RustyGoat

I bought a 12' utility trailer last year and since new every time I hit even the smallest bump I can hear the couple banging around on the ball. I hauled a couple loads of brush with it today and it was driving me nuts. I can tow my boat trailer over the roughest roads and hear nothing. Is there an easy way to remedy this or do I need to just cut the coupler off and weld a better quality one on?

SchuLace

Stupid question but do you have the right size ball?

Bass3006

Enough tongue weight?

stx03

This, along with whether or not the trailer is sitting level (is it nose high?) would be the first two things I would suspect as well.
Mine would bang around all the time too until I got a lower drop hitch.

techrep

iTrader: (1)

no tongue weight and agree with the drop to level it out...it will still bang starting and stopping...

brulaz

Maybe the ball is the wrong size. Also you can try tightening the coupler. Most have a nut underneath that allows you to adjust the fit of the under clamping bar. If you tighten too much, you won't be able to drop the coupler over the ball.

Steve Osborne

^^^^ i was thinking this too, after reading, thought most 12-14 small boat trailers used 1 7/8 ball, maybe the utility trailer is using a 2" coupler...or check the coupler for adjustment nut/bolt and wear..

RustyGoat

Both trailers have a 2" coupler and I have a brand new 2" Reese ball on the truck. The trailer sits very slightly nose high but I had the same problem towing it with my old truck and it sat level. As far as tongue weight the trailer empty weights about 1100 lbs and I can just barely pick up the tongue and move it. There is no way for me to adjust anything to change the tongue weight.

joe mcmillan

I would suspect that your coupler may have been sprung by some incident in the past. Take the ball off of your hitch and place it in the coupler just to see how much slack there is. Compare this to the other trailer.
I would worry about it being too loose and may come off when you hit a bump. If the coupler is bolted on - can be replaced easily.

bubbabud

Look at the underside of the trailer coupler im sure you will find a nut and a spring that adjusts the tension on the clamp that grips the ball.
Are you sure its not a loose fitting drawbar [ball mount] in the receiver?