OEM hitch noise - question

[ncx]

I did not see any posts on this when searching. I finally got around o getting my 6'x8' trailer out and did a few Home Depot runs this past weekend. The X did fabulously. Even loaded with dirt and mulch I could barely even tell the trailer was back there on acceleration or braking. And it looked cool too

One exception is the noise. The tongue was making a clacking noise. I pulled over several times to check it and everything was fine. I think the noise is coming from the receiver. It seems as though the OEM drop bar is a little loose where it goes into the receiver (most are). For some reason it seems to be moving around enough to cause a loud clank on every bump in the road. Maybe the angle is wrong, or the drop is too low?

I never had any noise like that on any previous hitch with that same trailer. I thought about wrapping the end of the drop bar in one wrap of duct tape to see if it is just a rattle. Has anyone heard this noise, and if so, have you found a simple fix?

Thanks

[JCL]

Haven't heard that noise. If the square receiver tube is loose, then a shim of tape would be fine.

I would look at the hitch ball before the receiver. Don't know what the design of your hitch latch/lock is like, and I know it is your trailer and not a rental, so you know how it works, but I would make sure it is tight. Also, and this isn't meant to be insulting, but is the hitch ball the same size as the hitch? Lots of times that is where the noise is (apart from not being safe).

Jeff

[dksavage]

My OEM hitch has an adjusting bolt to stop this.

[ncx]

JCL: thanks for the reply. I'll try another ball I have that is by a different mfg just to be sure that is not the source of the noise. I am using the BMW hitch ball right now.

dksavage: Interesting. My OEM hitch does not have that adjustment. Thanks for the info.

[Thunder22]

I used my '01 4.4i to tow my Kawasaki 1100STX jetski almost every weekend in the summer and the hitch was very noisy, don't sweat it. You can shim the receptacle if you want, but once i got used to the noise i actually liked it, it let me know the trailer was still back there

[bs90143]

You are hearing so much noise is one of two reasons. First the X5 is a unibody vehicle, in other words the reciever is attached to the frame of the X5 which is essentially the cabin. My mom's landcruiser is a body on frame vehicle. So when the trailer is connected the frame absorbs most of the noise because the frame and body are two different things. Also, you will hear noise from the trailer when there is not much tongue weight. In other words when you load the trailer put most of the weight towards the front of the trailer. That will keep the reciever from rattling as much. When I first pulled a trailer with mine I did the same thing. Drove out of the driveway and heard lots of noise. Got out and checked it, nothing was wrong. Anyways hope this helps.

[ncx]

Gresch, bs90143,

Thanks for the additional info.