How Much Noise Does Your RV Make?

[Meanjean73]

When towing the RV in parking lots, campgrounds etc. I notice a lot of noise (pops, clicks, clunks, creeks) from the suspension area. Especially when turning or going over bumps. My rv is tradition leaf springs and fairly new. All bolts have been checked for proper torque.
I think it’s from the suspension area but some could be from the hitch too?
I assume newer RVs with independent suspension are quieter?
I have heard other rvs making noise before so I assume it’s normal. Especially travel trailers with a weight distribution hitch.

Do you notice noise from your RV?
Why do RVs make so much noise?

 

[BryanValRox]

Voted yes, but I would classify our noise as minimal compared to many I have heard at campgrounds.

Not sure how one would totally avoid it given, flexing and stress of the “assembly” going down the road or over speed bumps at campgrounds etc.

I try to keep my wet bolts lubed regularly, check my torque on my suspension fastners several times a season , and I have added the practice of spraying some WD-40( yes I know it isn’t a true lubricant by definition but it seem to help keep things quite) in between our leaf spring plys to cut down on the metal to metal friction as they bounce.
Noises like you describe drive me crazy, so I do my best not to add to them.

On a side note, how did you add the polling feature to your post, I always wondered if this was a feature of this forum?

 

[Meanjean73]

On a side note, how did you add the polling feature to your post, I always wondered if this was a feature of this forum?

At the top of your post there is a tab to add a poll, then down below you can add your questions. First time trying to use so it was a test run for me as well.

I like the lube idea on the leaf springs, maybe a dry lube to keep the dirt away?

 

[BryanValRox]

At the top of your post there is a tab to add a poll, then down below you can add your questions. First time trying to use so it was a test run for me as well.

I like the lube idea on the leaf springs, maybe a dry lube to keep the dirt away?

Certainly not a bad idea to try the dry lube. Personally, I haven’t had issue with dirt collection.

Give it a try and let the family know now you make out here.

 

[Flyer32RLS]

My 2025 RLS only makes noise when backing up and turning. I've lubed all the dry bolts but
one and could not get the grease to go in. I'm going to try again the this weekend. I was looking to see if there was any grease coming out around the dust seals. Could not see any and that is what prompted me to try lubing them all. Surprised at how much grease they took almost an entire tube. Makes me wonder if they lubed them at the factory. Haven't pulled it to see if it helped but going out this weekend so we shall see.

 

[BryanValRox]

My 2025 RLS only makes noise when backing up and turning. I've lubed all the dry bolts but
one and could not get the grease to go in. I'm going to try again the this weekend. I was looking to see if there was any grease coming out around the dust seals. Could not see any and that is what prompted me to try lubing them all. Surprised at how much grease they took almost an entire tube. Makes me wonder if they lubed them at the factory. Haven't pulled it to see if it helped but going out this weekend so we shall see.

If you can’t get it to take grease, be sure the weight is off it. Worst case, you will need to support thing’s properly and remove the bolt and clean out the passages.
I had one on our 310 RL that I needed to remove and clean out the passage. Takes grease fine now.

Concerning to hear that you had to use almost a full tube of grease for your wet bolts, I could understand that much grease for the wheel bearings but on the wet bolts and bushings that is very surprising.

Good luck this weekend!

 

[WE3ZS]

My 2025 RLS only makes noise when backing up and turning. I've lubed all the dry bolts but
one and could not get the grease to go in. I'm going to try again the this weekend. I was looking to see if there was any grease coming out around the dust seals. Could not see any and that is what prompted me to try lubing them all. Surprised at how much grease they took almost an entire tube. Makes me wonder if they lubed them at the factory. Haven't pulled it to see if it helped but going out this weekend so we shall see.

There are no dust seals on the wet bolts…..? If you pumped a full tube of grease into the wet bolts I would think that you made a mess, they don’t take much grease to push out a little bit of fresh stuff.
There are no dust seals on the bearings and spindle, but there is a rear grease seal. And if that’s where you pumped the full tube of grease, you really don’t want to have any grease push out of those seals, the Easy-Lube systems should only be pumped up with the wheel off the ground and spinning and you should stop when grease starts to move past the outer bearing. The factory only greases the bearings (that’s all that actually needs grease). The Easy- Lube system fills the large void between the inner and outer bearings full of grease, that grease will then just live there and go for the ride, it’s of no real value to the bearings.
Our 385FL with independent doesn’t really make any noise.
You could grease the leaves in your spring pack, I have done it by driving a small wedge between the leaves and brushing a thin layer of grease between them. Rolls Royce used to have grease packed leaf springs on the rear with a leather cover over them to keep the mess contained.

 

[M and E]

When towing the RV in parking lots, campgrounds etc. I notice a lot of noise (pops, clicks, clunks, creeks) from the suspension area. Especially when turning or going over bumps. My rv is tradition leaf springs and fairly new. All bolts have been checked for proper torque.
I think it’s from the suspension area but some could be from the hitch too?

I have heard other rvs making noise before so I assume it’s normal. Especially travel trailers with a weight distribution hitch.

Do you notice noise from your RV?
Why do RVs make so much noise?

I could go on and on about this but I won’t. I said it before, I’m a suspension nerd. I actually find suspension insanely interesting and a lot of fun from the project perspective.

Pops and clicks are from your shackles. Typically this is normal. Creaks are from something that is dry, think bushings, and also can be normal but usually indicates a regular maintenance item or upgrade opportunity. Repetitive or persistent noises, meaning regardless of the conditions the noise is observable, almost always is an indication of a required repair or maintenance item. If you have noise with a side to side shifting motion, shackles may be deformed or failing, equalizer is wearing or failing, or spring eyes are deformed. Independent suspension would have a different control set.

 

[Flyer32RLS]

There are no dust seals on the wet bolts…..? If you pumped a full tube of grease into the wet bolts I would think that you made a mess, they don’t take much grease to push out a little bit of fresh stuff.

Well I am not a mechanic, I was just referring to the area around the wet bolt that grease comes out of when you lube it.
If they don't take much grease I sure would like to know where all the grease went. I pushed the grease till I saw come out the back side.
One in particular on the right rear would not take any grease. I tried to insure the little spring loaded valve on the zert fitting was open and still couldn't get any grease out the back side. All the others I did.
I will try again tomorrow when camping.
Happy Glamping!!

 

[BryanValRox]

Well I am not a mechanic, I was just referring to the area around the wet bolt that grease comes out of when you lube it.
If they don't take much grease I sure would like to know where all the grease went. I pushed the grease till I saw come out the back side.
One in particular on the right rear would not take any grease. I tried to insure the little spring loaded valve on the zert fitting was open and still couldn't get any grease out the back side. All the others I did.
I will try again tomorrow when camping.
Happy Glamping!!

The wet bolt exit drillings are likely plugged with bushing material. If getting the weight off of the suspension won’t get the ball over the goal line, you really don’t have much of a choice except to remove it and clean it out.

If your not comfortable or do not have the proper supporting equipment, you might contract someone that is comfortable working with suspensions . Also, be sure that they know to hold the bolt head still and only turn the nut.
Might seem obvious, but I was unaware that the head side of the bolt shank has splines cut into it that engage into the hanger to help prevent the bolt from turning. Oops!

 

[M and E]

The wet bolt exit drillings are likely plugged with bushing material. If getting the weight off of the suspension won’t get the ball over the goal line, you really don’t have much of a choice except to remove it and clean it out.

If your not comfortable or do not have the proper supporting equipment, you might contract someone that is comfortable working with suspensions . Also, be sure that they know to hold the bolt head still and only turn the nut.
Might seem obvious, but I was unaware that the head side of the bolt shank has splines cut into it that engage into the hanger to help prevent the bolt from turning. Oops!

Reading that caused a flood of profanity laced memories of mistakes I made on so many projects!