal plus weight, and it moves it will make a noise. When I bought my equalizer hitch with sway control, I was told that it would be noisy. It's normal. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: TIDALWAVE
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2012 at 6:55pm
|
You can put a small dab of axle grease on the tow ball before you attach the Pod. The instructions on my sway bars also said that I could apply a small amount of axle grease onto the contact points where the sway bars rub against the tongue brackets. But looking at the sway bars it appears that friction helps cut down the side to side sway when the bars move back and forth through their brackets. So I have not lubed the sway bars but do inspect them for wear. ------------- TIDALWAVE |
Posted By: dsmiths
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2012 at 6:59pm
|
If you have a friction type antisway bar that you can turn the handle to increase or decrease the clamping force, that is what you are hearing, ours moans when turning, after I get near the campgrounds and or at the check in point, I get out during check in and store it, that way I dont forget and try to back with it on and buckle or damage it. ------------- Dane and Donna Smith 2011 RP-172 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4 lift kit prodigy wireless brake controller |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2012 at 7:02pm
|
If you use axle grease you defeat the purpose of the friction, my dealer told me to use a little vaseline. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2012 at 7:13pm
|
I guarantee it is your friction bar. In 26 years of towing I've never found it necessary to lube the ball. That would be an easy mess if you did, or you have to go to extra lengths to keep it from getting all over you and the TV (when removed from the receiver). Someone mentioned cleaning the bar, I had to do that once in a while by taking a file to the bar. Also read your bar's instructions to see how tight to make it. The one I had for our popup had them printed right on the bar, and I think it was supposed to be turned no more than 1 full turn after initial contact. While you can lube the mini balls on either end (I wouldn't and didn't, they don't make any noise) you never want to lube the bar. If you have an Equalizer or E2 you have to be careful about what you lubricate. You can lube the pockets on the head where the spring bars mount, but you should not lubricate the bars themselves where they rub on the L brackets. That is where the anti-sway friction is created. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
|
Posted By: sammycamper
Date Posted: 05 Nov 2012 at 9:08pm
|
I'll defer to techntrek's advise about not lubricating the antisway bars; but, when I had vulgar sounds coming from the weight distribution hitch that we used on our previous camper, I sprayed WD40 on everything that looked like it might rub on something else, and it went away. Sam |
Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2012 at 10:58am
|
Thanks everyone! I am positive now that it is the friction anti-sway bar, and something we'll just get used to. Ours clearly states on the label on it to never lubricate the bars, and I'll take another look to see if it has any direction on how much to tighten it.
And DSmiths, thanks for the tip of removing it at check-in! ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: Racer|X|
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2012 at 7:50pm
|
My sway bar did this when I over tightened it. X ------------- |
Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2012 at 10:19am
|
Yup, it was the sway bar. Didn't tighten it as much this last trip out and it made a huge difference ... thanks! ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: Racer|X|
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2012 at 11:56am
|
Yeah...kinda had me concerned the first time I did it. Glad it was simple and nothing bad. ------------- |
Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 11 Nov 2012 at 2:05pm
|
Although everything above is undoubtedly true, there is one hitch that absolutely requires lubrication each and every tow. If you have a trunion style load distributing hitch, as we do, you must keep the upper and lower trunion arm pockets lubed. We use a heavy silicone grease, but any heavy grease will minimize wear. ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2012 at 8:55pm
|
That is optional for the E2 and Equalizer (trunnion style). See page 15 item f: http://www.fastwaytrailer.com/pdf/e2_trunnion_instructions_0212.pdf - http://www.fastwaytrailer.com/pdf/e2_trunnion_instructions_0212.pdf ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
|
Posted By: coopercdrkey
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2012 at 6:51am
|
Different recommendations from different manufacturers, I guess. Curt makes it very clear that the trunion pockets be cleaned and re-greased after (or before) every tow. ------------- Bob and Joyce Jennifer and Baxter, the Campin' Cocker Spaniels RP 177 "Key Pod" Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT / Z71 |