Should there be free-play in a Freedom Trailer Tongue?

[Poasttown]

Should there be up and down free play on the tongue of my Freedom trailer? The square steel tongue slides into a square steel frame channel and is attached with two bolts. When I lift up or push down on the tongue I get some movement. The two bolts are tight. It seems as if the rear tongue bolt hole is larger than the bolt allowing some movement. I suppose this could be by design but not convinced of that.

Poasttown
2019 F3L

[fatboy]

no there should be no movement

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Should there be up and down free play on the tongue of my Freedom trailer? The square steel tongue slides into a square steel frame channel and is attached with two bolts. When I lift up or push down on the tongue I get some movement. The two bolts are tight. It seems as if the rear tongue bolt hole is larger than the bolt allowing some movement. I suppose this could be by design but not convinced of that.

Poasttown
2019 F3L

The coupler can be adjusted to limit this ..... However, I don't think it could ever Eliminate it .... I changed out the Ball and coupler for a "tie-rod" type connection ..... It never makes any sound .... and is a security device to prevent easy theft .... JMHO .... Mike

[Poasttown]

Thanks Blueknight and fatboy for your comments. After closer inspection it appears that the rear bolt hole in both the tongue and frame is a bit oversized allowing for this movement.

Poasttown
2019 F3L

[Flylow]

Thanks for your post, now I know mine is not the only one. I have considered putting a metal shim on top or bottom, keeping the bar at the up or down limit. If you find another solution let us know.

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Thanks Blueknight and fatboy for your comments. After closer inspection it appears that the rear bolt hole in both the tongue and frame is a bit oversized allowing for this movement.

Poasttown
2019 F3L

Perchance is the bolt hole drilled for a US size bolt and the bolt is a slightly smaller metric, or vice versa? If you have to, drill out the hole a bit larger and put in a bolt that is a tight fit.

[Poasttown]

I’m going to check the metric vs US Bolt size idea Idahomtnspyder mentioned. I will take my calipers to the hardware store to check. I don’t suspect this slop is a major problem and didn’t notice any issues on my first road trip with the trailer. However, I’m guessing it would be better if this movement didn’t occur.

Poasttown
2019 F3L

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I’m going to check the metric vs US Bolt size idea Idahomtnspyder mentioned. I will take my calipers to the hardware store to check. I don’t suspect this slop is a major problem and didn’t notice any issues on my first road trip with the trailer. However, I’m guessing it would be better if this movement didn’t occur.

Poasttown
2019 F3L

The way the Spyder hitch bounces up and down you don't want to give the tongue any more reason to move than you have to. What will happen is over the long haul if the hole is larger than the bolt the up and down movement may cause the hole to wear into an oval shape, causing more looseness.

[Poasttown]

The rest of the story.
I purchased a bolt the next size larger in a “US” size. Now the original hole was a bit smaller than my new bolt, but not by much. I reamed out the hole with a drill bit the same size as the new bolt and assembled. This pretty much eliminated the free play. There remains a small amount of movement but much less than before. I suspect the remaining free play may be from the front bolt.

Poasttown
2019 F3L
2022 Freedom trailer

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

The rest of the story.
I purchased a bolt the next size larger in a “US” size. Now the original hole was a bit smaller than my new bolt, but not by much. I reamed out the hole with a drill bit the same size as the new bolt and assembled. This pretty much eliminated the free play. There remains a small amount of movement but much less than before. I suspect the remaining free play may be from the front bolt.

Poasttown
2019 F3L
2022 Freedom trailer

Good deal!

[Poasttown]

Thanks to all for their comments.

Poasttown
2019 F3L