I've got a Reese Dual Cam unit and it creaks groans and pops when I first hitch up and at low speeds through the campground or backing. It's really the nature of the beast. The only parts to lube are the hitch ball and the spring bar ends that sit next to the ball mount. The cams and chain do not (and must not) get lubed thus giving you the pop and groan that occurs when moving at low speeds.
It is unnerving to someone who is new to towing or those in the neighborhood as you pull out or back into the driveway.
Jack
__________________
Jack Canavera
STL Mo. AIR #56
'04 Classic 30' S.O.
'03 GMC Savana 2500
'08 Vespa GTS 250
That explains it. I am relatively new to towing with equalizer hitches. It is definitely unnerving. I figured I had something connected wrong, or the whole thing was assembled poorly.
But closer inspection confirms what you guys say.
I'll get used to it.
Thaks for the replies..
Uwe
I'm new to this forum, but not to trailering. I have towed the same 76 Argosy 26 with three different tow vehicles. First with an 88 Dodge halfton long bed pick-up, with a standard weight distributing hitch. I added progressive helper springs to the rear springs on the truck, as well as a rear anti-sway bar and 3.90 gears. It towed like a dream, with no sway at all up to 75 MPH. The little 318 eventually wore out from the high revs caused by the 3 speed tranny with the 3.90.
Next I towed it with a six cylinder 89 Jeep Cherokee. I added 4.10 gears, custom ARB front and rear springs, antisway bars, used a weight distributing hitch and a Reese friction sway device. This lash-up was stable, no sway, would tow at 65 MPH on the level, but was totally underbraked. The trailer brakes were absolutely essential to stop this rig. Not confidence inspiring.
Now I tow it with a 4X4 99 Dodge 2500, quad cab, longbed, V-10 with a 3.55 rear. I added AIR-Lift air springs to the rear of the truck to allow me to maintain absolute level even with firewood, etc in the back of the truck, (I have a 600 LB cap on the truck, too) I use a weight CARRYING hitch rated at 1000 lbs hitch/10,000 lbs draw with a Reese a friction sway control just to be safe. This tows like a dream at any sane speed with no sway in wind at all. Using 4 wheel drive in the rain, etc is a great aid to handling and braking, also. My conclusion: tow vehicle relative size and weight make the biggest difference in towing comfort and safety.
My Reese sway bar really groans when first hooked up. It seems to rust just a bit between uses and the noise stops as soon as the rust is polished off.
The weight distribution bars will also "pop" if not kept well lubed. They hang up on turns and then let loose with a jerk.
__________________
John W. Irwin
2005 Classic 28 "Sabre-Dog III"
2004 Silverado 2500HD Duramax/Allison
WBCCI Region 9 Webmaster, #9632
Hi John,
I did some adjustments to the hitch since my last post. I changed the angle of the ball mount downwards, so that there is more chain used with the same tension, and I also went slightly lighter on the pre-load. Now the noise is acceptable, and it only groans in tight turns when going slow, and occasionally when going over speedbumps.
The bars are now a lot closer to parallel with the tongue, whereas before they were angled up towards the rear a little too much, which made the chain very short.
We are towing a Safari 27A with a 113" wheelbase AWD Olds Bravada with the new 275hp/275 ftlb 4.2 inline 6. The Hensley makes this combination work. We only add about 500 lbs of stuff in the trailer, so we are at the weight limit for the Bravada, but we do not lack for power with this big smooth six. This is the easiest towing and most pleasurable rig I have ever driven. Without the Hensley a short wheelbase SUV like this would not be fun on a downhill twister with big rigs in the passing lane. It is nice to reach your destination, drop your rig and drive away in comfortable vehicle that readjusts its ride for just two people.
Quick Links
Linear Mode
