Shake, rattle and roll isn’t just an old song – it can describe any drive with a badly set-up hitch! Nothing kills a road trip like an unstable hitch setup. To save yourself the headache of loud unnerving vibrations, jarring noises and potential safety hazards, you need to stabilize your vehicle-trailer connection.
Towing your trailer safely is easy when you know all the options. Choose from a cushion hitch, weight distribution hitch or sway control unit to keep everything steady during the journey – and don’t forget about anti-rattle pins! For any 5th wheel or pintle hitches out there, fear not – additional options exist just for those too!
Tongue Weight and Dimension
Tongue weight and Dimension are the two key components that could determine whether it’s worth investing in any trailer hitch noise reducer or towing stabilizer.
Dimension
Just like a jigsaw puzzle, all components should fit together to form a secure towing connection. If the components don’t fit properly, a bumpy ride is what you can always expect in the journey ahead. Don’t start complaining like a crazy Karen if the equipment start wiggling and rattling. The ball mount shank and the receiver tube must match to ensure maximum towing stability. Also make sure that the diameter of the trailer ball matches trailer coupler to ensure proper towing connection. Mismatched accessories are a recipe for disaster when it comes to hitches.
Tongue weight
The tongue weight is the downward force placed on the hitch ball by a trailer’s tongue. This static pressure must stay within certain limits for safe and efficient towing. Too much of it and you are in for some trouble. On the other hand, if it is too little, you will be unable to control the trailer either. This is the reason why it is important for you to distribute things evenly so that the recommended range for tongue weight is met.
4 Hitch Stabilizer Options
Here are the top 4 most popular Hitch Stabilizer Options
Cushion Hitch
Cushion Hitch, as the name suggests help eliminating that pesky metal-on-metal rattling noise. Basically, Cushion Hitch creates a buffer between the towing vehicles and the trailer. Anything can act like a Cushion hitch; be it a bearing mechanism or a rubber insert. The ideal is to cushion or absorb the metal-on-metal rattles as far as possible.
Installing cushion hitches onto your vehicle is a cinch – they just slide into the receiver tube for a quick and easy installation! Once attached, cushion hitches will make your journey more peaceful and enjoyable. You will get to enjoy a smooth, controlled and quieter journey to your destination. Cushion hitches also helps taking out stress from the towing components and the vehicles and thus helps to maximize towing performance.
Weight Distribution Hitch
Weight distribution hitch, without an iota of doubt, is the most sought-after RV hitch stabilizer option out there. Keeping the excess tongue weight in check, Weight distribution hitch allows you to further adjust the towing connection to get to the sweet spot. Contrary to what most people believe, weight distribution is not exclusive to travel trailers; in fact, it can be used on a variety of trailer types for maximum stability and safety.
Sway control unit
Sits between the trailer tongue and the hit, Sway Control helps keeping the vehicle on track by eliminating the possibility of fishtailing while driving in tumultuous conditions or making a sharp turn. However, we need to clarify one thing here and that is – weight distribution and sway control are two necessary components of trailer towing, although they do not always go hand-in-hand. Beat trailer sway for good! Installing a sway control will ensure your vehicle and trailer stay stable to protect you from any dangerous side-to-side motion.
Anti-wobble Hitch Pin
Hate the rattling noise? Well, we all do. Try an anti-wobble hitch pin or an anti-rattle clamp to do away with the noise while towing. Fits snugly against the shank, anti-rattle clamp will stop the shank from shifting to the side or to-and-fro to eliminate the rattling noise. Used in conjunction with cushion hitches, Anti-wobble Hitch Pin helps to suppress the towing noise to an unprecedented level.
