Reese Elite Hitch

[bhoss1]

I have a new Big Sky and a new Ford 450. This hitch drops right into the four pucks mounted in the bed. Great set up. I have a loud bang when ever I start or stop. I have contacted Reese and the told me that is something with the center section and the tollerance of 1/8 inch max. They sent me a new center section and it does the samething.
Any one out there have this set up and the same problem.??
Reese told me that they heard some people putting shims to take up the 1/8 movement. They also say this in normal. I never had this on any other Reese hitch before.
Reese will not do anything more.
Thanks
D

[DQDick]

I have a different kind of Reese hitch, but you're right mine doesn't do that.

[BB_TX]

I have the same hitch in my new F350 but have not had a chance to try it yet. Will have to go try it now.
I did adjust the T latches (I think they call them) that drop into the bed pockets and rotate to lock the hitch in place. The first time I installed the hitch I noticed I could slightly rock the hitch front to back because there was some play in the latches. I rotated each T a half turn to tighten them and could no longer rock it. I was thinking at the time that could cause some clanking when starting/stopping. May or may not be the cause.

[steves]

Ditto on adjustment. Make sure the springs on the base are leaning toward the truck before placing the head on.

[kab449]

I don't have a bang but I do have movement when stopping and then starting. I adjusted the base as tight as I could and still get the levers to close. I think it is in the pins that hold the top capture plate to the base.

[seahunter]

Could it just be the movement of the MorRyde?

[ExPatNW]

I have a F350 with the Elite hitch and don't have any loud bang noises. Not really had any issues with the hitch. I think I would take it out of your bed and then step through the manual again to make sure everything is adjusted as it should be.

Chris

[Jay Bird]

I have the Elite in my 450 and do not have the noise. As stated before check the T pins for excessive movement.

[Recumbent]

Have the same hitch and have towed maybe 6 or 7K with no noise, works great and looks good.

[seahunter]

Hi Don,

Any update on the clunking?

[kab449]

Seahunter:
You are probably correct on the movement issue being in the Morryde pinbox on my rig cause the hitch is rock solid.

[RonD]

Don, I have one in my Dodge, try this, the 4 levers that lock the hitch down, open and close them, they should have some drag on them when they latch, not overly tight, just a snug fit, it sounds like yours are adjusted loose. Now remove the top plate by removing the two pins under the plate, look at the nuts that hold the pins to the under bed part of the hitch, there are 4 of them, there are French locks, little tabs bent up that keep the nut from turning, bend the tab down, then tighten the 1 1/2" nut, a long screw driver, and a hammer, just tap the nut to tighten, when there as tight as you can get them with the screwdriver, and hammer, bend up one tab on each nut, there are 3 tabs per nut, only required one to hold it, then grease up the hitch when the top plate is off, the more the better, grease everything that has a contact point, re install the top plate and your done, also those levers that lock the pins down should have keyed locks, people steel the hitches, best of luck, I hope this helps.

[RonD]

One more thing, when you tighten the nuts, have them in the locked position, not the open position, you can test the levers for tightness before you bend the tabs if you want, what ever works, just so the levers are snug.

[BB_TX]

Don (bhoss1), I still have not had a chance to tow with my new truck with the Elite hitch. But I was looking at the hitch a little while ago. I noticed that there is about 1/8" play where the cradle for side to side tilt is mounted by the large pin thru the center of that cradle to the base. If I pull back on the top plate and then push it forward, it slides forward that small amount and makes a "clunk" sound. Then if I pull back on it, it slides backward and again makes a "clunk" sound. I am guessing it will do the same when starting and stopping. Will find out as soon as I get to try it.
You might try yours and see if it has the same amount of play as mine.