Squeaky towing sounds

[jornvango]

While driving home from New Mexico, it seems that the squeaky noises from the towing hook have increased. Especially while driving slowly.

Is there anything I can try to minimize the squeaks?

[Lumatic]

It probably a hitchhiking prairie dog.

Have you tried a little lubrication on the ball, coupler and other parts subject to friction?

Of course the gopher may initially squeek more.

[arcamedies]

I hope that the ball is lubricated on your tow hitch and everything that has a bolt and not is still tight. If it is then I'd be looking for something rubbing that should not be, or a bearing going bad somewhere on one of the trailer wheels.

[MaxTow]

What kind of hitch do you have?

[jornvango]

This is our hitch. I haven't lubricated anything in this area since we bought it two months ago (and used every weekend since then).

I suspect the sound comes from this area and not the wheels.

Can I simply spray lubricant on the ball and inside the coupler?
Both look very dry.

[dkottum]

Does it squeak in turns or straight ahead, or both?

Do you use the friction sway bar attachment?

doug k

[jornvango]

We notice it when driving slowly and more squeaky while turning or driving on a dirt road.

[MaxTow]

You will want to lubricate the ball as well as where the spring bars meet with the hitch. The spring bars need to rotate when you turn the rig. As there a significant amount of force being applied in the area, lubrication is required so that it reduced wear (and squeak).

Do you have an owners manual for the hitch? If not, you can likely get one on line from the manufacturer. Have a look through for maintenance requirements.

[FreshAir]

Originally Posted by jornvango

This is our hitch. I haven't lubricated anything in this area since we bought it two months ago (and used every weekend since then).

Attachment 173681

Axle grease on the ball.....you did do that, huh? NO lubricant on the sway bar. If that's what's squeeking....that's GOGD.

Neil

[MaxTow]

Originally Posted by FreshAir

Axle grease on the ball.....you did do that, huh? NO lubricant on the sway bar. If that's what's squeeking....that's GOGD.

Neil

Check the manual for your hitch. The Equal-i-zer hitch that we had on our SOB suggested lubrication on the spring bars (that were also the sway bars)

[jornvango]

According to the AS manual, we need to apply hitch ball lube or wheel bearing grease on the hitch and leveling bars.

I guess I can find that at Autozone.

[Jwestman]

I have a Reese hitch. It suggests Vaseline on the ball and a couple drops of utility oil where the bars insert into the hitch. There is a small hole above each arm socket to apply the oil.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Squeaks?....how 'bout breakaway switch?

Bob

[arcamedies]

Originally Posted by jornvango

This is our hitch. I haven't lubricated anything in this area since we bought it two months ago (and used every weekend since then).

I suspect the sound comes from this area and not the wheels.

Can I simply spray lubricant on the ball and inside the coupler?
Both look very dry.

Attachment 173681

You should lube the ball and the head where the sway bars go into by the ball so they can pivot. Reese has oil holes on the top so you can drop some in but simply wiping the sway bars works just as well to lube the pivots.
The nuts look ok but be sure they are tight. Don't belive I've seen so much wiring coiled on a trailer tongue, you may want that looked at as well to clean that up.

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by arcamedies

You should lube the ball and the head where the sway bars go into by the ball

Just to avoid confususion, those are not "sway" bars although a lot of people commonly call them that. They are torsion bars or spring bars. A sway bar is a friction bar which is an add on. Reese does though make a dual cam hitch which controls sway without a sway bar.

[arcamedies]

Originally Posted by Lumatic

Just to avoid confususion, those are not "sway" bars although a lot of people commonly call them that. They are torsion bars or spring bars. A sway bar is a friction bar which is an add on. Reese does though make a dual cam hitch which controls sway without a sway bar.

Now I see the shadow below the bar and you're right, torsion bars not anti-sway bars like a dual cam setup.

[Lothlorian]

I am glad mine squeaks. The Airstream pulls so well I sometimes forget it is back there. The squeak reminds me.

Brian

[jornvango]

That's true. Sometimes I do catch myself looking in the mirror to check that the AS is still there!

I went ahead and bought "liquid grease" (for metal on metal application) at WalMart. Sprayed it at the hitch ball, coupler and leveling bar ends yesterday. I'll know if it worked on Friday when we're planning on taking the AS for a camping trip!

[Lothlorian]

I thought about using grease, but I am one of those type of people who gets all over me and everything else.

Brian

[upstatetrout]

Have you replaced a propane tank?If the stainless steel shield is rubbing on a tank it sounds awful just as you describe driving slow on dirt roads.

Tom