OEM trailer hitch vibration dampner??

[AH64ID]

Anyone know what it is?



I was reading thru the install instructions on the Reese Titan and it says "If equipped, remove the vibration dampener from OEM unit and install on this unit (as shown in figure 1). ".



I looked at figure 1, and never seen (not surprising) or heard of one. .



Anyone care to enlighten me?



Trailer Hitch Instructions For DrawTite, Reese, Hidden Hitch & More - etrailer.com

 

[seafish]

I am not at all sure what they are talking about. The only vibration dampers that I know of are the "cushioned ball mount recievers" like these here --

Cushioned Shank Ball Mounts | etrailer.com

But that is defintely NOT what you are asking about...

 

[AH64ID]

Yeah, I have never heard of such a thing, and without real pics and probably looking at one I can't fathom how it works.

 

[HOBrian]

I have that on my truck, saw it when I had my bumper redone! I had no idea what it was, thanks!!!



I Thought it was kinda weird, looking at a two inch tube that has rubber gromets isolating it from the frame. I didn't and still don't think it does anything. If it were warmer out I would go get some pics for ya!! You can grab this thing and shake it and move it from side to side with little effort.

 

[AH64ID]

I have that on my truck, saw it when I had my bumper redone! I had no idea what it was, thanks!!!

Any pics? Where does it mount on the OEM setup?

 

[HOBrian]

Any pics? Where does it mount on the OEM setup?

I can see it through the gap in the bumper and tailgate! I think. I am at work and I will try to look after work today!

 

[HOBrian]

I have that on my truck, saw it when I had my bumper redone! I had no idea what it was, thanks!!!



I Thought it was kinda weird, looking at a two inch tube that has rubber gromets isolating it from the frame. I didn't and still don't think it does anything. If it were warmer out I would go get some pics for ya!! You can grab this thing and shake it and move it from side to side with little effort.

Well I was completely wrong!:{ I know I have seen one and I thought for sure it was my truck!! I am trying to think where I saw it! Sorry for that>

 

[AH64ID]

Haha. . thats funny.

 

[HOBrian]

I can't think of the truck that I saw this on... My Dad has a Colorado and I have to check it. I know I saw it and it's driving me nuts. I was shocked to say the least when I looked> I was like: What, wait a minute where did it go, I can't find it!!!#@$%!

I don't think I saw it in a dream!

I have searched threads from this and other sites looking to see if I could find it in a thread, no luck! I looked at companies that do longbed conversions for mega cabs, no dice. This is driving me crazy!! Come heck or high water I will figure this out!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[AH64ID]

Well your certanly more interested in it that I am.

 

[HOBrian]

Well your certanly more interested in it that I am.

I know right... There is no mention of it in the service or parts manual for 2003!!!#@$%!

 

[BHiggins]

They're usually only found on 1500 series trucks (or in Ford's case, the F-150's)... Not really sure how they work or what they do though. As their name implies, I would ASSUME they dampen vibration (although I really can't see how a trailer hitch could vibrate so much that it would need damping).

 

[AH64ID]

They're usually only found on 1500 series trucks (or in Ford's case, the F-150's)... Not really sure how they work or what they do though. As their name implies, I would ASSUME they dampen vibration (although I really can't see how a trailer hitch could vibrate so much that it would need damping).

That was my guess, but like you I have no clue why. .



I didn't find anything in the 05 SM either.

 

[MMeier]

Didn't have that in the instructions when I did mine IIRC. Maybe its a 4th gen thing ? IMO, if your hitch is vibrating, you have other issues to deal with.

 

[AH64ID]

Well I talked with Reese and the guy I talked to said he had never seen a dampner on a Dodge truck, and had no clue why it was on there. . It may be a 4th gen thing, but who knows.

 

[LDigman]

The vibration dampener has nothing to do with towing. It just ends up on the hitch. More weight from the hitch may cause enough vibration to warrant use of it. Manufacturers use it to absorb body vibration. You'll see dampeners on the exhaust alot . It's just a steel piece mounted in rubber and works somewhat like a harmonic balancer on the crank. The Japs use it on their cars alot,American manufacturers have picked up on it. Honda Preludes had the same thing hanging on the front bumper. It was usually found on Dakotas and Quad cabs.

 

[AH64ID]

Thanks for the info. .



Wonder if it would actually make a difference if I installed one on my 05?

 

[steved]

The vibration dampener has nothing to do with towing. It just ends up on the hitch. More weight from the hitch may cause enough vibration to warrant use of it. Manufacturers use it to absorb body vibration. You'll see dampeners on the exhaust alot . It's just a steel piece mounted in rubber and works somewhat like a harmonic balancer on the crank. The Japs use it on their cars alot,American manufacturers have picked up on it. Honda Preludes had the same thing hanging on the front bumper. It was usually found on Dakotas and Quad cabs.

Having not seen one, I assume these are similar to the vibration dampers used in something like a late 60s convertible Camaro??

 

[sag2]

It was for 1500 trucks for a smooth road shake (Beaming) from 2002-2004. I don't think they ever released a TSB because the damper setup was over $1000 per truck. It was a 40 lb damper tuned to 8hz.