Trailer tounge making more and more noise?

[jackkloepfer]

I've always noticed a little creak noise here and there, but lately, my trailer has been noisier and noisier when I'm towing my boat.

I'm assuming this noise is coming from my trailer tounge, although it's hard to tell from the drivers seat.

The only thing I have noticed, is that there is a little bit of play on the latch of my trailer tounge (the piece that locks the ball into the tounge). Is this normal, or should there be litte-to-no play at all?

Thanks

[skijones]

RE: Trailer tounge making more and more noise?

Are you sure it is not the springs? Mine are rusted and they make quite a racket. I am getting ready to pull them and have plastic inserted btw the leaves to quiet them down.

[jackkloepfer]

actually, that could very well be. any idea on how much separation there should be between the ball and the latch that locks it into place?

[jmo]

It could be that the ball itself is a little rusty, try putting a very thin layer of marine bearing grease on the ball and I bet the noise goes away - I had the same thing happen...

[swooddc]

+1 jmo, that took care of my creaking. there shouldn't be much play at all, when my surge brakes lost a seal and all the fluid the first thing I noticed was excessive movement at the tongue. without the pressure in the brake lines the actuator just slams back and forth with each little change in speed. If you are getting squeaking, I would grease the ball. Clanking or banging check your surge brakes, if you have em.

one more thing, brother in law somehow forgot to switch balls last weekend and towed to the lake with 1-7/8, instead of 2" ball. this made a bunch of racket too.

[SANCasey]

If there is a lack of brake fluid volume or excess air in the brake lines, the brake actuator on the coupler will slam back and forth creating a lot of racket. This is typically very simple to solve by bleeding the trailer brakes and adding fluid throughout the process. You might also check your brake pads to make sure they are not worn out before bleeding the brakes.

[skijones]

I jacked my trailer up and sprayed anti-seaze in between the springs. Made a world of difference. Will see how long it lasts.