Clunking noise while towing

[1911]

I am new to driving a fifth wheel, but not new to towing. I just got a 98 31' sea breeze fifth wheel. I am using a 15k Reese hitch with kwik sliders. Any time I accelerate from a stop, there is a loud and noticeable "clunking" sound that comes from the trailer. I used the search function, but couldn't find anything. Does anyone know what might cause this and if it is a real problem or not.

[Cummins12V98]

Had a RBW hitch then changed to B&W, so much nicer! No more annoying clunking.

Sold the RBW on Craig's List.

[Mike_LeClair]

goin2themountains wrote:
Yep, Reese clunk. However, knowing that nothing is wrong, the sound is intrinsic in the hitch design, I keep towing and ignore it as I have for the last 9 years.

Oh! I like this reply the best! This is EXACTLY what I have been and will continue to do. Sometimes I kind of wonder if the pursuit of the best of the best of the best hasn't gotten just a wee tad out of control in our first world countries. Just saying! (flame proof suit ON!)

Cheers!

Mike

[overthehillbill]

car2900 wrote:
Been there, done that. Had a Reese 15K w/slider, clunk, clunk, clunk. Realized I never used the slider. Got the B&W Patriot that drops right down in the standard rails. No more clunk. Great hitch. Thanks to Craigslist I sold the Reese to someone that will have clunk, clunk, clunk.

X-2, swapped out a Reese 16K select for a B&W Patriot. Clunk and chuck all gone.

[Beaker]

Does it "clunk" as you are applying your brakes to stop and then again when you start moving? That would indicate that there is play some wheres in your hitch.

This is what mine(Reese 16k) did for a number of years and found that the slider lock bar was locked in the manuver postion although the hitch was in the towing position and I never used it, so never checked it. After moving it to tow lock, no more clunk.

I would also check torgue on all bolts on hitch and installation brackets.

[goin2themountai]

Yep, Reese clunk. However, knowing that nothing is wrong, the sound is intrinsic in the hitch design, I keep towing and ignore it as I have for the last 9 years.

[PedroNW]

search, noisy reese 5th wheel hitch, look for response from likes to tow of Huntington WV, he describes what is happening and how to easily fix the problem,

[mguay]

The MorRyde is not for clunking...it is for chucking! A great add-on! I will never go back to a fixed box.

[freestoneangler]

This feeds right into a question I have about whether the Mor-Ryde hitch (offered on some 5vers) makes any difference in addressing this? We'll be buying a 5ver and a hitch for the truck soon...so I'm all ears... would think a constant clunk to be annoying.

[45Ricochet]

car2900 wrote:
Been there, done that. Had a Reese 15K w/slider, clunk, clunk, clunk. Realized I never used the slider. Got the B&W Patriot that drops right down in the standard rails. No more clunk. Great hitch. Thanks to Craigslist I sold the Reese to someone that will have clunk, clunk, clunk.

X2
My old Reese 16k kwik slider did the same thing. The slide rollers would move slightly if you didn't roll into the throttle, or fast breaking. Fixed hitch, no more banging.
Patriot should fit your rails OP.

[1911]

Thanks for all the replies. It's sounds like its pretty common for the Reese. The sound is coming from the hitch, and not the trailer brakes. The hitch was free to me, so I'm not opposed to selling it and going a different route.

For those of you with the b&w patriot, it will just drop on the rails I already have in the truck?

Thanks again

[powderman426]

Who installed the rails? If it wasn't you or even if it was I would check the torque on the bolts. They should be 100 ft lbs. If any are loose check to be sure there are spacers inside the frame rails. That's all I got. Oh and try adjusting your brake controller as like someone said that can cause issues.

[cwit]

I would call it the reese pro series clunk. The select series and up does not have this. Between the slide bar and the pins that hold the head on you will have play. Add a slider and the pro series will really clunk.

[mguay]

car2900 wrote:
Been there, done that. Had a Reese 15K w/slider, clunk, clunk, clunk. Realized I never used the slider. Got the B&W Patriot that drops right down in the standard rails. No more clunk. Great hitch. Thanks to Craigslist I sold the Reese to someone that will have clunk, clunk, clunk.

X2

That noise is called the Reese clunk!
Craigslist it and get a Patriot like we did!!!

[F4whlr]

Had a similar noise/clunk problem with my Reese 15k (no slider) I had play where the "pins" go into the rails. Someone on here posted making shims to correct the problem.well I used Gorilla h/d duct tape and cut out where pins go....problem gone.all I do is replace tape when needed.

[car2900]

Been there, done that. Had a Reese 15K w/slider, clunk, clunk, clunk. Realized I never used the slider. Got the B&W Patriot that drops right down in the standard rails. No more clunk. Great hitch. Thanks to Craigslist I sold the Reese to someone that will have clunk, clunk, clunk.