Nope! Completely normal & common issue.

You need one of these - [ame]http://www.amazon.com/StowAway-Carriers-020-6-Hitch-Tightener/dp/B0001CMUV4[/ame]

 

Nope! Completely normal & common issue.



You need one of these - http://www.amazon.com/StowAway-Carriers-020-6-Hitch-Tightener/dp/B0001CMUV4

This is exactly what I bought! Works awesome! Sort of cumbersome to put on but much easier than the pins you can buy that are supposed to tighten up the hitch.

Without the hitch tightener, the trailer hitch just bangs around. Even with a loaded trailer I had the problem.

Oh, and I use a 2" drop hitch for larger trailers and 6" drop for smaller trailers. Honestly, a nice adjustable hitch is what I should have bought, but already had both.

 

Ditto on the hitch tightner. I have a Chevy 2500 cargo van and everything I tow rattles around without the tightner.

On my blazer, after so many years, the hitch started to rust and it was a very tight fit getting anything in there. (That's what SHE said).

I missed the slop once it got all rusty :-(

 

Had the same issue on my Liberty...which is the same now only Cherokee.

Had to get something similar to what LEckley posted there.. now 100% rattle free.

 

So you guys dont have a bolt into the bottom of the receiver? Ours all have this?

 

Really? If you get a chance, can you take a pic of what they did for you guys?

I've gotta get one of the hitch tighteners too, it's annoying...But like what was mentioned, I'd rather be able to do something about the slop rather than have to fight with changing hitches

 

This is how most towbars are on vehicles I have owned. Threaded into the receiver with a lock nut. Some top amd some bottom, have also seen some in the top corner

 

This is how most towbars are on vehicles I have owned. Threaded into the receiver with a lock nut. Some top amd some bottom, have also seen some in the top corner

Huh...that doesn't look like the factory tow option we have in NA...I'll have to check under the hitch later if there a spot for a bolt though

 

Normal.
I find brand names are usually tighter fit but they will still wiggle.
It also depends on the hitch.
I am sure a receiver manufacturer's nightmare would be a receiver that would not fit a hitch that its suppose to. So they just give it a bit of wiggle room.

#1. What I have done is wrap duct tape to tighten the fit enough to eliminate most of the wiggle, but allowing easy attachment. That also tends to quiet the banging.
#2. You might also want to look at the loading of the trailer. If you have even a bit too much weigh to the rear of the center of balance (as I call it) it will put upward pressure on the "ball/coupler" on bumps.
In other words be sure you have enough weight on the front ball/coupler but less than the max weight the Cherokee's rated for.
#3. Make sure you have your trailer level as possible when connected to the Cherokee. If its not that also will affect the center of gravity, especially if its higher in the front. That will put upward pressure when those bumps come along.

With this Cherokee I had to buy a new receiver and ball with more drop in order to get the trailer as close to level as I could. Also when my boat is gassed up with 15-20 gallons it is almost perfectly level (maybe a little below level) and I get virtually no banging because of the extra downward pressure on the ball/coupler.
When I am using my small utility trailer I tend to load the front to the axle if its not a full load. Again that keeps the weight on the ball/coupler.
Its a fine balance.
Good luck............:smile:


If you drop on the ball is

 

No the Australian ones are made locally specifically for our market. I think our regulations are different. We dont have the option for them to come out the middle of the rear bumper on the Trailhawk like you guys.

 

I purchased something similar to this and it does the trick for me. It's quick and simple to install, only thing is the wrench that comes with it is not sufficient enough to really tighten it. I keep a small socket set in my vehicle that I use to tighten it up.
Tony

http://www.amazon.com/Lets-Go-Aero-SHP-2040/dp/B00AC7VJCO/ref=sr_1_38?ie=UTF8&qid=1446067618&sr=8-38&keywords=hitch+pin+lock

 

I purchased something similar to this and it does the trick for me. It's quick and simple to install, only thing is the wrench that comes with it is not sufficient enough to really tighten it. I keep a small socket set in my vehicle that I use to tighten it up.
Tony

http://www.amazon.com/Lets-Go-Aero-SHP-2040/dp/B00AC7VJCO/ref=sr_1_38?ie=UTF8&qid=1446067618&sr=8-38&keywords=hitch+pin+lock

I guess I don't understand how that really works unless there is very little "play" you are trying to remove.

 

I guess I don't understand how that really works unless there is very little "play" you are trying to remove.

There is a bolt that goes inside the hitch that is kept in place by a spring. The locking pin has threads on it, so when you insert the pin through the hitch it also tightens the bolt inside the hitch which snugs the hitch up against the receiver and prevents it from moving. I've used it on two vehicles so far and it works really well.
Tony

 

Any of you have an issue with the receiver being too loose in the hitch? ....

I know this is being persnickety, but isn't it called a draw bar?

View attachment 91610

and the receiver is the opening in the hitch the draw bar goes in?

View attachment 91618

 

...I've always called the hitch the hitch and the thing that goes in there the receiver because it receives the trailer.

Whatever we all know what I was talking about. :wink:

 

@Array ;

From a non native english speaker, thank you. Been scratching my head trying to figure those out. For a while. It's mind boggling for me to see so many different descriptions/words used on a few really well known car parts. Gotta admit, it's confusing in french too.

Receiver (knew that one) > draw bar (new to me, but makes total sense) > hitch ball.

I've seen *receiver bar* for the draw bar, even *ball mount*. Now I have a headache...

 

I've seen most of those names for the draw bar too (or whatever it's called), but the receiver is part of the hitch that receives those, I thought.

 

This is what I use. Works great.

 

I'm currently using Roadmaster quiet hitch on my 2000 mile trip

Roadmaster 061 Quiet Hitch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C5TA2QQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_bCUGwbR8FAKWM

Been working like a charm


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Receiver = the 2 in square hole on the back of the vehicle

Hitch = the bit that slides in with the toe ball on it

Draw Bar = the front of the tailer where it attaches to the hitch

At least that's how it's described down here!