"ka-chunk" sound starting with trailer from stop

so this is kind of a dumb question, but i always had a bit of a "ka-chunk" sound when starting from stop with my old boat on the trailer. slop/play from the hitch attachment. well now with the heavier boat, it's worse, obviously becuase it's bigger, more weight, etc. what's weird is, it doesn't do it when you stop, only when you take off. regardless, how to i fix this or make it better? should i go shop around for a better hitch one that fits better? or is there something i can do to my current setup? i'm guessing this can't be all that good on the tow package and tranny, but could be wrong. maybe that's just how it is. obviously just want to make sure i'm not causing any long term harm. any advice or guidance is appreciated.

nice x2 by the way.

have you checked the brake fluid in the trailer. i went from a boatmate trailer to a mc trailer and had the same issues. turned out that the fluid was low and also needed to be bled.

That is how surge brakes on a trailer work. Try not to floor it from a start and ease into it.

Edit: I assume you have checked the fluid.

(Message edited by Stanfield on April 25, 2008)

If the trailer hitch is making that sound it's the serge brake on the hitch itself sliding out when you move forward. My trailer does the same thing. When you slow down the trailer pushes on the tongue which applies the brakes hence why you don't hear anything. When you pull forward it pulls back out....ka-chunk.

Also, look into something like this (cushion mount hitch) to absorb some of that banging: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_47815_47815

hmmm i have seen someone remidy this with the use of small strips of sheet metal to take care of the noise .


here is what i saw http://rav4world.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=14099&highlight=hitch+receiver

There's 2 issues.

1- Some peoples hitches rattle around in the receiver which causes nosie.

2- What I said up top about the serge brakes.

what's weird is, my last trailer didn't have breaks and it still would do it from time to time a little bit, just not as much or as loud. maybe i have two things going on now. the play in the hitch and the surge brake actuator. fluid is fine by the way.

but you're rigth, if i ease into it, i can eliminate it. i'll just have to start slower i suppose.

mostly wanted to make sure i wasn't doing harm. taking the boat and trailer in soon to have PM stuff done on the trailer so i'll have him go over it all well.

thanks again for all the replies!

and thanks insuranceman! you too!!! love those new one's...

dumb question. but do you guys use brake regulators installed on your vehicles when you tow a trailer with brakes on it? or does it automatically work when you tap your brakes?

There is a little shock absorber that lives inside your surge brakes, depending on the age of the trailer it might be time for replacement.

Obvious statement of the day: make sure you have the right sized ball on your hitch.

Bruce Mac most trailer hitches (at least all the ones I've used) made a small klunk sound becuase there is a small ammount of play in the recieve. In this case it's your actuator and it's normal.

hey bruce are you still rolling the maxum 180
?

wait wrong bruce mac

a small amount of play is normal, but if you are really hearing a "ka-chunk" sound, then your brakes are likely not working at all. As mentioned above, the first thing to do is to check your fluid. I had brake issues all last season unfortunately, and I'm very familiar with the "ka-chunk" sound. I had a few issues with my brakes (finally all straightened out now), but the first was leaking brake fluid.

The damper on the coupler brake actuator is bad.

Mine did this when fluid was low and had air in system, Filled and bled, noise gone.

My brother had a problem with his Master Craft trailer a few years back. There is a pin that holds the caliper on. Its a small pin that snapped and he had to drag his trailer up the ramp when it snapped and locked up the brake. At the dealer the guy told him it was a problem and to keep an eye on it and gave him extra pins. I dont know for sure what year his boat is but I would guess around 02. Any way just a thought.

TigeMike is correct. Bleed the brakes and you'll be fine. I have seen it countless times at my shop. It's a pretty easy fix.