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becker's avatar
becker
Explorer
May 23, 2017

Motorhome hitch receiver has play in it

I have a 08 Monaco Dynasty..... the hitch is rated at 10,000 lbs.... I have a Roadmaster Blackhawk All Terrain 2 Towing system.... when I slip my Roadmaster hitch bar into the receiver on the coach, there is a little play left to right.... very little, maybe 1/16 to 1/8 inch.... a poster on this blog had the same problem.... he solved it by using another type of lynch pin.... after you inserted it you tightened a nut and it held the tow bar very tight in the receiver and it eliminated the play in the hitch (I may not be explaining the lynch pin correctly).... my question is: has anyone had this problem and solved it in this manner? Thanks
Class A

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  • ferndaleflyer's avatar
    ferndaleflyer
    Explorer III
    May 23, 2017
    Mine has been loose for 15 years and the DP never moves without something attached so my guess is it don't matter other than you know it should be tighter.
  • Pirate1's avatar
    Pirate1
    Explorer
    May 23, 2017
    I have a lot of slop in my hitch. Should I consider replacing it or snug it down? Where does one find a new hitch? I examined mine and found no identification on it.
  • stripit's avatar
    stripit
    Explorer
    May 23, 2017
    I too hated the wobble in the hitch when I inserted the reciever. Drilled a 5/8th hole through the top of the hitch close as possible to the collar of the hitch and tapped it so the 5/8th bolt would screw down to the top of the reciever. Tightend down the bolt and no more wobble. Cost to me was nothing as I had the parts and maybe 15 minutes of work.
  • et2's avatar
    et2
    Explorer
    May 23, 2017
    What ever play you have at the hitch can lead to more movement out at the toad. It might be a little at the hitch but could be inches the further out the tow bar goes. Add a drop hitch or riser and it could be a lot.

    We use the Blue Ox immobilizer - it works. We've read many posts of toad towing issues. IMHO sloppy towing setups are part of the problem. I've never had one problem and the toad tracks straight without side to side movement.
  • CVD's avatar
    CVD
    Explorer
    May 23, 2017
    How critical is it to eliminate this looseness? I don’t care about rattle (can’t hear it on a DP with the engine right there). But I am concerned about possible metal fatigue after years of towing with a loose connection. Anyone heard of receiver failure because of a loose fit?
  • IAMICHABOD's avatar
    IAMICHABOD
    Explorer II
    May 23, 2017
    I have tried almost every Anti Rattle device on the market, most have been no good or so complicated and cumbersome that they are useless. Including the Roadmaster type,totally useless.\
    Until I found the one at Hitch Rider. \
    \
    Their Hitch Vice is the best and easiest one I have come across and it really works.
  • ndrorder's avatar
    ndrorder
    Explorer
    May 23, 2017
    My hitch hauler came with this type of anti-wobble hitch pin. The u-shaped thing slides into the hitch. The hitch pin is threaded and pulls the hitch tight to the receiver without distorting either.

    http://ultimatemxhauler.com/product/anti-wobble-locking-pin/

    Cliff
  • What_Next's avatar
    What_Next
    Explorer
    May 23, 2017
    I use these on bike rack and main hitch. https://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Accessories/Roadmaster/RM-061.html
  • Effy's avatar
    Effy
    Explorer II
    May 23, 2017
    There are a few anti-wobble and hitch tightners on the market. I opted to drill and tap for a 3/8 bolt in the top of the receiver and I just snug it up after I hook up. Works fine although a little slop won't hurt anything either.

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