To disconnect a travel trailer from its hitch, release the locking mechanisms and all safety pins. Release this lever, and place the hitch over the ball. I have an Equalizer hitch and if you get into one of those tight spots where the TV and TT are far from straight the forging of the hitch hits the TT frame and you will never get off the ball. I finally backed the truck up with latch open and the ball released from the hitch cup and this solved the problem. Once the trailer has been raised far enough to take weight off of the ball hitch, you can turn off your jack. If it free off the ball it should be Ok on the ball. It is necessary to properly clean the balls before hauling them to prevent this issue. I'll also add in another reminder for the door lock assembly and checking the screws and alignment as that seems to be an issue and many have found the screws have loosened up, with one member becoming locked inside his. First, make sure the coupler latch is open fully to accept the ball. How Many Batteries Does a Semi Truck Have? When the towing vehicle is not used for hauling, and the coupler remains attached to them. Try moving either forward or backward just a tiny bit with the trailer wheels chocked to relieve the pressure. Tim 07-20-2015, 06:48 AM #74: VicS1950. You should see a nut or bolt through the latch. Just ease the TV ahead enough to tighten against the front of the hitch. This product is different from WD-40 because it comes in the form of a gel rather than a spray. 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 . Also helps getting rid of the minor fore and aft movement in the hitch. It did release. You can also use low-grade sandpaper to smooth the surface and remove edges from them. Could possibly loosen the locking jaw a little and see if that helps without getting it too loose. Not on the kind I posted. Park the trailer behind it, but don't hook it up. Removal also requires two large wrenches. Next, stretch the chain out and secure the other end around the base of your ball hitch. Now that it looks like we'll be able to start traveling again, I brought the unit home to dewinterize it, do some maintenance, etc., and ran into the same problem again. Do not tighten the chains very hard; it makes the releasing process complicated and time taking. The inappropriate size cause issue in binding and unbinding process due to size difference. Deal with that thing once you're warm with camp set up and a beer in hand. They are attached to the coupler balls of the towing vehicle. Once the wheels on my truck started to lift off the ground, it was obvious "just keep lifting it" wasn't working. Help, yesterday I tried hooking up my trailer using a Reese 66069 WD hitch. First things first, detach everything that might be adding weight onto the ball hitch. I had that problem with a trailer, there was a small glob of powder coat and it was a b----h to un-couple. Then use this. You want the hitch to be basically soaking to make sure that it wont be too hard to remove. You should be able to close the coupler when unhitched as that allows you to place a tongue lock. jnbhobe Well-known member Jul 1, 2019 #11 I've done the WD 40 and grease. Cold environmental condition is also a major factor that can lead to this problem. The trailer hitch will have a locking lever on its upper surface. After chocking the trailer wheels get in tow vehicle with brakes off, put into neutral then lock parking brake. Release the locking mechanisms and all safety pins to disconnect a travel trailer from its hitch. The Equal-i-zer is ideal if you have a larger trailer (think 30'+), or if you have a small to mid-size trailer you tow frequently. Is this normal? 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. A Guide To Camping Near White Sands National Park. The excessive load also leads to unbalancing of the tires. Use tapes and high-quality shocks to keep them in place. Drive forward and backward a half inch and you should feel it release. 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, . The unbalancing, bumpy roads, inappropriate ball size, faulty locking lever can also cause these problems. Silverodo07 pretty nnuch gave you the answer that I was going to give. 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. It's a little more expensive but much easier to deal with. Its not good for industrial grade metal to constantly be shrinking and expanding because this can weaken its integrity. Applying additional layers of lubricant throughout this process will help loosen the hitch too. If u r on level ground, chock ur camper wheels and place ur truck in neutral while unhooking. When you do not remove the coupler balls after use, it becomes rusty. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more! However, if youre dealing with a sticky hitch, you may need to get out of your car and adjust the jacks a few more times. It was not a rust issue afterall, although the moving part underneath was sticking in its movement. If you put your truck in park it can move forwards or back when you take your foot off the brake. Trailer Hitch Ball Trailer Hitch Ball Standard Ball Chrome-Plated Steel 1-7/8 Inch Diameter Ball 1-9/16 Inch Shank Length 3/4 Inch Diameter Shank 2000 lbs GTW Class I Class II Draw-Tite more information > 2" Hitch Ball - 1" Diameter x 2-1/8" Long Shank - Chrome - 7,500 lbs (1164 reviews) Code: 63845 Retail: $26.50 Our Price: $14.61 Senior . So there is a nightmare for them to loosen this nut. Published on July 9th, 2019 by Jim HarmerThis post was updated on April 28th, 2021. 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 . In most cases, this method should do the trick! I recently posted with the same problem. The best solution is that you should not park them in open garages. 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 have had hitch disconnect 'popping' with my larger trailer where I used to keep lowering the post raising the rear end of my car. Your TV is probably a fraction of an inch back. I have had similar problems with my hitch. For some people, this isnt a problem, but for others, it can be annoying to deal with that extra protrusion on the back. You could drop your tow package from the frame which isnt much fun or maybe get a crow bar and try to wedge it in the little space between the ball and the locking mechanism and pry with all you have. He has been writing for Demand Studios since 2009. Usually a jump on the truck hitch will work. My horse trailer has a bulldog coupler. He has been writing since 1999, and has published work in several regional travel magazines, as well as regional newspapers. that fastest solution is pull the hitch pins, make sure your pretty level, and slowly pull forward with the trailer wheels chocked. I have this same problem. Maybe the locking mechanism is too tight. Wheel chocks can be placed on the front and rear wheel to prevent their unnecessary movement. Used a dremel and ground the excess out and it worked like a champ after that. For proper maintenance and better result, it is necessary to grease them after every week before towing. Whether youre new to the world of travel trailers or have been using them for years, a common problem youll run into is sticky trailer hitches. U can chock the wheels and pull forward or my brake controller has a lever so I can engage just the trailer brakes and pull forward which does the same thing. The coupler joints may be a little stiff, so work it multiple times to get it to cooperate. The purpose of the locking lever is to secure the towing vehicle. Bassdogs, that is exactly my question. I looked into the hitch, and there isn't any adjustment nut. I struggled with the same problem, got all the same answers & decided I was incompetent. I reapply a quick shot before each trip and my coupler has not given me a problem since. Pretty simple, but it can be a problem. Apply grease or oils on both the metal surface. 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. You can also disconnect the axle shaft to prevent unnecessary movement. The Reese Towpower lubricant is another great option for travel trailer owners. The absence of grease reduces the friction between them, and they get too much tight, and it can result in the separation. Ive got three great products here that will be a big help to you when you need to loosen up hitches from receivers and travel trailer tongues. but it just won't let go. It is also beneficial to clean them with baking soda for better results. I keep mine open too, but keep it oiled up. Its set up too tight and the moveable jaw can't close around the ball. Give it a look if youre interested in learning more! Hi, my name is Robert and I am a truck driver. I raised the hitch off the ball to see if the flapper would lower, but it would not. Beat me to the punch! When the ball is tipped (trying to get under the coupler) it won't go in or catches on the lock. Cookie Notice Turning off these systems is necessary so they cannot move in other directions. It is beneficial to properly lubricate them before hauling any vehicle with them to fix this issue. 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