My Balls are a chatterin!

[CoreyPerez]

Well here is my problem,



I've got a 18' Car hauler that weighs in at 2700lbs and hauling a 6k GM Blazer. I've since noticed that no matter how much grease I put on the ball this damn thing still chatters, does anybody have any suggestions? Is there anything like the 5th wheelers use (slippery disk thing)



Any suggestions would be great, I've got a 2200mile trek out to Utah next friday!



Thanks,



Corey

 

[DarrellB]

Wore out

Corey, I don't know how old the trailer is but I had a 16' tandam axle trailer given to me when I bought a mower from a guy at work and it has a 2 5/16" ball hitch. When I put the trailer down on the ball I could pick the trailer up about 3/4" with the ball locked. I replaced the the hitch itself and it corected the problem. The thing was just wore out. You might check and see it the hitch has a lot of play in it when hitched to your truck if so this could be the problem. The only other thing I can think of is maybe there is some thing loose in the locking mechanisim.



Hope that helps.

Big D

 

[CoreyPerez]

I guess I should have given a little more information.



The trailer I bought new, so everything is new, the hitch is one with the Bull Dog style hitch.



Other than that, everything seems to be fine...



Thanks,



Corey

 

[chuck3]

Balls chattering.

Well Corey, thats not the only ones that will be chattering when you get here, it was 15 deg. this morning. Welcome to coldville.

 

[pkennedy]

chattering balls

Corey you have 8700lbs on a fairly short trailer and your tongue load may to heavy(drop trailer on scale wheels off tongue on)but cannot see chattering if ball has been greased. Have someone watch trailer suspension in slow turn and Iam betting on suspension binding, if tongue load is to light ball will chatter as suspension loads up and releases, please let us know as light a tongue load will cause trailer swing on highway and will pull tow vehicle out of control. PK

 

[Extreme1]

Amsoil does have a "Synthetic Fifth Wheel and Open Gear Compound" in a spray can.

 

[CoreyPerez]

PKennedy,



You pointed out some very good observations. I'll see about getting it to a scale sometime soon and report what my numbers are. If I can find a triple axle scale, I'll put the trailer wheels on one part, the tongue on another and the ram on the last part, with the trailer disconnected from the truck.



The only other observation I can make is, I when I first bought the trailer and had towed with it, I hadn't greased up the ball. I was only hauling about 5k at the time, but it did tear up the chrome on the ball. I don't know how much that could be contributing to the problem now though.



Thanks guys, and I'll try and get the numbers sometime soon. I'm all alone here and I've got a LOT of stuff to get accomplished!



Corey

 

[Jim Fulmer]

CoreyPerez

changing the subject, hows that transmission doing? Isn't it light years ahead of the stock one. Yep James just did mine 1500 miles ago

Oo.



Jim

 

[Ben Rumson]

Chattering...

I've noted that your trailer is new and that you grease your balls (hum... ?).



The things that come to my mind are:



- Not enough tongue weight.

- Try a new ball and see if it helps. Make sure it's the correct size!

- Double check the bushings where the leaf springs connect to the trailer. If they are loose or worn they will chatter and elongate the bracket mounting holes - gradually getting worse. Whereas your trailer is new, this shouldn't be a problem.

- If your trailer has "slider" leaf springs, make sure the center (assuming it's a tandum axle) grease zirk (between the tires) has been lubed.

- Maybe try using an Equilizer or Stabilizer hitch to strengthen and reinforce the connection at the ball and limit any turbulance. This will considerably alter the forces on the ball thus eliminating most chatter - and significantly improving load control.



I have a 10k rated 18' dual axle car-hauler with a 2 5/16 ball and slider springs. Perhaps very similar to yours. If I'm hauling ATV's I use a regular drop hitch. Our truck pulls and handles loads SO well. If I'm hauling heavy rail road ties or other vehicles, I always use a solid steel Equalizer hitch.



The only times I've had a chatter problem while towing was when I was tugging on an old home-made snowmobile trailer that had been used without bushings and the mounting bracket holes had become elongated. The chatter was complete unbearable - trailer felt like it hitting speed bumps every two feet. The other times have been when we did not have enough tongue weight.



Good luck with your move. If your in the Logan (northern Utah) area and need help, give me a call. 435-563-3396.

 

[CoreyPerez]

Hey guys,



Well here are my numbers, the only one I'm not 100% sure about is the truck's weight, but its close.



Tongue: 740lbs

Truck: 7400lbs

Total: 16,600lbs



Well what do you guys think? I double checked the trailer, and there are no grease points on the axles or spring areas, as far as slider springs??? I don't see anything that slides, but there is a tri-angle thing that the springs mount to (in the middle, the front end of the rear spring, and the rear of the front spring).



I also re-greased the ball, and after about 20 miles, it was binding again.



If anybody is interested in seeing what I'm hauling, here ya go:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=1050&width=1

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[proflow]

How about this

The ball coupler on the trailer itself should be adjustable, I know everyone I own is. Look under the coupler on the trailer tounge & see if there is a nut to take up the slack. Iv'e experienced same in past & fixed this way. P. S. -- Dont tighten too tight , you wont be able to hook & unhook. Hope this helps---Proflow

 

[CoreyPerez]

Well the hitch is a "Bull Dog" hitch, I don't think that they are adjustable, but I'll double check tomorrow. I don't really think that the ball is loose, but I'll try and tell you tomorrow, depending on how everything goes with the movers & my internet options. I'm leaving for Utah in 3 days!



Thanks,



Corey



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[Excessive Force]

CHATTERIN' BALL

By the looks of the photo you may want to try a little more tongue weight. Just my $. 02 good luck Oo.

 

[CoreyPerez]

Just for the record,



In the photo, the trailer and truck are not connected, when connected, they sit quite a bit lower at the hitch.



I guess I"ll run this way for the time being, I don't suspect it will be bad on the highway, plus I'll bring a bunch of grease with me so I can keep em' lubed up!



Thanks guys, and see ya in UTAH!



Corey

 

[Excessive Force]

CHATEERIN' BALLS

Corey, I saw that the trailer was unhooked in the photo. My reply was based on where the blazer was positioned on the trailer. Good luck on your trip, Bert

 

[Extreme1]

More Tongue Weight!!!

10-15% is optimum. With the numbers you gave you are at 4 1/2% Pull the Blazer farther forward or it could be a real handfull at highway speeds.



Good luck with the move!



Eric

 

[CoreyPerez]

Guys,



Ok just a few more things. I'm going to re-locate the blazer a little further forward, but I was worried about the back sagging so badly, but here is the question,



I've now decided I'm going to try for a Weigh Dist. Hitch. My problem is:



I need this in 1 1/2 days. How hard are they to install, and how common are they at trailer places? I'm not that far from Raleigh NC, and will pass a few trailer places (RV) and can check with them. I'm also a little worried about the tires on the ram. I just found out (stupid me, I didn't check before) that they are only class C rated.



As far as WDH's, what do you folks suggest (if I'm given an options) and what should I expect to pay for one?



Thanks for all the help thus far!



Corey

 

[Excessive Force]

*** SAGGIN'

Corey,Sometimes a saggin' *** is better than chatterin' balls. . :-laf

Sorry,i couldn't resist. Seriously,i thinkyou'll be fine as long as you keep an eye on tire inflation. You said the trailer is new so i'll assume the bearings are greased and in good shape. Good luck.

 

[proflow]

What??

Still no check on the adj. ???

 

[pkennedy]

chattering balls

Corey check out a couple of more things, tires are rated on the sidewalls eg. 2600lbs at 60 psi x 2 tires = 5200lbs. Next you probably have a class IV reciever hitch and will have a maximum load tongue rating of about 1200lbs. I agree that you need to move Blazer ahead, your truck may sag but should still be well within your Gross Axle Weight/tire capacity. Bulldog couplers have no adjustment and Amsoil high pressure 5th wheel grease is what we use on kingpins and balls. Moving the Blazer ahead 1 foot will make a big difference in handling and tongue load, try this first as your truck is equipped with progressive springs and are designed to haul more weight as they straighten out. Have a good trip and dont get in a hurry Pat Kennedy.