2021 Defender towing, hitch, sway, pin to ball length.
#41
#42
I am towing for the first time, and after picking up an unladen uhaul 5x8 trailer the drive home the hitch/tow bar/tow ball made a lot of noise. upon inspection with the empty trailer on, the hitch ball is bouncing some in the receiver on the hitch. I have the curt slim adjustable channel mount (https://www.curtmfg.com/part/45903) which slid in fine, but didn’t really go that deep because of where the hole is drilled for the cotter pin.
Is it just because it’s empty or should it bounce around that much? Maybe 1/8th “ of travel if I grab the trailer and yank up and down. Is there a shim I should be putting in this? I kinda assumed if you had that receiver that all of the trailer ball assemblies would be a standard size. I’m worried that it’s not in deep enough, and I need to drive 1100 miles on Friday so would like to be certain, as it’s a disconcerting noise at 35-40 mph from Uhaul to my mom’s house
Thanks
Is it just because it’s empty or should it bounce around that much? Maybe 1/8th “ of travel if I grab the trailer and yank up and down. Is there a shim I should be putting in this? I kinda assumed if you had that receiver that all of the trailer ball assemblies would be a standard size. I’m worried that it’s not in deep enough, and I need to drive 1100 miles on Friday so would like to be certain, as it’s a disconcerting noise at 35-40 mph from Uhaul to my mom’s house
Thanks
#43
Please forgive me if this is too remedial, as I'm trying to ensure all bases are covered.
Where is the movement? Is it in the receiver where the hitch mount slides in and attaches with the pin? Is there wiggling in the pin itself (pin too small), or is it due to rotation around the pin?
I'm assuming it's the latter, and you're able to get 1/8" movement by yanking the trailer itself? It must be seriously underweighted at the end of the tongue if you can do that. I've always had some hitch play in the channel myself. Perhaps 1/8" out at the ball is about right, but I can't actually see that play with the trailer on, due to the tongue weight.
It is important that you have a properly balanced trailer (tongue weight 10 to 15% of total trailer weight). Too light, and you can sway too much and lose control.
That said, towing can be a bit of a noisy experience if there's play in the system like you describe. I hope this helps a bit. It's hard to provide anything definitive.
Where is the movement? Is it in the receiver where the hitch mount slides in and attaches with the pin? Is there wiggling in the pin itself (pin too small), or is it due to rotation around the pin?
I'm assuming it's the latter, and you're able to get 1/8" movement by yanking the trailer itself? It must be seriously underweighted at the end of the tongue if you can do that. I've always had some hitch play in the channel myself. Perhaps 1/8" out at the ball is about right, but I can't actually see that play with the trailer on, due to the tongue weight.
It is important that you have a properly balanced trailer (tongue weight 10 to 15% of total trailer weight). Too light, and you can sway too much and lose control.
That said, towing can be a bit of a noisy experience if there's play in the system like you describe. I hope this helps a bit. It's hard to provide anything definitive.
#45
I don’t know the terms, but this is play in the hitch ball mount and the hitch ball bar that the ball is on, so if I (on the empty trailer) grab the tow bar and lift up, it rocks up/down in the hitch receiver itself. The hitch ball is tight, the chains are tight, but the black draw bar that the curt 2” ball is on wiggles in the hitch.
That makes sense? Here’s a short video probably make it easier
That makes sense? Here’s a short video probably make it easier
#46
I am towing for the first time, and after picking up an unladen uhaul 5x8 trailer the drive home the hitch/tow bar/tow ball made a lot of noise. upon inspection with the empty trailer on, the hitch ball is bouncing some in the receiver on the hitch. I have the curt slim adjustable channel mount (https://www.curtmfg.com/part/45903) which slid in fine, but didn’t really go that deep because of where the hole is drilled for the cotter pin.
Is it just because it’s empty or should it bounce around that much? Maybe 1/8th “ of travel if I grab the trailer and yank up and down. Is there a shim I should be putting in this? I kinda assumed if you had that receiver that all of the trailer ball assemblies would be a standard size. I’m worried that it’s not in deep enough, and I need to drive 1100 miles on Friday so would like to be certain, as it’s a disconcerting noise at 35-40 mph from Uhaul to my mom’s house
Thanks
Is it just because it’s empty or should it bounce around that much? Maybe 1/8th “ of travel if I grab the trailer and yank up and down. Is there a shim I should be putting in this? I kinda assumed if you had that receiver that all of the trailer ball assemblies would be a standard size. I’m worried that it’s not in deep enough, and I need to drive 1100 miles on Friday so would like to be certain, as it’s a disconcerting noise at 35-40 mph from Uhaul to my mom’s house
Thanks
#47
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#50
lf you've got air suspension it will automatically level the vehicle.
We've now got a 2022 Defender 90 on coils and the suspension doesn't sag when the caravan is connected.
However the nose or tongue weight on our unit is only 90kg
l imagine if you have a much larger unit with a higher nose/tongue weight you're going to get the rear suspension sagging unless you've got air suspension.
We've now got a 2022 Defender 90 on coils and the suspension doesn't sag when the caravan is connected.
However the nose or tongue weight on our unit is only 90kg
l imagine if you have a much larger unit with a higher nose/tongue weight you're going to get the rear suspension sagging unless you've got air suspension.
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mzeee (04-10-2023)