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Anti rattle device recommendations

Kimo7

Kimo7

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Harnessing the power of the forum...does anyone have a recommendation for an anti rattle device for the receivers our trucks? I’ve gone through a bunch on Amazon and nothing fits. The receivers on a RAM are different than other trucks in how far they do or don’t stick out, how close they are positioned underneath the bumper and the closeness of the holes to the end of the receiver tube where the safety chains attach. I got a new side by side and while towing its making a lot of noise and moving around too much for my comfort. I tow a 5x10 trailer using a sold hitch shank that’s heavy as can be but it needs a little help. Any ideas on how to firm it up and eliminate the wiggle and rattle?
 
Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately my hitch shank is solid steel and won’t work with the pins that require you to put something inside in the hollow.
 
If your talking about the 2.5" sleeve rattling in the receiver I did the following. I installed the sleeve into the receiver, shimmed it with some sheet metal, drilled a hole from the bottom of the receiver through the sleeve and threaded both, then installed a hard bolt with lock nut w/blue Loctite, that is flush with the inside of the sleeve when tightened. The sleeve sits in there nice and snug and does not rattle. I don't leave any receiver shanks in when trailers aren't used.

Sleeve (1).jpg
 
Kimo7 said:
Harnessing the power of the forum...does anyone have a recommendation for an anti rattle device for the receivers our trucks? I’ve gone through a bunch on Amazon and nothing fits. The receivers on a RAM are different than other trucks in how far they do or don’t stick out, how close they are positioned underneath the bumper and the closeness of the holes to the end of the receiver tube where the safety chains attach. I got a new side by side and while towing its making a lot of noise and moving around too much for my comfort. I tow a 5x10 trailer using a sold hitch shank that’s heavy as can be but it needs a little help. Any ideas on how to firm it up and eliminate the wiggle and rattle?
Click to expand...

Are you using a 2.5" shank?

I just use the adapter on mine with a 2" drop hitch shank and one of the 2" U-bolt/plate type devices.
 
I tried 2 different u bolt plate devices neither have enough room to work for me. I think I’m going to have some shims cut and do something along the lines of Steve49 to make it work.
 
Ditch the adapter, buy a 2.5" hitch then your U bolt anti rattle clamp will work.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6013 using Tapatalk
 
steve49 said:
If your talking about the 2.5" sleeve rattling in the receiver I did the following. I installed the sleeve into the receiver, shimmed it with some sheet metal, drilled a hole from the bottom of the receiver through the sleeve and threaded both, then installed a hard bolt with lock nut w/blue Loctite, that is flush with the inside of the sleeve when tightened. The sleeve sits in there nice and snug and does not rattle. I don't leave any receiver shanks in when trailers aren't used.

View attachment 8769
Click to expand...
How difficult was it to drill through and then tap the threads ? Seems like that’s some pretty hard steel.
 
Kimo7 said:
How difficult was it to drill through and then tap the threads ? Seems like that’s some pretty hard steel.
Click to expand...
Nothing to it, after sliding in the sheet metal shims, used two small "c" clamps to keep the sleeve all the way in tight. Then laid under the truck and drilled and tapped the hole using a lite oil with the tap. I believe it was a 3/8" hard bolt I used with a lock nut and some blue Loctite. I was originally going to spot weld it, but decided against that in case I went to a bigger shank. I also didn't want to have to keep removing or remembering to remove the sleeve after each tow. Truth is I forgot to do so and lost the sleeve that came with the truck and had to order another. :( Anyway no issues and quiet!
 
weld a bead on your receiver shank, then file to fit.
permanent, cheap, and effective.
 
This isn’t directed to the OP, just a note for anyone looking at anti-rattle devices who might read this thread. If you’re using a weight distribution hitch, remember that the back of the shank is being pulled *up* once you load the bars.

If you put one of those clamp devices on the bottom it’ll probably break or stretch the threads. Likewise if you drill and tap the adaptor and then use weight distribution it may snap or stretch the bolt.

More to the point though, if you’re using weight distribution you shouldn’t need an anti-rattle device as there should be plenty of tension on the shank!
 
jsalbre said:
This isn’t directed to the OP, just a note for anyone looking at anti-rattle devices who might read this thread. If you’re using a weight distribution hitch, remember that the back of the shank is being pulled *up* once you load the bars.

If you put one of those clamp devices on the bottom it’ll probably break or stretch the threads. Likewise if you drill and tap the adaptor and then use weight distribution it may snap or stretch the bolt.

More to the point though, if you’re using weight distribution you shouldn’t need an anti-rattle device as there should be plenty of tension on the shank!
Click to expand...
I thought of that and is why the heavy sheet metal shims were used to make the sleeve fit tight.
 
Kimo7 said:
I tried 2 different u bolt plate devices neither have enough room to work for me. I think I’m going to have some shims cut and do something along the lines of Steve49 to make it work.
Click to expand...
I did this on my work truck with just drilling a hole through the back of the hitch through the receiver and bolted it solid with a locknut , the normal pin in the front and bolt in the back like steve did but without a adaptor since i use the 2.5" B&W and it is rattle free. Now of course if you have to remove your hitch it takes a few more minutes and laying on your back but i never remove mine so totally worth it.
 
Steve_Cornell said:
I used HDPE slick strip tape, it's 1\32" thick, I put 2 layers ( I think, maybe 3 on one side) to tighten up my 2 1\2" hitch
It's tight to slide in and out now and no rattle at all
note... I only use 2 1\2" hitches, I don't use the adapter.

Click to expand...
Hope you're still around here. How long will they last if you're pulling a trailer? Seems like they would wear pretty quickly.
 
steve49 said:
If your talking about the 2.5" sleeve rattling in the receiver I did the following. I installed the sleeve into the receiver, shimmed it with some sheet metal, drilled a hole from the bottom of the receiver through the sleeve and threaded both, then installed a hard bolt with lock nut w/blue Loctite, that is flush with the inside of the sleeve when tightened. The sleeve sits in there nice and snug and does not rattle. I don't leave any receiver shanks in when trailers aren't used.

View attachment 8769
Click to expand...
I do similar but no shims and a 3/4” nut welded to the reciever and tighten the 3/4” bolt to remove the slop from any hitch i put in i also drilled a hole in my adapter so the odd time i have a 2” shank it will snug the hitch not just the adapter
 
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