New hitch is loose in receiver

I bought a hitch for my truck and it has play in it both left to right and up and down. Is that an issue or is that normal?

 

Normal. At least all of mine are a bit loose.

 

Normal. Annoying but normal. I cut Bike tire (the 18 speed skinny tire type) down the middle of the threads and then in two inch strips and stuck in around the spaces

 

Snug it up with duck tape... problem solved.

 

^^^^^THIS!!

 

i bought one of these and its a very simple device that works great. Highly recommend.

Loopilops Screen Protector Cable Data Nylon USB 03

https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-St...8&qid=1487794606&sr=8-2&keywords=hitch+wobble

 

Exact same thing I did with a cargo carrier.

 

That is what I do. I'll also coat the hitch and pin with a thick grease to help prevent things from rusting together.

 

I can't hear it from where I'm sitting in the truck.

 

Yup, we've been towing for 45+ years and have never found it a problem...

 

Better that have into hammer it in because of the rust.

 

No play would mean it would seize in and have a hell of a time ever getting it out.

I like the duct tape idea.

 

I tapped a wood shim into both sides and broke it off. Holds up well and still makes the hitch easy to take out.

 

It's a non issue looking for a problem that does not exist. Any thing you stick on or in the hitch will soon ware out.

 

It doesn't hurt anything, but the clanking can be annoying. I drilled and tapped a hole in the top of my hitch for a 3/8 bolt with a lock nut. Slide in the hitch, tighten the bolt, tighten the locknut,...no rattling. You can also use it as a snugger, and just set it so the hitch barely slips in. That alone takes out most of the clanking.

 

agreed its not that big of an issue, but can get annoying if you have a bouncy trailer. I've had a piece of reinforced neoprene gasket on my hitch for seven years, still hasn't worn out.

 

Pretty normal, but it the weight of the trailer seems to keep it quiet.

I had one rust itself into the receiver on my last truck and spent two hours with PB Blaster and an 8lb sledge getting it out. I've since learned to ALWAYS take it out when not in use.

 

i spray the occasional fluid film in there. Sidenote: fluid film has become my new best friend in the snowblower chute

 

You buy something like this for $29.99 or get a muffler clamp from an auto parts store for a $1.99 - lighter trailers do travel better with less wiggle, larger/heavier one not much improvement.

 

A few wraps of electrical tape will fix it cheap.