So I have a type of WD hitch I've never used before... Without chains.On sharper turns I hear a deep groaning type of sound. I think it's the springbar rubbing the support bracket. The only thing I can compare the sound to is what you'd hear in navy type movie in boats where it sounds like the hull is "bending". LOL. Just a deeper groan.Is this normal?This is what my WD hitch looks like. LinkPicture

It's been years since using a WDH and owning a TT, but I still remember the sounds, when turning/backing short. It is normal, due to the bind, each setup sounding different, but similar. I did, and I'm sure many still disconnect the bars, before backing short.Jerry

Nature of the beast I think. I have the same hitch with the same sounds.

I have a Husky Center-line hitch, and it makes a lot of noise when you first start out, but does get a little better after awhile. A drop of lithe oil on the rub area seems to help, but I guess that nullifies it's main action.Mike

mike-uswest wrote:I have a Husky Center-line hitch, and it makes a lot of noise when you first start out, but does get a little better after awhile. A drop of lithe oil on the rub area seems to help, but I guess that nullifies it's main action.MikeYeah that pretty well kills the swaycontrol

I would lube the ball and the spring bars up front, no lube in back where they rub.Defitatly will take away from the sway control.

Deep metal "groaning sound" from hitch. Is this normal?

kellem
Explorer
Aug 02, 2020
Never met a quiet one.

Been using a Reese DC for many years and it displays more of a popping sounds.....little dry lube on the chains eliminated the pop.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Aug 02, 2020
Kampfirekid wrote:
I’ve had many Equalizer brand hitches over the past 25 years. Never a noise issue. Picked up a new trailer two weeks ago. On the way home I crossed the scales to find they set the hitch up perfectly. However, we pulled it home about 60 miles and it was noisier than expected. I figured it was new. Bars were losing paint on wear surfaces... good. It’ll quiet up. Then went another 60 for our inaugural run the next weekend. The hitch was groaning so loud. I had to take the hitch apart. I found they never lubed the hitch at all. I had no reason to think... I thought... to lube the hitch right away. It’s new! They’ll do it! Riiiiiiiggggghhhhht. In 120 miles, the head was destroyed. Gouges of metal pulled from the wearing surfaces. Metal pulling up like “ feathers” from the friction surfaces. If I could figure out how to attach a picture, I would. It’s nasty.

That's why I would never buy a steel on steel friction device or trust a dealer to do much of anything.
Kampfirekid
Explorer
Aug 02, 2020
I’ve had many Equalizer brand hitches over the past 25 years. Never a noise issue. Picked up a new trailer two weeks ago. On the way home I crossed the scales to find they set the hitch up perfectly. However, we pulled it home about 60 miles and it was noisier than expected. I figured it was new. Bars were losing paint on wear surfaces... good. It’ll quiet up. Then went another 60 for our inaugural run the next weekend. The hitch was groaning so loud. I had to take the hitch apart. I found they never lubed the hitch at all. I had no reason to think... I thought... to lube the hitch right away. It’s new! They’ll do it! Riiiiiiiggggghhhhht. In 120 miles, the head was destroyed. Gouges of metal pulled from the wearing surfaces. Metal pulling up like “ feathers” from the friction surfaces. If I could figure out how to attach a picture, I would. It’s nasty.

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Hannibal
Explorer
Jul 17, 2020
LarryJM wrote:

NO TRUE AT ALL, if it's like the Equal-i-zer system where the friction on the WD bar to frame "L" brackets are secondary to the main sway control which is from the sockets on the hitch head assembly.

Larry

I agree. When I use the Equalizer for longer trips, I put a dab of grease on the L brackets as well as the head and ball. I can’t tell the difference other than it’s quiet.
LarryJM
Explorer II
Jul 17, 2020
Terryallan wrote:
mike-uswest wrote:
I have a Husky Center-line hitch, and it makes a lot of noise when you first start out, but does get a little better after awhile. A drop of lithe oil on the rub area seems to help, but I guess that nullifies it's main action.

Mike

Yeah that pretty well kills the swaycontrol

NO TRUE AT ALL, if it's like the Equal-i-zer system where the friction on the WD bar to frame "L" brackets are secondary to the main sway control which is from the sockets on the hitch head assembly.

Larry
harley4275
Explorer
Jul 17, 2020
The pads are called "bracket jackets" and well worth the 20bucks. Also a dab of grease where the bars move at the head. And on the ball too.
joelc
Explorer III
Jul 17, 2020
No pun intended, but do you have your ball greased and other moving parts with WD-40 or lithium grease on them. When not towing use a cut tennis ball with grease (bearing grease) in it and put it over the ball, this will keep it greased and clean.
DaveRVman
Explorer
Jul 17, 2020
Thanks a bunch guys! Really answered my question. :)
bob213
Explorer
Jul 17, 2020
These work well to reduce noise. I'm told they reduce sway control a bit just like grease.
If you have the new L pin with the clip attached you will need the smaller pad made for that pin.
L bracket pads
joshuajim
Explorer II
Jul 16, 2020
I’ve been using a Equalizer for many years. Early on I had the typical groaning. I studied the installation and discovered that when fully loaded for a trip that the bars were not 100% perpendicular with the L brackets. This resulted in the bars rubbing on a thin edge, not the full flat L bracket surface. I adjusted the L brackets to be 100% perpendicular with a carpenters square when static and the noise mysteriously went away. Now when moving at road speed the trailer will porpoise some and the bars will constantly change contact which is normal.