Troubleshooting Rattle After Trailer Hitch Install When Driving

Updated 08/06/2020 | Published 07/21/2020

Question:

I had this hitch installed on my GMC Terrain and now, when I hit bumps, it sounds like something is rattling. Also, when in a higher gear, at lower RPMs, there’s a deep humming noise, which disappears when I let off the gas. I’m not sure if there’s some weird contact with the hitch and the muffler or if there was an issue with the install. I figured I would ask if anyone had a similar issue, prior to contacting the shop that I had do the install. I checked under the car, it doesn’t seem like anything is loose and all the rubber bumpers appear to be in place on the muffler.

asked by: Tommy D

Expert Reply:

Hitch rattle like you described is a somewhat common occurrence after an install. The problem is that the hitch is now too close to the exhaust which moves a bit when driving and it starts hitting the hitch. What you can do is bend the exhaust hangers to allow the hitch to be further away from the hitch or you can go with different length exhaust hangers till you get the correct clearance.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Tommy D.

7/29/2020

I'm not sure I can bend the exhaust hangers on my own but I'll check that out and if not, I'll bring it back to the shop that installed the hitch. Aside from the rattle, any thoughts on what would cause the deep humming noise?

Jon G.

8/6/2020

I don't think I've ever heard of a deep humming noise as the result of a trailer hitch installation. Try fixing the exhaust hangers and see if that changes anything. If a shop did the install you might want to double check with them as well.