Thread: Trailer noises

Originally Posted by Graeme

Having towed using RRCs, D2s and a D4 with their separate chassis for more than 30 years I was not particularly impressed with the tow coupling and general trailer suspension noises being transmitted directly to the body of the RRV. I hadn't realised how well the separate chassis isolated the body from such noises. The RRV's aftermarket long towbar insert that's not long enough to go all the way through the receiver and was a very loose fit in the receiver was a significant contributor but having now locked the insert firmly in place the trailer's out of adjustment and possibly worn 50mm coupling has been the noise-maker. Perhaps now that its adjusted it wont be so noisy but it was silent on the D4.

Gains and losses...

Thought I was imagining things when I first towed our van that something was really wrong ... so how did you lock the insert firmly in place ? I bought a Hayman Reese solid hitch (3500kg) because the other hitch I had was not solid & was only rated to 2350kg. Like you say a loose fit really & noisy. Never had this issue with the D3.

This use to annoy the living crap out of me when I towed a trailer with either of my RRVs.

On a number of occasions, before a long trip, I folded up an aluminium drink can and jammed it into the top of the receptacle. This shut the noise up for that trip.

Initially I ran a line of weld around the HR solid mount at both the inner end and just forward of where the rear emerges from the receiver. The weld was then ground away to make a tight fit. However it still rattled so a 16mm HT bolt was welded to the front end to protrude enough past the front of the receiver to pass through a thick metal plate (square and sized just larger than the receiver) so that a nut can be fitted to clamp the insert forwards. I use a standard HT nut for short runs as its easy to spin off once loosened but have a HT nyloc nut for longer runs so that it wont spin off if it happens to works loose. This also removes the exposure to wear from the receiver, the mount and the retaining pin. Fortunately the standard nut is readily loosened and removed by crouching as I often use the trailer but don't want the mount fitted normally.

Not particularly related but I was surprised that the HR 3,500 kg rated mount is not marked in any way, not branded and not weight rated.

I've never noticed a noise when towing. I may be deaf from a decade in the Perentie.

There should be a welded nut on one of the corners of the receptacle, angled in at a diagonal. This should be the adjustment bolt to stop such rattles....I think

I've seen such anti-rattle bolts on other vehicles but not on a LR including this one, but I'll have another check.

I welded a couple 16mm nuts on outside of the square tube and use bolts/locknuts to tighten all up; no rattles or clunks any more.

Did you remove the tow-bar frame before welding?