How to Reduce Excessive Trailer Noise Banging/Rattling

Question

Question:

Hi there, I tow a landscaping trailer for a living and the amount of banging that occurs when towing empty has neighbors complaining and me cringing with every crease in the road. Im seeking information on options for addressing the constant banging - anything I could install or have installed to quiet the commute and use. The noise comes mostly from the tailgate rattling within its pins, but also from the trailer itself banging on the frame. Minor noise comes from the hitch itself. Thank you!

asked by: Kaitlin S

0

Expert Reply:

It sounds to me like the hinge pin on your trailer's tailgate is worn and is causing excessive movement which will result in a noisy ride. In order to secure the tailgate to the trailer while driving down the road I recommend using a set of ratchet straps like the Erickson Re-Tractable Ratchet Straps part # EM34415.

In order to reduce movement and rattling from the ball mount inside the receiver tube you will want to use an anti-rattle hitch pin such as the Anti-Rattle Trailer Hitch Receiver Lock part # 63232 for 2" receiver tube openings. The anti-rattle hitch pin also has a key lock for security. As long as you have a hollow ball mount this this option will work well for you. If you have a1-1/4" receiver tube opening, you could try the hitch lock # e98879, it also requires that you have a hollow ball mount. You can check out either of the hitch pins in action in the attached video. You can check out either of the hitch pins in action in the attached video.

If there is excessive movement from the hitch ball inside your trailer coupler then it is either time to rebuild the latching mechanism or replace the trailer coupler. In order to replace the coupler I would need to know the hitch ball size needed, gross trailer weight (GTW), if you have an a-frame or straight tongue trailer, and the frame rail dimensions. In order to recommend a latch rebuild kit I would need to know the brand of your coupler, hitch ball size, and GTW.

expert reply by: Conner L

0

Answer 1

If you went with the next larger 15 inch trailer tire size of 225/75-15 in place of what you currently have and went with a higher Load Range which calls for higher PSI you'd gain about half an inch overall. For that I'd recommend the…

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Answer 2

Yes you can use the same size tire and same wheel and upgrade the tires. I recommend the Provider ST225/75R15 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range E #TR225LRE. They are rated for 2,830 lbs at 80 psi and speeds up to 81 mph. These tires come with a 2 year…

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Answer 3

When you tighten the two nuts on the studs of the Trailer Spare Tire Carrier #DL22128 you were looking at, it will squeeze the tire against the frame which will keep it secure and won't allow it to slide back and forth. I wouldn't hesitate to…

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Answer 4

The Buyers Products 24" Fluorescent Orange Marker Kit #3371308103 are a hollow Nylon construction. They are pretty rigid/sturdy and are designed to be used on vehicles.

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Answer 5

I would be happy to help. The reason the LED Triple Trailer Tail Light - 4 Function - 36 Diodes - Black Base - Red, Amber, and Clear Lens #47-84-005 is due to the wiring on your vehicle thinking that the bulb is burnt out due to the lower power draw…

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Answer 6

Rusty weld nuts can make trailer hitch installs pretty difficult but there are solutions. First you want to clean them as well as possible so that hopefully that allows the bolts to thread. But worst case scenario you can use a thread tap to clean…

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Answer 7

Assuming that the hitch was properly installed, what you are experiencing is most likely your drawbar moving around in the receiver. This is a fairly common occurrence, the drawbar is meant to fit fairly snug into the receiver, but differences in…

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Answer 8

The difference is found in the application. The Slipper Spring styles, like part #SP-179275, are intended for use with more heavy duty applications, while the Double Eye styles, like part #e77SR are used to provide a more comfortable ride. The part…

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Answer 9

I spoke with Erickson about the Erickson Horizontal E-Tracks like part #E19148 and they stated that in order to obtain the full weight capacity you would need to use every hole. If you do not need the full weight capacity then you would just need to…

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Answer 10

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 11

It sounds like you would like to know the difference between an anti-rattle locking pin like part #63232 and an U-bolt style anti-rattle like part #RM-061 and to be honest they both work well. However, the anti-rattle locking pin does require an…

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