noisy hitch

[mountainsam]

Just picked up our new 8281 Rockwood today. We brought it to a local camp ground for a few days experimenting and learning the set up. My big issue is that the hitch seemed pretty noisy on the 100 mile trip home over a few California mountains. After we got it unhitched at the camp ground I looked over the entire hitching system. I has the Revolution Hitch by Reese with a 16k Reese truck setup. Everything looks fine. Trailer pulled great behind my 2005 Dodge Ram diesel. I have thousands of miles pulling bumper pulls but this is the first fifth wheel we have had. Is this common with the fifth wheels? If it is I can live with it, the trailer is awesome.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

mountainsam wrote:
OK fellow RV's. This was the results of my noisy fifth wheel hitch. The manufacturer failed to install bushings on the top plate where it swivels. After reading all your posts I got to further inspect all the bolts and nuts. I found the two nuts for the swivel bolts to be loose. Then I discovered the reason they were loose is because there where no bushings and the whole top plate could be lifted 1/4 to 1/2 an inch. So while driving down the road the top plate was allowing the trailer to slam bang and severely wearing the bolts. Its a good thing I stopped when I did. If one of those bolts broke it would have been good bye me and anyone in the way. Took two minutes at the dealers to have a new head installed. Last night I drove to the camp ground, slept in the trailer and brought it the rest of the way home much, much quieter. Thanks for your input.

Speaks volumes for Reese - and Reese QC...:(..:(..:(

As well as the *know nothing* dealer that sent you on your way!..:S

("know nothing" is being polite - as exact term/s would require mod intervention for this post!)...:W

Can anyone say, Buyer Beware !!...:R

~

[Cummins12V98]

oldbeek wrote:
I had an RBW hitch after 80,000 miles it was worn in several spots that allowed 1/8 inch slop. It clunked at every pull out and stopped. Chock trailer wheels and have someone else move the truck back and forth to see where the clunk comes from.

Had a RBW it was VERY noisy but I "thought" it was great, until a friend convinced me to get a B&W. All I can say is silence is golden!

[scuffer]

mountainsam wrote:
OK fellow RV's. This was townerhe results of my noisy fifth wheel hitch. The manufacturer failed to install bushings on the top plate where it swivels. After reading all your posts I got to further inspect all the bolts andlease nuts. I found the two nuts for the swivel bolts to be loose. Then I discovered the reason they were loose is because there where no bushings and the whole top plate could be lifted 1/4 to 1/2 an inch. So while driving down the road the top plate was allowing the trailer to slam bang and severely wearing the bolts. Its a good thing I stopped when I did. If one of those bolts broke it would have been good bye me and anyone in the way. Took two minutes at the dealers to have a new head installed. Last night I drove to the camp ground, slept in the trailer and brought it the rest of the way home much, much quieter. Thanks for your input.

Thanks for your post. I as well an a new 5r owner. The dealer replaced my pin box and it squeaks like crazy now. I'm not sure what all the nuts and bolts you are speaking of are? Can you give me some more details as to what/where they are please. Thank you, Rito

[oldbeek]

I had an RBW hitch after 80,000 miles it was worn in several spots that allowed 1/8 inch slop. It clunked at every pull out and stopped. Chock trailer wheels and have someone else move the truck back and forth to see where the clunk comes from.

[Sundance07]

Glad you checked it out. And glad it was repaired to your satisfaction.

Happy Camping!

[mountainsam]

OK fellow RV's. This was the results of my noisy fifth wheel hitch. The manufacturer failed to install bushings on the top plate where it swivels. After reading all your posts I got to further inspect all the bolts and nuts. I found the two nuts for the swivel bolts to be loose. Then I discovered the reason they were loose is because there where no bushings and the whole top plate could be lifted 1/4 to 1/2 an inch. So while driving down the road the top plate was allowing the trailer to slam bang and severely wearing the bolts. Its a good thing I stopped when I did. If one of those bolts broke it would have been good bye me and anyone in the way. Took two minutes at the dealers to have a new head installed. Last night I drove to the camp ground, slept in the trailer and brought it the rest of the way home much, much quieter. Thanks for your input.

[DodgeVoltage]

WI Bowhunter wrote:

lee worsdell wrote:
mine makes a loud bang every time we come to a stop or pull away. Its rocks back and fourth abit and metal on metal its load and annoying.

This does not sound good. I would check that the jaws are adjusted correctly on the hitch pin.

Totally normal if it's a Trail Air air ride pin box. The highest end ones have air ride up and down motion and the plate also moves an inch or so fore and aft for additional cushioning. It will rock back and forth when you start or stop. I have one. Make sure it is greased real well. It has many grease points on it.

Also, don't use grease between the plate and your hitch. It will just make a huge mess of everything. Use the lube plates. Then if you have to, spray some dry lube on the jaws or whatever you have to lock it on.

[deleted-2]

That Rockwood is a nice fiver!
Sweet floorplan...

Not sure what the noise is.
Is the trailer hitch clunking, creaking or banging around?

Maybe you could leave it pinned and run the landing gear up and down.
That might pinpoint the problem if you can hear things standing by the hitch.

[JohnBoyToo]

here ya go - use the 'Globe' icon to input a url link:
Here's your link 🙂

[DHCamper]

I have an 8280ws and had a horrific creak and groan from a very stiff pinbox. If that is what you have, use this Spray graphite , it really did the trick and did not collect dirt.

[WI_Bowhunter]

lee worsdell wrote:
mine makes a loud bang every time we come to a stop or pull away. Its rocks back and fourth abit and metal on metal its load and annoying.

This does not sound good. I would check that the jaws are adjusted correctly on the hitch pin.

[kroghville]

Congrats on the new rig. You'll love it. I've seen on some forums that some Reese hitches are a little noisy but I have the B&W Companion which are known to be the quietest ones around. Be sure to check all the mounting bolts, grease the jaws and any other moving parts and have safe travels.

[Alley_Fox]

Congratulations on your new Rockwood! FR makes some very nice 5th wheels. I guess I am spoiled, I have a B&W Companion and I have never heard any noise whatsoever while towing two different 5th wheels many, many rough miles. I keep the jaws lubed, check the mounting hardware torque and replace the Delrin disc periodically, don't know if that makes a difference. Having spent most of my life repairing mechanical things, noise usually means metal is being pounded together and will eventually cause wear and damage.

[lee_worsdell]

mine makes a loud bang every time we come to a stop or pull away. Its rocks back and fourth abit and metal on metal its load and annoying.