What is the function of the small bolt generally in the towbar under where the tongue goes? Is it just to stop the tongue rattling when not loaded? surely it cannot be meant to be tightened when a van is connected and the whole load placed on this bolt?
What is the function of the small bolt generally in the towbar under where the tongue goes? Is it just to stop the tongue rattling when not loaded? surely it cannot be meant to be tightened when a van is connected and the whole load placed on this bolt?
To stop rattle/movement of the tongue.....load does not rest on this bolt if tightened lightly while the load is on the tongue.. Not a very good system . Shims cut from an ice cream container seem to work better....at least it cushions the "metal on metal " sound.......
-- Edited by KJB on Monday 8th of May 2023 09:58:58 AM
" ...... load should not rest on this bolt" .... (just in case clarification is needed).
Edit: Ah I see KJB edited his post while I was typing.
It's an anti rattle bolt and should be removed when towing. A snippet from my Ford Ranger manual ....
-- Edited by Are We Lost on Monday 8th of May 2023 10:06:12 AM
My anti-rattle bolt came with an extra nut on the shaft of the bolt that tightens onto the outside of the tongue holder when that bolt is backed well away from the tongue. I can leave the bolt in the hitch but I need to adjust the bolt head and the "locking" nut when I tighten or loosen the anti-rattle bolt. My previous vehicle had a spring washer on the anti-rattle bolt. It worked ok, but it collected more road dirt.
