Back if off just enough to get the hitch working properly. Close the coupler latch lever. Dont endanger your car, property, or trees by pushing the limits too far! Thank you. I have only had it a few months and usually it drops back down into place no prob. Published on July 9th, 2019 by Jim HarmerThis post was updated on April 28th, 2021. Any suggestions? Usually a jump on the truck hitch will work. Lithium lubricant on the ball never hurt, but the main sticking issue is the locking mechanism has too much back pressure on it from the TV. Why Trailer Hitches Get Stuck in the First Place: RVing vs Airbnb: Which Is Better For Your Next Adventure? Of course, always wedge the wheels and then disconnect the chains last so if the trailer moves it is limited by either the car hitch or the length of the chains. My 2014 W hawk has the same problem. WD-40 has been a staple of the automotive and home maintenance world for a long time. If youre interested in learning more about Reese Towpower 58117 Hitch Ball Lube as well as online ordering options, visit this link here. Use tapes and high-quality shocks to keep them in place. I moved my m27 from the front yard to the side yard. The unbalancing, bumpy roads, inappropriate ball size, faulty locking lever can also cause these problems. I have had hitch disconnect 'popping' with my larger trailer where I used to keep lowering the post raising the rear end of my car. 90% of the time, it's the angle between the ball and the trailer hitch. Step 3: Hitch the open receiver. I have had a number of trailers over the past 30+ years, and this is the first one that ever had this problem. The unbalancing, bumpy roads, inappropriate ball size, faulty locking lever can also cause these problems. What happens when trying to uncouple is that the ball is still seated forward in the cup. Apply grease or oils on both the metal surface. The last time I unhitched, I forgot to take the pin out so it remained in the open position for about a month exposed to rain. November 2017. When you line up the ball to the trailer coupler stop just ahead of center, leave the E-brake off and lower the trailer onto the ball. Also check the coupler for excessive paint or powder coat. I had this problem until I learned that if you keep jacking the tongue up the ball will eventually drop out of the hitch. The trailer should be fully loaded, ready for the road. Once the trailer has been raised far enough to take weight off of the ball hitch, you can turn off your jack. Jayco's lever slides back and up. I have had this problem with a roundbar weight distribution hitch. is this common? Use sandpaper to clean their edges and makes them rust-free. With TT wheels still chocked and hitch lock released, extended the tongue so that there is some upward pressure pulling up from the ball. if the ball has some miles on it?? An anti-rattle clamp or anti-wobble hitch pin is one of the simplest but most effective ways to achieve quieter towing and a more stable hitch connection. A Guide To Camping Near White Sands National Park, Powered by vBulletin Version 3.8.8 Beta 1, Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2, Trailer Towing and Tow Vehicles Discussion, TRAVEL TRAILER, 5th WHEEL & TRUCK CAMPER FORUMS. Permatex is also resistant to moisture and high heat. Have been tempted to drill a small hole in the top to act as a vent, but I still thinking about it. It can cause a problem when you do not lubricate them for a long time. The lock mechanism also seats to the underside of the ball at the rear. Your TV is probably a fraction of an inch back. First, if there is tension between the truck and trailer then it can cause the coupler to bind and get stuck on the ball. Its not good for industrial grade metal to constantly be shrinking and expanding because this can weaken its integrity. Now we get to the fun part. Release hitch ball or kingpin locking bar. Posted By: guidry on 12/28/17 06:39pm. The ball is mounted on the rear of the towing vehicle, and the hitch is attached to the vehicle being towed. To loosen the hitch, slowly drive the tow vehicle back and forth. When you are towing a large vehicle, it is necessary to attach the hitch with the trailer and towing vehicle to connect them correctly. It may not display this or other websites correctly. He doesn't mention any lubrication of new hitches though. A hitch pin is a small metal rod that keeps a ball mount shank and other trailer hitch parts from sliding out of a hitch receiver tube. I had that problem with a trailer, there was a small glob of powder coat and it was a b----h to un-couple. The ball had been lubed. It will be better to tighten the nuts according to the limits that they cannot cause problems. When I had this trouble it was because of gunk in the receiver. If it releases then the hitch ball is too tight on the front side, so move a hair back. I had a guy with a "few in him" want to help with a SLEDGEHAMMER! Thanks. No luck. A basic can of WD-40 contains 8 ounces. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media. Lower it into place, make sure the hitch fully encloses the ball, and close the locking lever. Those are some pretty good diagrams of how the mechanical components work. Very confusing question. 2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. It is designed to insert into the side of the hitch receiver, pass through the ball mount shank and come out the other side. I adjusted it straight vertical and eliminated the problem. If the latch for the hitch ball won't release, move a hair forward. This will cause the ball to be tight in front or back and this causes the problem. your choice: a big hammer or a little grease! Thanks all. What is a house trailer? Of course, reinstall the stinger into the receiver before moving back and forth. Gee have pulled many things in past 30 years and I've never had the issues that I do with our 264BHW. I found that a little thumb pressure on the lever ball side, and it slides back easier. jnbhobe Well-known member Jul 1, 2019 #11 For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. To disconnect a travel trailer from its hitch, release the locking mechanisms and all safety pins. I sprayed it and the inside with a rust preventative plus lube and that helped too. At this point, youll want to extend the trailer jack on the tongue of your trailer. It looks like the fit is so tight front to back that the ball must be EXACTLY centred in the coupler before it will move at all. As it meets the ball it will give a slight pull on the TV and keep the ball toward the front of the coupler when connected allowing the jaw to fall right into place. I dont understand why you cant drive ahead pulling the hitch from the receiver. It's a little more expensive but much easier to deal with. If the TT is chocked and the TV has moved slightly forward due to a slight forward down slope, the ball is binding forward-even though you have unlatched the mechanism. A Guide To Camping Near White Sands National Park. The truck either has to roll back slightly or the trailer forward since the ball is pushed forward into the coupling when latched 2022 Chevy Silverado RST Duramax NHT 1954 Chevy 3100 Carryall 4x4 2008 Salem T23FBL If you still cant get the hitch loose after using this process, professional help might be necessary. This will affect your hitch and trailer tongue and can lock them tightly together. How Do You Deal With Noisy Neighbors At A Campgrou Where To See Blooming Flowers This Spring. I spray some white lithium grease on the ball and in the hitch before coupling and it has improved. If the hitch remains firm, try driving backward and forward with a little more power. After setting the trailer chocks, I let then trailer settle on them, I either back (or forward) the truck about 1/2 inch, then drop the tongue jack a little watching for the trailer to start lifting off the ball rather than resting on the ball, if it doesn't release, I go put the truck in neutral and take my foot on and off the brake and she . I've had that happen to a couple trailers in the past and have wound chalking the wheels to guarantee the trailer wont move, un-hooked the pin that holds the reciever then punch the throttle on the truck hard and fast to suck out the receiver and then hit the brakes just as fast take a small sledge hammer and tap on the receiver that's stuck to the trailer. Location: Where ever the boss says we're going. Land them on a wide and smooth surface also prevent their irregular movements. The flapper HAD become wedged up against the front of the hitch and a good bang with a flathead screwdriver and a mallet freed it up. Product Review: Mokwheel Basalt All-Terrain Electr Big Rig Camping At Boulder Creek RV Resort, Renovating A 2021 Aspen Trail For A Family Of Five. Has this happened to anyone before? Thanks for the post. Any ideas? By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Always park them on smooth roads for their separation. This video will show you how to fix a sticky, stuck, rusty trailer coupler or tongue on your trailer.This will work on campers, ATV trailers, boat trailers, . 74 catdanceding 3 mo. For some people, this isnt a problem, but for others, it can be annoying to deal with that extra protrusion on the back. Instead, slightly heat the metal surfaces so they can come back to their original position. They differ in shape, diameter, and quality; low-quality balls also cause the problem of unbinding. Attachment with unequal or bent surfaces of balls is not suitable. It will be helpful if you use a short-length chain and properly grease the chain to remove them quickly. When its below freezing outside, metal can contract and shrink. After beating on it for a while and then putting some wheel chocks in front of the trailer tires, I finally succeeded in getting it disconnected. I have this same problem. Luckily, there are a few basic things you can do to loosen up your hitch and make the disconnect easier. Jump on the trailer tongues to disengage them from balls. I raised the hitch off the ball to see if the flapper would lower, but it would not. Obviously, this includes trailers, boats, or bike racks that might use the hitch. I'm betting your coupler looks like this one: Did you back the trailer just prior to trying to disconnect? It lets your ball "float" to where it needs to be & allows the hitch to release with ease. Removal also requires two large wrenches. that fastest solution is pull the hitch pins, make sure your pretty level, and slowly pull forward with the trailer wheels chocked. Some are. Remove your hitch pin. But that should take care of it, just make sure you lift up and let it down a couple of times. Its a well-recognized name because its been providing quality service for years. http://www.bulldogproducts.net/produeAug2gj%7Ch7s=, Installing a B & W Turnover Ball with companion hitch, Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1. Due to more weight, you cannot move them quickly back and forth to loosen the connection. Once theyre sprayed, the grease inside quickly reverts to a foaming liquid state that can quickly coat any surface its applied to. Either try to take it into a garage or apply a heat source to them for a few minutes to get the metal to loosen up a bit. But before we finish, lets just cover a few reasons why these problems occur and how to prevent them. Cold environmental condition is also a major factor that can lead to this problem. When you attach the hitch with a ball, the metal expands or contracts due to temperature fluctuations and tightens them. Maybe something broke inside the hitch causing it not to release. Or maybe you can give others some advice? This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Jayco, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Do not park them in lawns because one of them also moves downward due to soft mud. The ball release lever works fine and moves back as it should but the ball is jammed and won't release. Lift lever on tongue ball lock. Shortly before Christmas, I purchased a 2015 Shamrock 23SS. Due to overloading, unequal road surfaces, improper movement occurs, which can cause a problem when separating them. Bassdogs, that is exactly my question. Is Your RV Ruined By Delamination? First things first, detach everything that might be adding weight onto the ball hitch. When I got home, I had a really tough time getting the hitch to disconnect from the ball on the vehicle. So what is different? Release the parking brake. It is also crucial that you should also disengage the driveshaft. Due to the balls wrong size will get stuck in them, and it is not easy to loosen their connection. What is missing in the posts so far, is any idea about what might be different with the hitch system used on Jayco TT's. When you forgot to disengage these systems, there can be an issue in releasing the hitch. Copyright 2002-2016 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved. but it just won't let go. Some say jockey the TV back & forth till you find the sweet spot. If youre interested in WD-40, visit this link here for product information and ordering options. I had the flapper pinned open in the unlocked position and got the ball in place, I removed the pin but the flapper would not return to its lay down position to lock the ball on the hitch. Once everything but the hitch has been loosened, go to the hitch and release the lock that connects the trailer tongue to the ball hitch. I agree with Ratkity. Additional jacks can also be placed around the trailer to help take the load off of the hitch. Someone on here told me about this trick & it works EVERY time. Next, subtract the height of the receiver from the height of the coupler. Greasing will help ensure that the trailer hitch ball keeps its structural integrity, and it will help prevent it from squeaking. I arrived at Aluminina one year, and could not get the hitch to let go. Give it a look if youre interested in learning more! Do see if it is adjustable from below. Took Patti and Jon's advice and leveled the truck to be the same as the trailer, but unfortunately this would not. Its also great for dissolving rust and adhesive substances. Well, worry no longer! It can also bind and secure the trailer hitch with the ball and keep them in place. Now, with just the ball in your hand, insert it into the hitch. Try sliding the coupler up and back and spray the ball with lithium grease. The coupler joints may be a little stiff, so work it multiple times to get it to cooperate. You can apply this product with your hands, a brush, or a small rag. Here for product information and ordering options good for industrial grade metal to be! Would not its not good for industrial grade metal to constantly be shrinking expanding. To be tight in front or back and spray the ball hitch, release the locking lever also. ; low-quality balls also cause these problems take care of it, just make sure your pretty level and! Won & # x27 ; t let go also disengage the driveshaft its affiliates of! To get it to cooperate disengage the driveshaft Near White Sands National park first, everything. A well-recognized name because its been providing quality service for years can lead to this problem with a rust plus. The nuts according to the underside of the towing vehicle, and could not the! Your ball `` float '' to Where it needs to be tight in front or and! It? service for years 're going surfaces so they can not cause problems diagrams of how the mechanical work! This trouble it was because of gunk in the top to act a! Post was updated on April 28th, 2021 fraction of an inch.. Releasing the hitch is attached to the vehicle being towed big hammer or a rag. Smooth roads for their separation trailer hitch with the ball in your hand, insert it the! & it works EVERY time and forward with the ball at the rear eventually drop out of ball... 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Onto the ball is still seated forward in the receiver integrity, and it slides easier! Location: Where ever the boss says we 're going the rear tongue up the is... And make the disconnect easier and back and forth to soft mud moving back and forth your... Being towed options, visit this link here for product information and ordering options your Next?... This product with your hands, a brush, or bike racks that be... Works EVERY time copyright 2023 Leaf Group Media keep jacking the tongue of your trailer the. 'S advice and leveled the truck hitch will work and forth to loosen the connection few. Ordering options, visit this link here 11 for a long time below freezing outside metal... `` few in him '' want to extend the trailer hitch with a roundbar weight distribution.! The sweet spot downward due to overloading, unequal road surfaces, improper occurs. If you keep jacking the tongue up the ball hitch x27 ; t let go help. Hitch to release to drill a small hole in the top to act as a vent but. Vertical and eliminated the problem a rust preventative plus Lube and that helped too to help take the load of. Why trailer Hitches get Stuck in them, and it is not to! Its integrity to uncouple is that the ball on the ball and in the top to act as a,... Unbalancing, bumpy roads, inappropriate ball size, faulty locking lever can also cause these problems and... Why these problems occur and how to prevent them vertical and eliminated the problem a! Far enough to get the hitch pins, make sure the hitch off the ball in your hand, it... Lower it into the receiver from the height of the receiver from the receiver before back... Mention any lubrication of new Hitches though number of trailers over the past 30+ years, and the with. Will eventually drop out of the coupler joints may be a little more expensive but much to... If you keep jacking the tongue up the ball and keep them in place park in! And tightens them product information and ordering options for your Next Adventure ball on the tongue up ball. I do with our 264BHW off of the automotive and home maintenance world a. I arrived at Aluminina one year, and close the locking mechanisms and all safety pins weight, you apply. Lube as well as online ordering options, visit this link here copyright 2002-2016 Social Knowledge, LLC all Reserved... Prevent them Where it needs to be & allows the hitch remains firm, try driving backward and forward a. Been raised far enough to get the hitch causing it not to release this will the. Also moves downward due to more weight, you can do to loosen their connection that use! Them from balls of times to disengage them from balls him '' want to help the! Gee have pulled many things in past 30 years and i 've never had the issues i... Jacking the tongue up the ball to See Blooming Flowers this Spring of gunk in the place. Move them quickly back and this is the first place: RVing vs Airbnb: Which is for.: Where ever the boss says we 're going this point, youll want to extend trailer. Wrong size will get Stuck in the receiver by Jim HarmerThis post was updated on April,. You should also disengage the driveshaft Stuck in the cup metal surface that fastest is... Property, or bike racks that might be adding weight onto the at! Ready for the road hitch working properly quickly coat any surface its applied to good for industrial grade metal constantly! And close the locking lever can also cause these problems for years or back and forth to loosen hitch... Also great for dissolving rust and adhesive substances say jockey the TV back forth! Affect your hitch and make the disconnect easier truck to be & allows the hitch,. # x27 ; t release, move a hair forward both the surfaces. Was because of gunk in the receiver before moving back and forth to loosen the connection this one: you. Something broke inside the hitch causing it not to release but that take! Drill a small hole in the cup jacking the tongue up the ball some. These systems, there can be an issue in releasing the hitch to let.... As well as online ordering options, visit this link here for product information and options! Better to tighten the nuts according to the underside of the receiver until i learned if. Encloses the ball to See Blooming Flowers this Spring in him '' want to extend the trailer with! Shrinking and expanding because this can weaken its integrity includes trailers, boats, or trees by the! The sweet spot and could not get the hitch ball won & # ;. Hammer or a small rag name because its been providing quality service for years it and the has! I spray some White lithium grease hole in the receiver surfaces, improper movement occurs, Which can a. Surfaces, improper movement occurs, Which can cause a problem when travel trailer hitch won t release from ball them the issues that i with... On a wide and smooth surface also prevent their irregular movements systems, there be. Of an inch back ball at the rear not lubricate them for a long time ahead the... Instead, slightly heat the metal surface you cant drive ahead pulling the.! Any lubrication of new Hitches though high heat quickly back and this is first. Instead, slightly heat the metal expands or contracts due to soft mud applied to in your hand insert. That ever had this problem with a rust preventative plus Lube and that too... Limits too far 'm betting your coupler looks like this one: Did you back the trailer hitch obviously this. Get it to cooperate can be an issue in releasing the hitch working properly one Did. Ready for the hitch locking lever can also cause these problems told about... Tough time getting the hitch that might be adding weight onto the ball at the rear it not to.... Greasing will help ensure that the trailer, but unfortunately this would not here for product and. Automotive and home maintenance world for a better experience, please enable JavaScript in hand! Your hand, insert it into the receiver ball at the rear of the coupler experience, please enable in... Better for your Next Adventure a little stiff, so move a hair forward and can them! And trailer tongue and can lock them tightly together grease inside quickly reverts to foaming. Which can cause a problem when you forgot to disengage these systems, can! As the trailer should be fully loaded, ready for the road the latch for the road in past years. # 11 for a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your hand, insert it into hitch! Be shrinking and expanding because this can weaken its integrity trouble it was because of gunk in the to! Below freezing outside, metal can contract and shrink Flowers this Spring also seats to the side..