First Tow With the RTX

[CrazyStups]

I finally hit the 1000 mile mark and decided it was time to tow my jetski home so I can get her ready for the summer. Towing was a breeze the RL didn't even know it was back there. They only negative thing that I can say is that the OEM hitch and receiver seems a bit sloppy. When going over bumps in the road I would hear a lot of rattle in the receiver. My dad told me that it was probably not enough tongue weight to keep down pressure on the hitch, and I should adjust my jetski on the trailer. I was searching last night and I saw someone posted about the hitch vise to eliminate the rattle. Can anyone give me some insight on this? I personally do not mind the occasional rattle but my wife was having a fit she thought the trailer was going to case me to wreck or fall off the truck. I assured her that it was not but that was not good enough for her LOL. So I figured I would post up my first time towing and see if I could get some ideas to try to eliminate the rattles.

[Beaullieu]

Even with my 4,000lb ski boat behind, mine still rattles. I've also got a SeaDoo and it rattles too. I just ignore it but if you need to quiet it down a a bit, here's a link to an anti-rattle device that others have used and say works well....

Hitch Rider Racks: bike, trike and no wobble tow carry racks

[CrazyStups]

Thanks for the link I will check it out.

[jimmychoi]

I've noticed the rattling as well....I wonder why there's so much movement there???

[VoicesInMyHead]

Originally Posted by CrazyStups

So I figured I would post up my first time towing and see if I could get some ideas to try to eliminate the rattles.

Well, I you can try giving your wife a book to read, or if a short trip, maybe something to eat. A cell phone may not eliminate the rattles, but they will no longer be directed at you.

As for the hitch noise, well, not much experience with that kind of rattle.

**Just kidding dear... OUCH!

[djeaux]

My goodness! You mean trailer hitches are not supposed to rattle? If you're running chains -- which I always thought were part of the whole arrangement -- it is impossible for it not to rattle.

I think the real deal is that, compared to other trucks, the Ridgeline is so quiet that you notice rattles. I recently spend a spare half hour tracing down a rattle, only to find it was some stuff in the trunk...

[oldcoastie]

Mine was real noisy. There is a lot of slop in the receiver/insert connection.

I struck an arc bead across the width of the top side of the insert and ground it down to the point where it fits a little more snugly into the receiver.

Eliminated about 90% of the rattling.

[CrazyStups]

Originally Posted by oldcoastie

Mine was real noisy. There is a lot of slop in the receiver/insert connection.

I struck an arc bead across the width of the top side of the insert and ground it down to the point where it fits a little more snugly into the receiver.

Eliminated about 90% of the rattling.

Thats were I'm hearing all the noise from. Thats a good idea about the arc.

[ridgelinef4i]

This problem is fairly common. I believe they made the hitch slightly bigger to accomidate other manufactures specs, as not all 2" reciers are milled to exactly 2". Easiest solution is to wrap the bar with duct tape.The duct tape limits the metal to metal "clunk" associated with this play.

[5S Dude]

Here are three inexpensive store bought solutions.

Anti Rattle Device For 2" Trailer Hitch Receivers 51943 : Trailer hitch bike rack and trailer hitches - etrailer.com

Cabela's -- Anti-Rattle Hitch Bracket

Trimax Anti-Rattle Keyed Receiver Locking Pin TAR300 for 2" receiver hitches