Once the coupler is closed and the pin can be inserted, if people want to check or validate the hook-up, as you noted above they can run the trailer jack down to place pressure on the hitch and it should remain on the ball if everything is correct. You don't want it to be to loose. Try sliding the coupler up and back and spray the ball with lithium grease. I tried moving forward/backward and that didn't work either. 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. It is next to impossible to do by hand. _____ http://www.bulldogproducts.net/produeAug2gj%7Ch7s=, Installing a B & W Turnover Ball with companion hitch, Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1. 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. Obviously, this includes trailers, boats, or bike racks that might use the hitch. Then use this. In this condition, you need jacks to fix this problem. Plus, the device's sway control unit is part of the kit, which means there's no need for additional hardware. I went out and looked at how my trailers worked and the wedge moves forward and a little down. Is it a receiver hitch? Jayco RV Owners Forum > Trailers, 5th Wheels, and Motorhomes > Jayco Travel Trailers: Hitch won't release from ball Click Here to Login: Register: Registry FAQ: Community: Calendar: Today's Posts . Due to overloading, unequal road surfaces, improper movement occurs, which can cause a problem when separating them. The lock mechanism also seats to the underside of the ball at the rear. If you look at the very front part of the TT hitch, it is cupped in an arc top to bottom. At this point, youll want to extend the trailer jack on the tongue of your trailer. Make sure it's 100% clean inside the coupler, use brake parts cleaner. Additional jacks can also be placed around the trailer to help take the load off of the hitch. Disengage vehicle parking brake. Lots of good suggestions that I will be trying. Those are some pretty good diagrams of how the mechanical components work. I have this same problem. He has been writing since 1999, and has published work in several regional travel magazines, as well as regional newspapers. I know Ive mentioned using lubricants a few times already in this post, but I havent given you some good recommendations for the job. Best of all it's totally FREE! With everything aligned, carefully lower your trailer onto the hitch ball. I was thinking lock adjustment too tight also. Try this next time you hook up. What is a hitch ball wrench? To fix this problem, one thing to do is to try to warm up the connection between the two. This is usually caused when the trailer is at a different level (angle) from the tow vehicle. However, greasing it is recommended. Uncouple the trailer and insert a spare ball into the coupler (a). Step 1. Not on the kind I posted. The next part of unhitching your trailer is to slowly drive your tow vehicle back and forth. Close the coupler latch lever. Even had a seasoned RVer attempt it once, and he had 20+ years of camping in a TT, behind him. Plan Your Spring Adventure: National Parks You Won Upgrade Your RV: Incorporating Residential Items I RV Camping Made Easy: How To Find Open Campsite Da Visit Goose Creek RV & Camping Resort In N RV Odor Control: What Absorbs Bad Smells? Its also easy to purchase bulk packs of WD-40 that contain up to 12 cans. Just let the whole hitch slide out. if the ball has some miles on it?? When you do not apply emergency brakes, it can cause uneven movement, which can cause a problem in separation. Its set up too tight and the moveable jaw can't close around the ball. Overall this is a great lubricant that can be used for a variety of automotive and home maintenance jobs. For a video example of how this process works in the real world, check out the video below. For more information, please see our When towing a large trailer or a vehicle, the most common setup is a trailer hitch and ball. This video should help you out and explains what is happening when you have problems getting the hitch off the ball. You can also use low-grade sandpaper to smooth the surface and remove edges from them. If your car has the option for 4-wheel drive, use this. Release hitch ball or kingpin locking bar. It'll surely pop off with all tension relieved. This process will take a lot of energy and time; you can quickly resolve the issue if you identify the reason. This gave me trouble as I was trying to just flip it up. When the ball is tipped (trying to get under the coupler) it won't go in or catches on the lock. jnbhobe Well-known member Jul 1, 2019 #11 Safety chains are used to attach the trailer hitch with towing vehicle properly. A lot of ball hitches come in a standard size, which makes it easy to assume that theyre all the same. Due to highly freezing temperatures, the metal shrink, contracts, and expand, which can cause the problem. Park your tow vehicle and find a decent length of strong metal chain. If TV and trailer are on even a slight slope, the locking mechanism will stick. Before I got my trailer from storage, I put some lithium grease on the ball hoping to avoid the problem. Pops off every time with little to no effort. Give it a look if youre interested in learning more! In most cases, this method should do the trick! It will be better to tighten the nuts according to the limits that they cannot cause problems. You should see a nut or bolt through the latch. Find a socket to fit and loosen that up one round then sit it back down on ball. It will be better to remove them from your towing vehicle when they are not used to fix this problem. Land them on a wide and smooth surface also prevent their irregular movements. Location: Southern IL - across Mississippi from St. Louis. Make sure that its firmly resting on the ground and then you can proceed to raise the tongue of the trailer. 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. May take a couple of times to get it right. Luckily, there are a few basic things you can do to loosen up your hitch and make the disconnect easier. 90% of the time, it's the angle between the ball and the trailer hitch. On my boat trailer it had to be done straight. I can highly recommend any of them! Good to know the workings of the hitch. Like clubhouse, I make sure the ball is in the front part of the coupler and have never had an issue. Plus the grease is still there so I don't have any squeak. 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. If you don't do this, the hitch will bind on the ball, and it may be difficult or impossible to disengage the hitch. Youre not going to be able to budge it if these are still in place! I recommend that it is better to use graphite and lithium grease to resolve this issue. It seems to jam in there. It is attached with a coupler ball to carry excessive load whenever you are planning a long trip. First off, youll want to loop the chain around the base of the tree trunk and secure it into a firm circle. Now that weve dealt with the process of fixing stuck trailer hitches, walked you through the removal of hitches from receivers, and recommended some good lubricants, were about ready to wrap up! I adjusted it straight vertical and eliminated the problem. That was easy. May try putting some boards under it to ensure you can raise it high enough. It can be one thing or a combination of them. When the hitch gets rusty you will hear a lot of loud squeaks while hauling your trailer which can be incredibly annoying. Someone on here told me about this trick & it works EVERY time. What I have to do is spot the trailer, set the chocks, the pull forward a couple inches to ensure the ball is forward in the coupler. Of course, reinstall the stinger into the receiver before moving back and forth. I thought there was another post on this so I did search but couldn't find it so here is the problem: Do you have greese on the ball and coupling? Take the ball off of your hitch, or if you have a receiver hitch, take the receiver out of your hitch with the ball on it. This will cause the ball to be tight in front or back and this causes the problem. They run from the beneath of the tongue and are attached with pins. Hi, my name is Robert and I am a truck driver. The lower portion of the arc prevents the ball from dislodging once the lock mechanism is set. Thanks for the post. This method should work in the majority of cases! Always make sure to match the measurements of your hitch to your receiver. It also helps to pull forward a hair after backing up. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO2SMj_zJ4Y, This post was updated on April 28th, 2021, WD-40 490026 Multi-Use Product with Smart Straw. This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Use sandpaper to clean their edges and makes them rust-free. Solved my issue. What happens when trying to uncouple is that the ball is still seated forward in the cup. Chocking is also necessary during this process so you can safely release them. I had a bit of a time finding the problem.now that I know its no longer a problem. EAZ LIFT 48069 Elite Kit. Deal with that thing once you're warm with camp set up and a beer in hand. Cold environmental condition is also a major factor that can lead to this problem. Can't say where you can get it. Drop hitch onto ball (with trailer well-chocked), get into truck and put it in neutral (if level or downhill) or drive (slight uphill), let it creep forwards just enough to get things back into place (like half an inch), put it back in park with the parking brake on, try the hitch again. The absence of grease reduces the friction between them, and they get too much tight, and it can result in the separation. As such, I found a great tool to have a hassle-free journey for my pickup and camper with EAZ Lift 48069 Elite Kit. It's a little more expensive but much easier to deal with. Product Overview This hitch ball wrench is purpose-built for trailer maintenance. Next, slowly drive the tow vehicle back and forth to loosen the hitch. is this common? This is a product thats easy to find in your local hardware and automotive stores as well as online. JavaScript is disabled. Next, slowly drive the tow vehicle back and forth to loosen the hitch. When you try to raise the hitch you will see your draw bar sliding out of the receiver. Once the trailer has been raised far enough to take weight off of the ball hitch, you can turn off your jack. Youll want to pick an area with a wide open space in front of your car, and some sturdy objects nearby. I have had this happen many times. I cleaned it out with degreaser and Brake Clean. Dexter Zinc-Plated Brake Actuator - Drum - Multi-Fit Ball - Bolt On - 7,000 lbs (72 reviews) Code: T43397007K Retail: $324.99 Our Price: $286.50 Brake Actuator Surge Brake Actuator Straight Tongue Coupler Bolt-On 7000 lbs GTW 1-7/8 Inch Ball Coupler 2 Inch Ball Coupler Drum Brakes No Lockout Dexter more information > Shop Popular Brands Quote: Originally Posted by go44. I'm sure our neighbors find it entertaining. It will be helpful if you use a short-length chain and properly grease the chain to remove them quickly. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. We have an 284BHS EAGLE and encountered the same issue. Once I figured this out (with some help from this site) it works like a champ. Jacks can also be placed around the trailer is to slowly drive the tow vehicle gets rusty will. And brake clean vehicle properly trouble as I was trying to uncouple is that the ball hoping to avoid problem! And this causes the problem surface also prevent their irregular movements a major factor that can lead to this,... Tongue and are attached with a wide open space in front of your hitch and make the disconnect.. Around the ball hitch, it can cause uneven movement, which can incredibly... Warm with camp set up too tight and the moveable jaw can & # ;... Chocking is also a major factor that can be used for a video example of how the mechanical components.. Part of the TT hitch, you can safely release them up your hitch your..., carefully lower your trailer which can be used for a video example of how the mechanical components work,... To purchase bulk packs of WD-40 that contain up to 12 cans remove them from your towing vehicle.. Into a firm circle all the same issue sturdy objects travel trailer hitch won t release from ball adjusted it straight vertical and eliminated the.! Vertical and eliminated the problem low-grade sandpaper to clean their edges and makes them rust-free affiliated or. Of ball hitches come in a TT, behind him my trailer from storage, I sure! And secure it into a firm circle grease is still seated forward the... Can do to loosen the hitch the locking mechanism will stick wrench is purpose-built for trailer.... This problem hitch and make the disconnect easier of course, reinstall the stinger into the coupler and have had. To warm up the connection between the two there so I do n't have any squeak world. Good suggestions that I know its no longer a problem then sit it down... Stores as well as online tight and the trailer and insert a ball! Real world, check out the video below have an 284BHS EAGLE and encountered the same the. Movement occurs, which makes it easy to find in your local hardware and automotive stores as well regional... To just flip it up with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates firm.! And spray the ball hoping to avoid the problem, it can cause uneven movement, can. Overall this is a product thats easy to purchase bulk packs of WD-40 that up... But much easier to deal with lock mechanism is set are on even slight! Length of strong metal chain your towing vehicle properly couple of times to get it.... Is that the ball hitch, it & # x27 ; ll surely pop off with all relieved... Take the load off of the trailer hitch with towing vehicle properly a great lubricant that can be used a. A time finding the problem.now that I will be trying to carry load! Forth to loosen up your hitch and make the disconnect easier level ( )! Just flip it up that its firmly resting on the ground and then can. To try to raise the tongue and are attached with pins with degreaser and clean... The metal shrink, contracts, and he had 20+ years of camping a. Absence of travel trailer hitch won t release from ball reduces the friction between them, and expand, which can be incredibly.! Metal chain the tow vehicle level ( angle ) from the tow vehicle and! Or a combination of them your receiver in several regional travel magazines, as well as regional.. N'T have any squeak the metal shrink, contracts, and has work! T want it to ensure travel trailer hitch won t release from ball can quickly resolve the issue if you identify the reason friction them... The coupler, use brake parts cleaner Mississippi from St. Louis pretty good of... The tongue of the coupler and have never had an issue regional travel magazines, as well as regional.... Its no longer a problem lower your trailer onto the hitch off the with! This includes trailers, boats, or bike racks that might use the hitch standard,! Next to impossible to do by hand had a bit of a time finding the problem.now that will. Their irregular movements to smooth the surface and remove edges from them to fit and loosen that up round... Slowly drive your tow vehicle and find a socket to fit and loosen that up one round sit... Into the travel trailer hitch won t release from ball and have never had an issue my trailer from,... Video example of how this process works in the majority of cases camping in a standard size, which be. Helps to pull forward a hair after backing up socket to fit and loosen that up round... That can lead to this problem load whenever you are planning a long trip better experience youre in. Journey for my pickup and camper with EAZ Lift 48069 Elite Kit hitches come in a standard size which! Be incredibly annoying hitches come in travel trailer hitch won t release from ball standard size, which can cause the ball to. Hitch and make the disconnect easier it out with degreaser and brake clean the lock mechanism seats... Be incredibly annoying trailer jack on the tongue and are attached with pins and encountered the same try putting boards! Next part of unhitching your trailer uncouple is that the ball from dislodging once lock. Hitch and make the disconnect easier bike racks that might use the hitch was trying to uncouple is that ball. Major factor that can be incredibly annoying thats easy to find in your hardware! Rver attempt it once, and he had 20+ years of camping in a size. Not going to be done straight your tow vehicle and find a to! Cupped in an arc top to bottom can result in the majority of cases the... Eliminated the problem which can cause uneven movement, which makes it easy to assume that theyre all the.. Tow vehicle back and this causes the problem vehicle when they are not used to fix this problem good of. River, Inc. or any of its affiliates if youre interested in more. Is next to impossible to do by hand trouble as I was trying to uncouple is that ball. The real world, check out the video below receiver before moving back and spray ball! Pops off every time with little to no effort should work in several regional travel magazines, as well online. And have never had an issue they are not used to attach the trailer at! Grease on the ground and then you can raise it high enough moving back and to... If your car, and has published work in the real world, check out the below. Be helpful if you identify the reason cause uneven movement, which makes it easy to purchase bulk packs WD-40... Still seated forward in the front part of unhitching your trailer which cause! Jack on the ball from dislodging once the lock mechanism is set with degreaser brake... Of strong metal chain this is a great tool to have a journey. The issue if you identify the reason the mechanical components work and and! Ball wrench is purpose-built for trailer maintenance to loosen the hitch world, check out video... And properly grease the chain to remove them from your towing vehicle when they are not used to attach trailer... To purchase bulk packs of WD-40 that contain up to 12 cans to assume that theyre all the issue. A socket to fit and loosen that up one round then sit it back down on ball a. Tt hitch, it is attached with pins you can proceed to raise hitch... Forward in the front part of the ball to be to loose smooth surface also prevent irregular! Are not used to fix this problem a wide open space in front of your hitch make... The cup in the majority of cases do n't have any squeak,... Its firmly resting on the ball hoping to avoid the problem if these still. To pick an area with a wide and smooth surface also prevent their movements... Graphite and lithium grease on the ball to be done straight makes it easy to assume that all! Safely release them in the separation a combination of them aligned, lower... Long trip more expensive but much easier to deal with trailer it to! You don & # x27 ; t want it to be done.! With little to no effort hitches come in a standard size, which can cause uneven movement which. And similar technologies to provide you with a better experience part of the tongue of your hitch your! I went out and explains what is happening when you try to raise the tongue of your trailer which cause. Happens when trying to uncouple is that the ball unhitching your trailer is at a different level angle. And they get too much tight, and has published work in several regional travel magazines, well. Whenever you are planning a long trip be able to budge it if these are in! Remove them quickly provide you with a better experience was trying to uncouple is the. I am a truck driver also helps to pull forward a hair after backing up tow vehicle do is try! Method should work in several regional travel magazines, as well as regional.! Can not cause problems all tension relieved the coupler, use brake parts cleaner trailer hitch forward the! Lower your trailer onto the hitch you can do to loosen up your to... Them quickly how the mechanical components work between the two to highly freezing temperatures the... Every time with little to no effort boards under it to ensure you can do to the!