Trailer Hitch Noise! "kachunking"

[Gitzet]

I just got a new vehicle (Jeep Cherokee) and also got a new trailer hitch sleeve and ball.

I'm towing a dual axle trailer.

Whenever I stop and start, I'm getting this loud 'kachunking' sound that I believe is the play between the hitch and the sleeve. I did not have this problem on my prior vehicle, an F150.

I'm not sure what it is, but I'm suspecting it might be a tounge weight issue. The ball on this vehicle is about an inch higher on the Jeep than it was on the F150.

Is there sommething I can purchse to better secure the sleeve to the hitch, or do I need a different sleeve & ball assembely?

Any thoughts would be grealy appreciated.

Thanks!

[lester lewis]

Your hole in the hitch is probley bigger than the pin you are putting in it. Get hold of it without the trailor on it and pull in and out this will tell you where the slack is. GOOD LUCK

[ChampioNman]

Tounge weight shouldn't have changed. You can get a new receiver that has some more drop to it or try a buddies that has some drop and try it. Make sure the ball it tight and check the brake fluid level in the master. Sounds more like a master cylinder issue.

[rdc5445]

Dont know if tongue weight is the problem, but you definitely have more with the ball one inch higher than before.

[FSH4BAS]

Get a pack of those small thin wood wedges you can get at any hardware store. Tap one in between the receiver and the hitch and break it off. Problem solved very cheaply. Wood comes right out when you pull your reciever hitch out. I did this for years, no clunky clunk.

[Sigma]

I got some big shrink tubing from a hobbie shop and put it on the bar and pounded it in. When I sold the truck I just tied the ball to a tree and removed the pin and drove off to pull it out.

[ccm]

I have same problem on my Jeep, I was told by reputable hitch dealer its the factory hitch from Chrysler

[Skeet195]

http://www.sportinggoodscentra...=1727

this should stop that noise.

I get that sound in my 04 trailblazer but not my truck

[ccm]

On my factory Grand Cherokee hitch its a hair bigger than the receiver. I thought about adding a wrap of duct tape to the sleeve or shim sounds like a good idea. Just wonder if these would hold moisture and cause any rusting issues

[CatFan]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by ccm &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">On my factory Grand Cherokee hitch its a hair bigger than the receiver. I thought about adding a wrap of duct tape to the sleeve or shim sounds like a good idea. Just wonder if these would hold moisture and cause any rusting issues</td></tr></table>

Make shims out of empty aluminum cans.

[billnorman]

I used Zipties in the receiver to take up the slack, but it could be the master cylinder is empty or the brakes are way out of adjustment or failed.


Modified by billnorman at 4:15 PM 1/29/2012

[mpino]

I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee as well and my hitch makes the same klunk noise when I am in a stop and go situation.

it's because Chrysler class 4 hitch reciever is a little bit bigger than the
tube you insert. I have tried other inserts and all have the same results.

I now use small fridge magnets as a wedge and it helps. it's not a big deal, if you leave your hitch in long enough, it will start to rust and will wedge itself. LOL

[kailor]

Go to etrailer.com and get yourself a J-pin.

[JoshKeller]

it clunks on my f250 too, i wrapped electrical tape around it before I put it in the receiver.

[Z518 Comanche]

My 08 Expedition does the same thing. I had an 05 F150 and it did not do it. The hitches must be different

[haveme1]

I have an F150 and the receiver rattles allot. Just not with a load on it. You prolly hear it better in the jeep.

I like the wooden wedge idea ... but I never remember to do it :/

[Gitzet]

Thanks guys for the helpful responses!

[barbarian]

Any chance your trailer has surge brakes? I had one a few years back that made an awful sound stopping and starting. All the brake fluid had leaked out of the trailer so that the brake mechanism would slam back forth when starting and string. Just a thought.

[Mark Perry]

A little electrical tape around the hitch pin works wonders. Just give it a few wraps to build up the diameter.

[csurp]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Gitzet &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I just got a new vehicle (Jeep Cherokee) and also got a new trailer hitch sleeve and ball.

I'm towing a dual axle trailer.

Whenever I stop and start, I'm getting this loud 'kachunking' sound that I believe is the play between the hitch and the sleeve. I did not have this problem on my prior vehicle, an F150.

I'm not sure what it is, but I'm suspecting it might be a tounge weight issue. The ball on this vehicle is about an inch higher on the Jeep than it was on the F150.

Is there sommething I can purchse to better secure the sleeve to the hitch, or do I need a different sleeve & ball assembely?

Any thoughts would be grealy appreciated.

Thanks!

</td></tr></table>

Mine goes kungpao