Trailers that make LOTS of noise (when unloaded)

SHINTON

SHINTON

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2005
Location
Triad area of NC
Ok, so I have an 8' home built el cheapo trailer that does this and my brother in laws nice "lawnscaping" type 6x12ish trailer does the same thing. Loaded, pretty decent, no real noise, but man when nothing is back there it drives me insane all clunking, banging, weeping and gnashing of teeth (from inside the cab) etc!?

Whereas I have had other trailers, heavier, father in laws nicer say 7x14 and an enclosed / similar size that are beautiful, quiet, no noise!?

Because I am pulling with the same truck and hitch (3 ball type) I don't think it is my hitch being too loose or the pin banging around. I am guessing maybe it is the clasp that goes over the ball?? Maybe there is cheaper versions that clatter and bang (unloaded) but less so when loaded?

The reason I ask all of this... I have a 10+ hour drive to FL this fall / next spring taking my golf cart down for the winter for mom to use, so going or coming each way I have 10+ hours to look forward to of hearing the dang trailer sound like it is beating itself to death!?

One answer is use the father in laws trailer and I might, but if there is a good answer (higher / better quality mount or something) I would not mind upgrading my own trailer OR even purchasing a nicer one myself that I can use for this kind of stuff.

So...essentially school me on trailers, it could just be a weight thing, bigger / heavier, less chatter when unloaded but could also be a parts thing!?

Please save my future sanity, thx!
 
You can adjust the coupler for a tighter fit as well
 
No tongue weight, slop in the receiver/insert, and slop in the coupler.

I've seen couplers that have some kind of tensioning screw to remove the slop in the hitch. And adjust the coupler. Or throw a couple sand bags on the tongue on the way back.

My aluminum car trailer has slide in ramps and those things rattle around like crazy in their tracks. If anybody has ideas to solve that, let me know.
 
Shake your receiver without the trailer on it and see how much slop you have. Shake the tongue of the trailer up and down while on the ball, If it's loose then you need to tighten the hitch if it's adjustable. Maybe your ball is worn?
Other wise put some weight on it as already mentioned.
 
Do you have ramps or a gate, that is doing much of the rattle? Ones that have slide in ramps, like LBarr, get a Lot of rattle/bang, there! When I re-decked my trailer, I cut some smooth plastic/rubber, I had, into strips, & glued in the bottom & sides, where the ramps lay. I really haven't checked to see if that helped, as I'm usually loaded when towing.
I think the material is roof flashing, or something similar.
 
LBarr2002 said:
No tongue weight, slop in the receiver/insert, and slop in the coupler.

I've seen couplers that have some kind of tensioning screw to remove the slop in the hitch. And adjust the coupler. Or throw a couple sand bags on the tongue on the way back.

My aluminum car trailer has slide in ramps and those things rattle around like crazy in their tracks. If anybody has ideas to solve that, let me know.
Click to expand...

...maybe try to find some rubber or neoprene tape and put it on the racks that hold the ramps. I've got some 3M rubber tape that's only about 1/16 that sticks like glue to anything. It's also tough and has a backer that can be left on the top side when you stick it to something. You could also apply another layer to make it thicker. Then you would not have metal on metal noise.

20190905_212106.jpg
 
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Ramps and gates make a TON of noise. Tongues are noisy if not adjusted.
Boards are noisy if they lack enough screws.

If ramps or gate are noisy, use a simple ratchet strap to help secure. I have a 7x12 trailer with a gate and it’s noisy if I don’t use a ratchet strap to help secure the gate.

My boards were clanging around due to lack of screws. I added more screws and it’s now quiet.
 
for slide in ramps we added horse stall mats inside the ramp "pockets" and it silenced them.
It also made sliding the ramps in harder. Unfortunately given the way we installed them they aint coming out without destroying the trailer.
But our pockets were way oversized Ive seen some trailers where itss tighter where that wouldnt work.
 
I've got a 5' x 10' trailer my Dad bought years ago... made out of what appears to be bed frames (thin/cheapo angle) and expanded metal. :rolleyes:

As already stated, a few ratchet straps (back fold-down ramp) and a little tongue weight does pretty good at quietening it down when empty... still bounces like flubber
 
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