Edgy2 Posted May 3, 2008 Report Share Posted May 3, 2008 I towed my trailer for the first time today with my '07 SEL AWD, and the constant "thumping" was enough to drive me nuts! I have the factory Class II hitch setup on my Edge, and I am using a Reese draw bar that is brand new. The draw bar fit is rather loose in the factory receiver, and it makes LOTS of noise when the trailer causes it to want to move a bit. (Hitting bumps in the road, etc.) I can apply a few well placed welds and beef up the diameter of the draw bar in the places needed for a tighter fit in the receiver, but I was curious if anyone else has noticed a loose fit between the factory hitch receiver and the draw bar they are using. (I have had many vehicles with receiver hitch's, but this is the first time I noticed this much play between the receiver and draw bar?) Thanks for any feedback to satisfy my curiosity! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldog Posted May 4, 2008 Report Share Posted May 4, 2008 that thumping drove me nuts awhile back when i towed, i finally just turned up the radio to tune it out. i never did check what it was, but extra play is probably what it was. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex Talionis Posted May 4, 2008 Report Share Posted May 4, 2008 "Tired of that irritating noise while hauling your treasured boat or camping trailer?" http://www.hitchshim.com/index-1.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott S Posted May 4, 2008 Report Share Posted May 4, 2008 Mine rattles real bad also. I noticed after a winter of hauling my sled that the edge of the draw bar had a groove worn into it from the constant banging around. Not the best quality hitch in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex Talionis Posted May 5, 2008 Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 I have been trying to contact the hitch shim company for a 10 days now, but no joy. I have a hitch bike rack and it is a bit sloppy in my 2" after-market hitch - is it the hitch or is it the bike rack - so figured I would try the product and report back. well, if I can ever get one.. I will post up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgy2 Posted May 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 I thought the cure I arrived at for the annoying thumping/rattle caused by the poor fit between the drawbar and the hitch receiver may be helpful to others. I considered shimming the drawbar, and I did initially to arrive at what needed to be done to the drawbar to build the area for a snug fit. I mig welded a bead across the top and bottom of the drawbar, at the rear on the bottom, and on the top about flush with the front of the drawbar area when it is installed in the receiver with the pin inserted. I then added 2 welds to one side of the drawbar, at the rear and again near the front where the drawbar made contact with the receiver when installed and pinned. I then milled the welded beads down, about .010 at a time until I arrived at a very snug fit inside the receiver on my Edge. The result took a bit of time, and I realize not everyone has access to a welder and verticle milling machine, but the same could be accompished with the welds and a grinder or file. It now fits very snug, and I am sure the thumping and rattling are a thing of the past. I can post a couple of pictures later if that would be helpful. My biggest concern with the thumping due to the poor fit was stress on the hitch receiver when towing. That banging around is not good for bolts or welds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex Talionis Posted March 27, 2009 Report Share Posted March 27, 2009 Finally, I got the weld trick done today thanks to a buddy. 2 beads, not very tall, as I just needed to take up the minor space. hand insert is very snug so I have good expectations. I am convinced the Curt hitch is not the culprit, but a foreign made bike hitch with a draw bar fit that is not spec (and it uses an ABS high impact plstic adaptor to take it from Class I to Class II) is the issue. the sway of my bikes was driving me crazy. So, here are some photos before I paint it up. I will find out if it works as I travel with the bikes this weekend and I will report back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlazedUp Posted March 27, 2009 Report Share Posted March 27, 2009 Damn Lex, was your welder blind. I made better beads on my first attempt at welding. They do look strong though and you'll never see them. Hope it solves your issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex Talionis Posted March 27, 2009 Report Share Posted March 27, 2009 Damn Lex, was your welder blind. I made better beads on my first attempt at welding. They do look strong though and you'll never see them. Hope it solves your issue. boy you sure talk a big game... as though it really matters the weld in this situation that is hidden and only used to take up space and has no structural requirements... I could not care less if it was zig-zagged or a smiley face. if it takes up the right room, stops the slop, who cares. and BTW, yes, he does only have 1 eye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlazedUp Posted March 27, 2009 Report Share Posted March 27, 2009 LMFAO ! @ "one eye" :hysterical2: Relax man, just making an observation. No need to go off on a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KCFlyer Posted March 27, 2009 Report Share Posted March 27, 2009 I was bugged by noise from the drawbar thumping around, too. I found that it was only a problem when I did not have enough weight on the trailer tongue. Adjusting the load to make sure I had a little weight on the drawbar decreased the noise to a point where it didn't bother me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lex Talionis Posted March 27, 2009 Report Share Posted March 27, 2009 LMFAO ! @ "one eye" :hysterical2: Relax man, just making an observation. No need to go off on a guess you missed the sarcasm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlazedUp Posted March 27, 2009 Report Share Posted March 27, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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