Receiver Loose
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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=8720
Printed Date: 25 Jun 2025 at 8:30pm
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Topic: Receiver Loose
Posted By: Larabee
Subject: Receiver Loose
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2016 at 12:45pm
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Hello,
We just purchased our 179 and noticed on the way home that there seemed to be a shift in weight on the rear and then a loud banging noise from time to time. We called the dealership, and they said it was normal. Once we got home we noticed that there's play where the receiver goes into the hitch (they installed both). Is this the problem? It seems like it would be. We're new to towing anything, and advice would be helpful. Thanks in advance for your help! |
Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2016 at 1:39pm
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Doesn't sound normal to me. We are on our second pod and weight shifting and bangs don't sound like a good thing. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2016 at 3:23pm
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There can be some tolerance stacking that makes some receiver bars noisy.Verify you don't have another issue, ie: wrong sized ball or not latched properly. One thing to do, once unhooked, go out there and kick the hitch back and forth and see if you hear what you heard.. ------------- |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2016 at 3:28pm
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Not really enough info - pics would be great -- but it doesn't sound right to me either. Find someone other than the dealer to inspect it. If there are any loose nuts or bolts, don't tow without tightening them. It could be that you're just new to towing and nothing's wrong, but this is the kind of thing you need to pay attention to. If it doesn't feel right, get it checked out. Way too much at stake to do otherwise. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: codycountry
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2016 at 4:03pm
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Two questions: What tow vehicle are you pulling with? When parked flat and level (and hitched up), is the tongue of the rpod level to the ground, or is it pointing up or down from level?
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Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2016 at 4:44pm
| I think NO. There are subtle noises from receiver in hitch, but hitch pin and receiver holes should match. Ball should be tight, TV receiver fully locked on ball. There is not a lot of room for movement. Don't call - have someone look at it. There is a number of things could be wrong. Really a safety issue. |
Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2016 at 6:54pm
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This could be the tow bar has play in the vehicle hitch receiver. Until I installed a clunk stopper on my receiver, it would knock on bumps and turns. Shown is the anti-rattle shackle ($20), and my old tow bar (I currently use an Anderson tow bar, but I still do use the anti-rattle shackle.).    ------------- 2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2016 at 7:47pm
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+1
I used a different style of hitch tightener. Before getting it, we experienced the same clunking noises. You didn't say what hitch you got. We have the Equal-i-zer 4-way stabilization hitch. The bars for that also make groaning and clunking noises. Sway Bracket Jackets from Equal-i-zer quiet those noises. Also, grease the bar pivots per the instructions unless you have the Andersen hitch which shouldn't be greased. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: ToolmanJohn
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2016 at 8:44pm
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The Anderson hitch , it doesn't matter if the tow ball is greased or not, the tow ball rotates with the trailer anyway. The anti-sway is a friction cup that the ball mounts in, and the WD is accomplished with urethane bumpers mounted to chains instead of spring bars like traditional WD hitches. I do use grease on the Anderson tow ball, it can make noise. A little lithium quiets it up nicely. I found that it does settle the R-Pod down on uneven roads extremely quickly, and I don't know I'm towing it on the highway, very stable. ------------- 2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 04 Sep 2016 at 3:41pm
I thought I would make a couple of more comments about this. Did you notice this noise going down the road straight? Was it when you hit a bump? Was it going around gentle curves or sharp curves? Was it when you were turning a corner left or right? If it was straight and/or bumps, then I would suggest play in the hitch shank and the receiver. This will be banging or clunking noises, but they are not that loud. This type of noise can be minimized with a hitch tightener. If it is on curves, and especially when making a sharp turn, then it is most likely the bars sliding along the brackets. That is metal on metal. It will really make a loud banging or clunking noise as well as groaning noises as the bar slides. The groaning is when it is sliding. The banging is when it has enough friction to hold it long enough to let pressure build and then releases and slides. This type of noise can be reduced by using Sway Bracket Jackets or by greasing the sway brackets. This will reduce sway control a little, but not so much that it negates sway control. Please let us know when you figure out the cause of your noises. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Larabee
Date Posted: 04 Sep 2016 at 3:56pm
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Hello Everyone,
Thanks for the feed back. It appears that the hitch has a lot of play when it is in the receiver and since the mountain roads in our coastal Northern California area are pretty bad the noise was generated every time the weight shifted the hitch it made the noise. I purchased a hitch that fits snugger, and the noise and shifting of weight went away. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 04 Sep 2016 at 8:29pm
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Great! I'm glad you found a solution for your problem.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 04 Sep 2016 at 9:14pm
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Good news!!
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |