Clunking Sound when starting and stopping

[JZammetti]

Hi All,

Newbie here, starting my second boating season. My question is I just purchased a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Larado and had an aftermarket hitch installed. I've reused my ball from my previous towing vehicle which was a 2004 Dodge Dakota. My question is this, I hear a clunking sound when starting and stopping and hitting minor bumps, I've new heard these sounds before? Where is a good place to start?
Thanks for any and all help.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Clunking Sound when starting and stopping

We had a 89 Cherokee that has this issue when we switched from a Ford F-150. I believe it was the hitch receiver on the Jeep that didn't fit tight enough into the Uhaul aftermarket Class III/IV hitch. We solved the problem by wrapping the hitch receiver in foam weather stripping. If your sound is coming from the same spot, then it may help you out.

On a side note, our Jeep only had the 4.0L I-6 and it didn't tow our 4K lbs boat very well. Even started overheating while on a triple-digit day going down the highway. Nothing like towing a boat in 100-degree heat with the windows down and the heater blasting.

 

[Edko]

Re: Clunking Sound when starting and stopping

My hitch on the jeep has a tiny amount of play that makes that noise, it's due to the hitch reciever shifting inside your hitch assembly. No big deal.

 

[Biggems]

Re: Clunking Sound when starting and stopping

Do as haulnazz says and wrap the arm in weather stripping. Also check the reciever pin. It may be the wrong size.

 

[cbavier]

Re: Clunking Sound when starting and stopping

Make sure you have the correct size ball 1 7/8 or 2'' or 2 1/2''. Also under the tongue of the trailer is an adjuslment bolt you may have to tighten. Just be careful not to tighten it too much or you won't get the trailer on or off the ball. While your at it. Oil that mechanism under there with silicone. It will make it work much easier and won't collect dirt. Not W-D4 but silicone spray.

 

[JZammetti]

Re: Clunking Sound when starting and stopping

We had a 89 Cherokee that has this issue when we switched from a Ford F-150. I believe it was the hitch receiver on the Jeep that didn't fit tight enough into the Uhaul aftermarket Class III/IV hitch. We solved the problem by wrapping the hitch receiver in foam weather stripping. If your sound is coming from the same spot, then it may help you out.

On a side note, our Jeep only had the 4.0L I-6 and it didn't tow our 4K lbs boat very well. Even started overheating while on a triple-digit day going down the highway. Nothing like towing a boat in 100-degree heat with the windows down and the heater blasting.

Thank you for the help, my hitch receiver moves roughly a 1/16 of an inch. Also you said Jeep had a hard time towing? My Bayliner weighs 2200. I hope it doesn't fail me.....

 

[JZammetti]

Re: Clunking Sound when starting and stopping

Thank you all for your advice nice to see seasoned boaters assisting us soon to be seasoned boaters. I will try the weather stripping tip and the silicone (NOT WD40) tip.

 

[rentprop1]

Re: Clunking Sound when starting and stopping

Do as haulnazz says and wrap the arm in weather stripping. Also check the reciever pin. It may be the wrong size.

I had a 2000 Jeep and the weather stripping was a bit too much, I just used a few wraps of electrical tape and it worked in reducing the rattle

 

[bman1bpm]

Re: Clunking Sound when starting and stopping

I had this problem too. I was using the wrong hitch pin, mine was too small a diameter so it allowed the hitch to wiggle around in the reciever.

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: Clunking Sound when starting and stopping

Before you try every duct tape trick in the book, I suggest you block a trailer wheel in front and in back and have someone drive the tow vehicle forward and backward against the block and through the free play while observing the connection area.

Doing so will help you isolate the problem.

Which might negate something more than some hap-hazard approach to what might be as serious as your hitch assemblies falling off, braking system broken, not working, or way out of adjustment.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Clunking Sound when starting and stopping

Before you try every duct tape trick in the book, I suggest you block a trailer wheel in front and in back and have someone drive the tow vehicle forward and backward through the free play while observing the connection area.

Doing so will help you isolate the problem.

Which might negate something more than some hap-hazard approach to what might be as serious as your hitch assemblies falling off, braking system broken, not working, or way out of adjustment.

The weather stripping or tape method will be solve the 1/16" of play he mentioned. Also, making sure the hitch ball is tight on the receiver and that the coupler is tight on the hitch ball should just about cover it. If he needs to go as far as chocking the trailer and looking for movement, something is definitely wrong.

JZ, since your bayliner weighs almost half of what our boat does, I bet you'll be fine. We really just used the Cherokee for the 6 months that we didn't have a full-size truck.

 

[swordfish25]

Re: Clunking Sound when starting and stopping

If the trailor has brakes,it may be the brake actuator, and or shock in the hitch. Check the fluid too.