Installing and Using Various Hitch Anti-Rattle Mechanisms

In this video we show how to install and use a hitch anti-rattle mechanism (AKA a hitch clamp) to eliminate the vibration in your 1.25” or 2” hitch. We examine two different types of hitch anti-rattle mechanisms and show when to use and how to install them.
Topics and timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction
2:25 - Anti-Rattle Type 1
5:38 - Anti-Rattle Type 2
You can see all the videos related to the adventure van build at • Adventure Van

[@ChristopherLum]

In case it is helpful, here are all my van videos in a single playlist kzbin.info/aero/PLxdnSsBqCrrF5nO7cmNTc4cct0miFWdO6. Please let me know what you think in the comments. Thanks for watching!

[@rolandw.545]

Hi Chris, are you planning on putting a vent in the roof of the van...say, a Maxxiair, keeping the same headliner? I have a 2019 passenger van like yours. Love your videos, btw. Thanks! New subscriber here.

[@ChristopherLum]

@@rolandw.545 Thanks for the sub! I'm not planning on a roof fan. I find I don't really need it as I don't cook in the van and I've got a bug screen for the summer so we just sleep with the doors open. I hope to catch you at a future van video, thanks for watching!

[@trustme7731]

Thanks for not spending 12 minutes telling us about your childhood and showing your cat videos. I like videos that get to the point.

[@juliuscaesar8801]

And the waste of time with introductions and music. Get right to it dammit.

[@Stanf954]

Adding a lock on hitch pin works very well to stop thieves

[@phillippray9578]

Uh? Flip over the second clamp. I run mine upside down on my truck. Works just fine.

[@nate4036]

My thoughts as well

[@scottrobert2044]

I do the same thing on my truck.

[@malcruzg]

I could not believe this was not highlighted until 4 months ago. Yes, for sure! That's the way of doing it with same clamps (Y)

[@56Spookdog]

Yep.

[@nicklcarey]

Same

[@bnbailey]

Hey Christopher, thanks for another great van video. Several years ago I purchased a bike rack that had a nut welded inside of the hitch shaft, a partially threaded pin and some rubber bushings to eliminate rattle. I thought that was great. I didn't realize that the same concept was available as an after-market device -- I look forward to using one of these! Back in January we purchased a Transit passenger van with the idea that we would turn it into a part-time camper/utility/passenger vehicle, and your videos have been very helpful. Converting a van to a single purpose (like camping) is involved, but relatively straightforward. Making everything modular so that you can use the van for multiple purposes -- now that's a challenge.

[@ChristopherLum]

Hi Bliss, that is great that you've got a Transit. I don't know about you but I find the conversion process both fun and frustrating at the same time. Keep me posted on your conversion and I hope to hear from you again on another video. Thanks for watching!

[@vietdo2590]

Thank you for all your videos

[@LvninLA]

Exactly the information I need.... thanks for a great instructional video.

[@kingofwake]

Another great van video! Thanks Chris!

[@ChristopherLum]

Glad you liked it, thanks for watching!

[@SistahRev]

Thank you! This was hugely helpful!! 💐💐💐

[@orionprog]

Super useful information! Thank you

[@craigrolinger]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I got the anti-rattle hardware with a cargo basket and had no idea what it was or how to use it.

[@RobertjSkelton]

Excellent video!

[@wilbard6708]

Could you have used the second U bolt and plate unit by putting the plate on top and the U bolt underneath? Also it's been 2 years since you made the video, how is everything holding up?

[@michaell1212]

Thank you sir for this info it’s defiantly what I was looking for !

[@jimlong527]

Nice demo…thanks

[@michaell1212]

Thank you sure for this video it was what I was looking for !!!!

[@jberejik]

Well done! Thank you.

[@mclean05tcd]

Thanks! Succinct and helpful. Bon voyage.

[@suzuki14258]

Great video 👍🏼

[@BryanHiatt]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@thecoywolftravels]

Super helpful, thank you!

[@BalajiSankar]

I remember seeing a control systems video from you and clicked.. pleasantly surprised..

[@gotthumbs2235]

Interesting video. I just saw a new anti-rattle clamp that's super easy to install without bolts/wrench. It's called the Hitch Hugger by Dakota Metal Works. Works super easy but may not work with all setups other than pickups.

[@salahazizou]

Thank you very much for your videos I learn a lot from them. Plz can you continue your control system lectures and do some hardware in the loop tutorials

[@hotelroyal334]

Great video thanks!

[@michaelharris4503]

Great video! You should be on TV 😀

[@teaster333]

This is such a good vid that I decided to subscribe.

[@Index-o1234]

Good video very helpfull.

[@BalajiSankar]

I remember seeing a control systems video from you and clicked.. pleasantly surprised. Please do control systems when you can.

[@ChristopherLum]

Hi Balaji, more controls and other technical engineering videos are coming in the near future so please keep your eye out. Thanks for watching!

[@BoogieDownProduction]

I recommend the MaxHaul 2" hitch pin stabilizer instead of the curt one. It has the benefit of having a lock. I would also use a lock pin at the main connect as well to make it harder to steal.

[@sethdawg]

Definitely! surprised he didn’t mention lock at connection point

[@JasonNosajasoNosaj]

4:10 you can flip the "U"piece to face up, rather than down ("n") , allowing it to fit

[@freedom_foz_6337]

Thank you sir

[@cloverhighland]

Could you just put the plate on the top so that the hitch clamp is upside/down for you platform?

[@markentress1286]

Wondering the same. Bolts up easier to see and tighten, works with gravity, makes sense... Anyone try that?

[@tiffanybray5789]

Thank you

[@danielmccaf]

All you had to do with the second hitch stabilizer was to put it on upside down and backwards. That would have gone on cleanly and would have solved your problem exactly as the first one did. My five year old could have figured that out. Playing with Duplo and Lego as a kid has advantages.

[@you2ubesucksbeyond]

I gave you a like at creepy back of the van comment lol. But great vid! Thanks!

[@bqoutdoors2334]

I will be seeing you soon with my 3/4 inch socket and wrench lol 😂 goo d vid brother

[@johngibbons886]

Thanks man - great video, elegant solution to an annoying problem. Hey - have you considered vent for roof? I am contemplating. ! Gets stuffy back there with the kiddos and dog Thanks John

[@509grind]

No walking to back of van. I've been tricked before. Lmfao.... Good video.

[@jasonlemire794]

I have this. It works well.. However I'm thinking about reversing it .. instead of u bolt on top come.up from bottom .. because the way pictured it pulls.up on hitch and any weight coming down on ball.will.be held by threads..

[@marianaalvarado7877]

Hi Chris. I am new to this topic. I just bought a 2” receiver hitch that rattles a lot when I installed a 1 1/2” bike rack that has a 2” adapter in place. What is the name/style of the second anti-rattle device you showed? Thanks.

[@eversurfer]

It sounds almost like you can use it without the 5/8" pin. My thought too was with the second install, was to push the 2x2 tube in to shorten the distance of tubing from the back. Because there is always a risk of the cargo rack being hit with longer vans and parking. Reason I searched was, because my situation the rail pin drill hole leaves about 4 to 5 inches of gap away from the back of the van. Why not reduce that distance? I would assume that "lever" arm pressure of extra length increases pressure. I would prefer to push that 2x2 rail inward into the hitch as far as the hitch would allow, then using the U-bolt and drill a new hole? I did see two holes where you could eliminate that distance, perhaps that allows for more push in. What do you think?

[@bhaveshjoshi33]

make more videos on the design, morphing, and aerodynamics of aircraft.

[@Edpalomares54]

Very informative but I’m interested in your bike carrier does it carry a Schwann meridian trike?

[@barrybebenek8691]

Did you find that the clamp style one loosened at all while travelling any distances? Did it stay solid? Thanks. 🇨🇦

[@rolandw.545]

Hi Chris, can you put the 2nd anti rattle set upside down compared to the first setup? The plate will only be on the top with the lock nuts.

[@ChristopherLum]

Unfortunately I don't think that will work, you run into the same interference issues.

[@tano1747]

It works.

[@trustme7731]

@@ChristopherLum It's not that. See my reply above.

[@alanbrown9325]

Exactly when he said it wouldn't work I just laughed at his lack of critical thinking skills

[@toonedsv]

Can't you just install the second anti-rattle device upside down, putting the steel plate above that pivoting attachment?

[@apocalypticbean]

0:28 caught me off guard

[@robrichman3314]

Love the video, i have a similar issue but on the 1 1/4 inch hitch side. is there a similar for the 1 1/4 inch?

[@williamko4751]

Yes, I have a 1 1/4. The clamp works just as well. I brought mind at Amazon for $9

[@robrichman3314]

@@williamko4751 i ordered but didn't realize that my hitch expander (1.25 to 2" hitch adapter) of the rack had a solid core as opposed to a hollow one, so this didn't work. i ended up being able to use the original one after closer examining.. but glad to know these types exist.

[@ceesteven]

Curious. Can’t the u-bolt be installed from the bottom, plate and nuts on top?

[@scottrobert2044]

Yes it can. I’ve used one on my truck that way for years.

[@trustme7731]

NO, it can't because now you are lifting the hitch in the receiver and the entire hitch weight is now carried by the U bolt. Sooo many people do this and don't see the problem. Oh, I don't care how long anyone has been doing this with no problem. It's still wrong. Even some of the manufacturers of these things don't get it.

[@scottrobert2044]

If you have a hitch like I do that has a lip on it, it’s still pulls the receiver down. Put the U-bolt on the bottom side of the receiver, and put the plate spread between the top of the receiver and the hitch. It’s not a safety issue. It’s simply making it work for your own situation.

[@sillyshrapnel]

why didn't you just flip the second u-bolt upside-down and install the fastening hardware and plate above as opposed to below the bar?

[@MC-hs4mf]

Or use a locking pin

[@scottgregory2059]

you could have just put the Ubolt pointing up, like a U

[@jackor6]

Turn the 2nd clamp upside down, “easy solution” duh!!!

[@marydaly9764]

Late Night. Come Home. Work Sucks. I ! (Yes) ????