Newbie Towing observations and questions

A couple of things you might check:

1) Is is your hitch rattling in your receiver?  Mine did, and on our first trip drop me nuts!  I made one of these, but you can by them on that jungle website: Hitch Clamp Anti-Rattle Stabilizer  Or similar devise.  If you're unsure how it works, here's a little video for you: How to eliminate hitch rattle with the Hitch Clamp    I don't leave home without it.

2) I might be the slop of the ball in the coupler.  Unfortunately, I don't think most of the hitch couplers on our trailers are adjustable and can be sloppy and add to the noise.  Here's an example to help explain what I'm talking about: How Do I Adjust My D-L Coupler?  I replaced mine with a modern one that is adjustable.

Also, check to make sure your suspension is in good shape.  Jack it up by the frame so the axle doesn't have any weight on it.  Inspect that your u-bolts are still holding the axle snug to the leaf spring perches, and that you don't have play from worn bushings in your leaf spring eyes and that those bolts are tight as well.

To narrow down where the noise is coming from, have someone stand outside and listen when you stop to see if they can help pinpoint the source.

Hitch height?  Level is good, tongue slightly sagging (inch or two) a little better, just not too much sag.  Taking into account everything is loaded correctly and evenly.

Oh, and on the chain dragging issue, don't shorten them.  I use a bungee cord wrapped around the tongue enough times to allow the hooks to suspend the chain close to the bottom of the tongue.  If you get in a pinch and need the extra length, the bungee cords will stretch and then go back to holding them up when you straighten out again.  An added benefit to doing that also keeps them from smacking that road kill you just straddled.....

As always, just my opinion, didn't say it was a good one...
Whitney

Nobody cam possibly come on here and emphasize just how important towing safety is. I say again, it's impossible to emphasize enough just how important towing safety is. You ask some great questions that some people may take for granted. Here are a few of my thoughts based on what I read into your questions.

I am uneducated about the towing capabilities of the Saturn Vue, and I prefer overkill in the form of the towing vehicle,my 4WD truck does a nice job with my Shasta. You must know the towing capacity, tongue-weight capacity, and the braking capacity before you start out. If you have towed it already, you should have some idea of how it will handle it. Just remember, adding gear, equipment, water, propane, and people can drastically change the load you are trying to haul with a relatively lightweight tow vehicle.
New tires and bearings are always a good idea. Tire load ratings are important with other factors involved as well...trailer-rated tires, proper inflation and check your lug nuts(!!) New bearings may not always be necessary, but lubricating them should be part of your annual maintenance.
My first inclination when you described the loud bang when hitting the brakes was exactly what Dan brought up above. Check to make sure you have the correct ball for the hitch. The Shasta coupler is 2", be sure the ball matches. The 1 7/8 ball leaves enough slop to make for a very disconcerting ride...
I get a noise in my hitch from the pin that holds the receiver in place. If there is any slop in the receiver, it can cause some noises. It has never given me any great concern for safety when towing, but it is another link in your towing system that should be inspected when you are getting ready for a trip.

The Compact has always been a small enough trailer weight-wise that it never required having brakes installed for legal standards in most states. There were none I ever heard of shipped out from the factory with brakes installed. It has been a long time since I have been underneath one, and I can't remember if there is a flange on the axle for brakes. If there is, they could be added fairly simply, I put new brake assemblies on my Shasta for just about $300, but in your case you would also have to add the drums, as they would not likely be present on the axle. If there is not, the axle would have to be changed entirely.
You would also need a brake controller in the vehicle, and it is probably not already wired for one. Switching to the 7-pin wiring would almost be necessary in that case, answering that for you.
In my opinion, adding brakes would increase your safety quite a bit with the lighter towing vehicle.

Replacing the coupler on the tongue should not be necessary if it locks down firmly onto the 2" ball. If it is necessary, you should have it done by a qualified experienced welder to make sure a new one is mounted straight and true.

aslmx,

When we lived in Florida watching people at the boat launching ramps was considered fine entertainment.
Even better was watching owners of 50' powerboats trying to dock at, or leave a marina. Lots of yelling and gesturing...nerves on edge!

15 gallons of water weighs 125 pounds. We carry a couple gallons then fill the tank at our destination. Same if you have an icebox. We pre-cool it with frozen ice packs then freeze our drinks, including milk,, and meat and use them to keep the icebox chilled. Everything else is as cold as possible without freezing. We pick up a block of ice at the last town before we camp. That’s another 16 pounds we don’t have to pull all day. With gasoline looking to be very spendy this summer, the less weight you pull, the less gas you’ll use. Your camper weighs 1438 loaded, but remember your Vue is also “pulling” whatever is in the car as well and add that onto the total.

I really like the 1400 layout, you will get a lot of use from it.