Forum Discussion

Faribo's avatar
Faribo
Explorer
Jul 30, 2013

Holy Creaking and Popping Batman!

So a little background here.....I purchased a TT with a Reese dual cam weight distribution/sway control system with the round bars. The dealer installed everything and all the wheel well measurements came out perfect so I thought "all is good"....well jump ahead 3 months and I noticed now that the WDH spring bars have absolutely no tension on them no matter what link I use. I start to investigate and find out that the dealer never installed the large locking washers to keep the head from tilting!!! I could probably fix this myself (after I chewed out the dealer and made them send me the parts) however since this is my first TT I wanted to make sure it was done correctly so I made an appt at a very reputable dealer here locally and had them fix the problem.

Now to my issue....when the hitch was first installed it didn't have any of the popping and creaking I've heard about but now after it was installed correctly it is creaking and popping like mad. I do not have the spring bars greased in the hitch head (will be doing that tomorrow) but is this much creaking and popping normal? I get quite the looks as I drive around the block. :) My spring bars are level with the trailer and I am using the 5th link on the chains.

Would love your thoughts and let me know if more info is needed to give some advice. :) Thanks!
  • Linedog's avatar
    Linedog
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2013
    I had a lot of noise when I got my hitch. First stop was home to grease the ball and bars. After adjusting the head for the third time, it tows great and makes very little noise.
  • SDcampowneroper's avatar
    SDcampowneroper
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2013
    Try angling your hitch head downward another notch or two. The WD bars hould have 6-8 links of chain when under load which allows more swing movement in turns.
  • Jerallen's avatar
    Jerallen
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2013
    The bar ends can be lubed with vaseline only per Reese. This may quiet it down a little but the noise is the friction of the bars resisting movement- this is the premise behind their design.

    I suspect the head movement was in the initial tow and you never really had any true sway or much WD this would explain the lack of noise.

    I have learned to live with my dual cam noise and yes, it creaks, groans, squeals a little and pops like mad. BUT- does a great job.
  • EldIr's avatar
    EldIr
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2013
    If you ever sit in a campground and listen to people coming and going with their TT's, you'll hear all sorts of creaks, groans and pops. Even when lubed.
  • Faribo's avatar
    Faribo
    Explorer
    Jul 30, 2013
    BurbMan wrote:
    Faribo wrote:
    I do not have the spring bars greased in the hitch head....


    That's your problem in a nutshell....also grease the hitch ball where it goes into the coupler.


    that's what Ii was hoping for!! Just thought I'd ask to see if otherwise it was normal. Thanks.
  • BurbMan's avatar
    BurbMan
    Explorer II
    Jul 30, 2013
    Faribo wrote:
    I do not have the spring bars greased in the hitch head....


    That's your problem in a nutshell....also grease the hitch ball where it goes into the coupler.

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