Loose drawbar.

[bonz_d]

Just changed the drawbar in my receiver hitch and it is loose in the hitch. It's a class 3. The old bar is a Valley hitch and the new one is a Reese. The old one was nice and tight and quiet. This one shifts side to side a bit and in and out when I start and stop. Any remedies?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Loose drawbar.

Buy a different one - thats about it.

 

[etracer68]

Re: Loose drawbar.

Leave it in during a wisconsin winter, it will rust weld itself tight.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Loose drawbar.

That can be annoying,especially with a uni-body. Just drill,tap a couple of set screws. Use jam nuts to keep them tight.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Loose drawbar.

I had a draw bar that was really sloppy and i contact cemented a couple layers of thin stainless steel to it, to take up the slop.

The thin SS was some old trim molding from my buddy's truck, an aftermarket "bling" kit that he bought. When it started falling off, he gave me a couple pieces. I'm not sure where you'd get it, but it worked great.

 

[pfatyol]

Re: Loose drawbar.

I usually wrap my draw bars with electrical tape to prevent them from rusting to the reciever. My current draw bar was just like yours - kind of loose so I used duct tape instead and gave it a couple of wraps. It lasted about a year and a half before I had to replace the duct tape. The Duct tape takes up the space and provide a limited cushion to stop the metal on metal noise. It was cheap and quick.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Loose drawbar.

Put a couple spot welds on it and file them down until the drawbar feels tight.

 

[vndkshn]

Re: Loose drawbar.

Does the hole through the Reese and the hitch align and appear to be the same size? I've got one that requires an insert in it to fit the pin right so it doesn't rattle. Could be the issue you are having.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Loose drawbar.

Thanks everyone! Some really good cheap fix ideas. May just have to take it into work and let one of the guys lay a couple beads on it like bruceb states. I really hate the noise and jerking I'm getting.

The reason I changed drawbars is because I needed a rise instead of a drop but when I turned the Valley drawbar over the holes didn't line up. Could only see half the hole in the drawbar. But it fit nice and tight with no rattles.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Loose drawbar.

Just done mine....took 15 minutes to do it.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Loose drawbar.

Put a couple spot welds on it and file them down until the drawbar feels tight.

^^^^^ This works well and is permanent!

If you want to know why it is loose and out of spec, look at where its made! Dont get me started, just say-in!

 

[bigdee]

Re: Loose drawbar.

Thanks everyone! Some really good cheap fix ideas. May just have to take it into work and let one of the guys lay a couple beads on it like bruceb states. I really hate the noise and jerking I'm getting.

The reason I changed drawbars is because I needed a rise instead of a drop but when I turned the Valley drawbar over the holes didn't line up. Could only see half the hole in the drawbar. But it fit nice and tight with no rattles.

They are made to fit loose so they won't rust in place and become permanent....that is why I chose the set screw method.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Loose drawbar.

They are made to fit loose so they won't rust in place and become permanent....that is why I chose the set screw method.

I had one in my other p/u for the better part of 10 years.

Came on the truck when i got it used and was sug as a glove.

Never came close to rusting in place.

I think the only way that would happen is if you backed into saltwater regularly.

My brand new "Made in china" is loose as He!! and i need to fix it.