Towing - Loose hitch in receiver on 4k tow package.

[Ksprelude01]

I've towed a few times now with the Maverick and I'm getting concerned with the looseness of the hitch in the receiver. I've tried 3 different ball hitches in the receiver but each have a little play witch causes honorable banging noises each time you brake or accelerate. It became very pronounced when i tried pulling my Jay feather 23B 3800lb camper for the first time this weekend. I don't know if I should try and find some metal shims to remove the little play in the receiver or that's just how it is. I still have to try the weight distributing hitch still for the camper but I have to readjust the height of the ball on the hitch from when I had it on my old f350. Just want to see if anyone else has this problem.

Sponsored

 

[ThisWas]

I had a little rattle when braking while towing a small sailboat so I added an Anti Rattle Stabilizer.

 

[Ksprelude01]

I had a little rattle when braking while towing a small sailboat so I added an Anti Rattle Stabilizer.

Thats the design I was looking at getting. Its cheap enough to give it a try at least.

 

[matmondro]

Yes, my 4k tow truck does have a little bit of slop in the receiver. It hasn't bothered me too much, but I too can confirm the slop is present.

 

[710-oil-614]

I had a little rattle when braking while towing a small sailboat so I added an Anti Rattle Stabilizer.

Most receivers are going to have some play and that’s an excellent way to get rid of it.

Definitely not a Maverick or Ford specific issue.

 

[NoVaJimmy]

This has been the base with every single receiver I've had on every vehicle including my Lexus with a factory tow package. Normal

 

[Johnny maverick]

I noticed that the unibody telegraphs noise way more than a full framed vehicle. Drove me nuts the first time towing. I put some black tape around the hitch and turned up the radio.

 

[dhaskit]

That is the case on every vehicle that I have owned with a receiver hitch and it is certainly annoying, but benign.
I wrap a line of plumbing repair tape both forward of and behind the cross pin of the hitch and it reduces the clunk. Plumbing repair tape is pretty stretchy and works better than electrical tape.

 

[Gray Goose]

Also, make sure the correct hitch pin size is being used. There are both 1/2" and 5/8" pins. Using a 1/2" when 5/8" is needed will cause the banging described. The pin should be tight fit. There might be little rattle, but never a banging.

 

[Tim d]

O

I've towed a few times now with the Maverick and I'm getting concerned with the looseness of the hitch in the receiver. I've tried 3 different ball hitches in the receiver but each have a little play witch causes honorable banging noises each time you brake or accelerate. It became very pronounced when i tried pulling my Jay feather 23B 3800lb camper for the first time this weekend. I don't know if I should try and find some metal shims to remove the little play in the receiver or that's just how it is. I still have to try the weight distributing hitch still for the camper but I have to readjust the height of the ball on the hitch from when I had it on my old f350. Just want to see if anyone else has this problem.

Its normal.

 

[lm126027]

It's a Ford thing.... Both my 2010 & 2015 Edges, my 2020 Escape and now my 2024 Mav have all had that rattle. You get used to it after a while. hahahaha

 

[nandesho]

I suggest using a weight distribution hitch if you're towing a travel trailer. Improves ride and handling characteristics while removing any slop.
For lighter trailers the anti-rattle clips work great.

 

[olderthanyourdirt]

Thats the design I was looking at getting. Its cheap enough to give it a try at least.

Same one I use, without it even my bicycle rack rattles.

 

[icegradner]

My bike rack and ball hitches all rattle a little, kind of the norm. Like others suggested I use an anti-rattle device and it works well.

Go and check just about any vehicle with a trailer hitched up, a lot of them will have have some play on the ball mount. Some people aren't bothered by it, and others are.

 

[icegradner]

I suggest using a weight distribution hitch if you're towing a travel trailer. Improves ride and handling characteristics while removing any slop.
For lighter trailers the anti-rattle clips work great.

It's not a good idea to use a weight distribution hitch on a unibody vehicle like the Maverick.

https://www.etrailer.com/question-241876.html

Sponsored