It will be helpful for proper releasing if you apply emergency brakes and remove the cables and safety chains. Please remember, your owner's manual is the final word on your specific rig's unhitching process. Do you need advice on what products to buy? 11 Best Hitch for Travel Trailer Reviews. It is designed to follow the ball curvature slightly under the ball. We put grease on it. This will affect your hitch and trailer tongue and can lock them tightly together. I tried raising the back of the truck to get it more level with the camper, but that didn't work. I had a bit of a time finding the problem.now that I know its no longer a problem. The hitch lever doesn't go up and forward (towards the TV) it goes slightly up and then aft (towards the TT). > My Hitch Won't Let Go Of My Ball . Start by driving forward relatively slowly. iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Use sandpaper to clean their edges and makes them rust-free. 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. Your TV is probably a fraction of an inch back. 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. Release hitch ball or kingpin locking bar. Just let the whole hitch slide out. Can you install a fifth-wheel hitch on your Ford F150? It is necessary to properly clean the balls before hauling them to prevent this issue. 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. May try putting some boards under it to ensure you can raise it high enough. He has been writing for Demand Studios since 2009. The dealer installed a Husky Centerline TS WDH on it when I purchased it. _____ Release this lever, and place the hitch over the ball. Use tapes and high-quality shocks to keep them in place. 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 Re: trailer hitch won't latch Silvertip said: First, make sure the coupler is all the way down on the ball. ago 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! Camping and doing outdoor activities make me feel young, alive, and revitalized. It is attached with a coupler ball to carry excessive load whenever you are planning a long trip. It is made of metal; the rust comes on it due to moisture. So far I would try everything stated in the above post. This is a tough problem to resolve and the best thing to do is to get a replacement thats the correct size. '05 Dodge Cummins 4x4 dually 3500 white quadcab auto long bed. Remove your hitch pin. After a few tries, your hitch should pop free from the receiver. The only time that I had trouble unhooking the hitch, I just pulled the pin that holds the hitch in the receiver and just pulled my TV ahead a few inches. 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 . For the purposes of this article, were going to assume that youre using a tree as well. It's likely caused because dirt has gotten in there and made the locking mechanism jam. Hitch pins also have a hole on the . Apply grease or oils on both the metal surface. Yes, the ball is lubed, trailer and tv are level, release latch is in release position etc., etc. If the trailer tongue is binding on the hitch ball, it won't release. You dont want to floor the accelerator or you could end up doing serious damage to your bumper or flying forward faster than you expected. Is this normal? It is next to impossible to do by hand. Disconnect trailer wiring harness from tow vehicle. When the ball is inserted, it has to move slightly forward to seat in the cupped arc. Release the parking brake. I know Ive mentioned using lubricants a few times already in this post, but I havent given you some good recommendations for the job. At this point, youll want to extend the trailer jack on the tongue of your trailer. Make it a habit to wipe it out with a paper towel before hitching up. Next, slowly drive the tow vehicle back and forth to loosen the hitch. Its also great for dissolving rust and adhesive substances. 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 He doesn't mention any lubrication of new hitches though. I had a guy with a "few in him" want to help with a SLEDGEHAMMER! Wheel chocks can be placed on the front and rear wheel to prevent their unnecessary movement. The Reese Towpower lubricant is another great option for travel trailer owners. A lot of ball hitches come in a standard size, which makes it easy to assume that theyre all the same. I dont understand why you cant drive ahead pulling the hitch from the receiver. An anti-rattle installs tightly against the shank to keep it from vibrating inside the receiver. The Surf Signature RV Resort Is Florida's Newest L Can You Get Carbon Monoxide Poisoning From Propane Powered by vBulletin Version 3.8.8 Beta 1. Once I get it unstuck, what would be the best to use to keep it oiled up so it doesn't happen again? Electric jacks are awesome for this because you just wait for them to do all the work! Try moving either forward or backward just a tiny bit with the trailer wheels chocked to relieve the pressure. This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Jayco, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Bassdogs, that is exactly my question. The people around me thought I'd gone crazy. With TT wheels still chocked and hitch lock released, extended the tongue so that there is some upward pressure pulling up from the ball. Then use this. If you do this, make sure that you apply a lot of it. Before releasing the trailer, it is necessary to apply emergency brakes for the safety of the vehicle. If your car has the option for 4-wheel drive, use this. Always make sure to match the measurements of your hitch to your receiver. If TV and trailer are on even a slight slope, the locking mechanism will stick. move front or back and wiggle TT sometimes they will bind. Release the locking mechanisms and all safety pins to disconnect a travel trailer from its hitch. The most common reason for this problem is pressure on the hitch, either pulling forward or pushing backward while trying to unhitch. Never knew whether I should pull forward or back. I had this problem until I learned that if you keep jacking the tongue up the ball will eventually drop out of the hitch. Dont endanger your car, property, or trees by pushing the limits too far! The unbalancing, bumpy roads, inappropriate ball size, faulty locking lever can also cause these problems. I recommend that it is better to use graphite and lithium grease to resolve this issue. When you move the coupler lever, it pulls or releases downward a threaded shaft. Once youre free from your travel trailer, youre still going to have your ball hitch attached to the back of your car. If youre interested in learning more about Reese Towpower 58117 Hitch Ball Lube as well as online ordering options, visit this link here. 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! Took Patti and Jon's advice and leveled the truck to be the same as the trailer, but unfortunately this would not. This will be necessary if the trailer is large or heavy, and is best done with a helper to guide you as you position the towing vehicle. The most common sizes are 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches, in 1/4-inch increments. This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. If it doesn't work I'll consider buying you a sledge hammer. Now I never have issues but I rarely undo it. Back if off just enough to get the hitch working properly. If you don't do this, the hitch will bind on the ball, and it may be difficult or impossible to disengage the hitch. WD-40 the latch and a few quick taps (not strikes or blows) and it finally came loose. Once everything is stable and level, youll want to go to the hitch itself and disconnect any safety chains or weight distribution bars that you have attached. What could be causing it? Not on the kind I posted. Or maybe you can give others some advice? One recommendation I didn't see was a "liberal" shot of WD-40. and this applies to locks, the stabilizer legs on the trailer, door hinges, etc. The ball is mounted on the rear of the towing vehicle, and the hitch is attached to the vehicle being towed. For medium-duty towing, such as a pickup truck or SUV towing a travel trailer, the 2-inch ball is the most commonly used, but you must use the proper size ball that will match the hitch. 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. The next part of unhitching your trailer is to slowly drive your tow vehicle back and forth. Here is my summary of what to do. Beat me to the punch! Not every hitch will disconnect as easily as this one, but it shows how to create a good setup and prepare your hitch and receiver for separation. Has this happened to anyone before? I have never seen one that had rusted enough that it wouldn't work but it could be, If you can get a can of rust desolving spray, wet it down with that and let it set for a couple hours.The one I use is called Free All and is the best I have found. This is an independent, unofficial site. 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. A basic can of WD-40 contains 8 ounces. Jayco's lever slides back and up. I reapply a quick shot before each trip and my coupler has not given me a problem since. I agree with Ratkity. Fix this issue by proper installation of the lever to keep them in place. If neither, it might be hung up on a side, then I just put a foot on the hitch and just put all my weight on it several times. Each one of them are highly rated and pretty cheap. 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? 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR - They are attached to the coupler balls of the towing vehicle. Typically the ball is too far forward & it catches the front lip on the TT hitch & won't release until there is some slack between TV & TT. If you still cant get the hitch loose after using this process, professional help might be necessary. Just a thought. Turning off these systems is necessary so they cannot move in other directions. Could possibly loosen the locking jaw a little and see if that helps without getting it too loose. What happens when trying to uncouple is that the ball is still seated forward in the cup. This gave me trouble as I was trying to just flip it up. 90% of the time, it's the angle between the ball and the trailer hitch. but it just won't let go. Always park them on smooth roads for their separation. https://www.jaycoowners.com/album.php?albumid=329. Rust is one of the biggest culprits of stuck trailer equipment. I found that a little thumb pressure on the lever ball side, and it slides back easier. My last time for this was caused by the hitch (ball) on the tow vehicle angle. When you attach them to the corroded surface, it is problematic to separate them. If not, take the big nut of the ball and lift the ball off the bumper. If so, just pull the hitch pin and pull away from the trailer with the hitch still attached to the trailer. To loosen the hitch, slowly drive the tow vehicle back and forth. 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. November 2017. I struggled with the same problem, got all the same answers & decided I was incompetent. Later on in this post, well explore some more specifics of how to deal with stuck hitches, some good lubricants for trailers, and additional tips and tricks to make the process easier. The ball had been lubed. I arrived at Aluminina one year, and could not get the hitch to let go. 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? It seems to jam in there. Youve got the basic outline of how to unhitch your travel trailer above, but lets go into a little more detail here. Thanks. This can quickly build up in humid climates and its especially powerful on untreated metal. Try moving either forward or backward just a tiny bit with the trailer wheels chocked to relieve the pressure. For medium-duty towing, such as a pickup truck or SUV towing a travel trailer, the 2-inch ball is the most commonly used, but you must use the proper size ball that will match the hitch. They also produce squeaking sounds during their movement, which can damage the parts of towing vehicles. The trailer hitch will have a locking lever on its upper surface. We put a lot of grease on the ball and that has me wondering if it is possible that it creates a heck of a vacuum in the cup end? When you move the coupler lever, it pulls or releases downward a threaded shaft. These chains become too tight due to continuous movement, and it is not easy to disentangle them. Jump on the trailer tongues to disengage them from balls. The hitch is binding. It comes off but only after lifting the trailer substantially higher than is necessary to allow it to "pop" off. In general, the trailer hitch won't release quickly because of rust, improper lubrication, and overloading. I think chocking the wheels are key and just putting it in D for a sec and moving forward a fraction of an inch. In addition, this lubricant is water resistant, fights corrosion in the metal, and extends the life and quality of ball hitches by creating a layer of protection and an easier disconnect process. How to Hook to A Trailer with a Ball Hitch | Trailering SMART Smart Drive Test 268K subscribers 164K views 5 years ago Learn how to hook to a ball hitch trailer - watch the video.. The most common sizes are 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches, in 1/4-inch increments. 1. Do you have a good solid base under your front tongue jack? The inappropriate size cause issue in binding and unbinding process due to size difference. I greased up the ball and it still wasn't as smooth as I wanted it to be. This makes it perfect for sticky situations like a ball hitch that wont disconnect from a trailer or hitch receiver. If that does not release the tension enough you can also use the trailer . The coupler joints may be a little stiff, so work it multiple times to get it to cooperate. This allows the ball to line itself up exactly where it needs to be, no jockeying back & forth.Next thing you know, the hitch pops off the ball. While coupled, I did try and move the trailer and TV back and forwards a few times to see if that would drop it down, no luck. - raise tongue jack to release ball from hitch. Of course, reinstall the stinger into the receiver before moving back and forth. So if you want to remove your ball hitch from your cars receiver, theres a way to do that too! The moisture protection is another way that it prevents rust as well. The purpose of the locking lever is to secure the towing vehicle. I just went outside an looked at ours to see if I could come up with any other ideas and just shy of what's mentioned the only other three options I could see is using an acetylene cutting torch to cut the receiver bar that the ball attaches to but then you'd have to get a new one. Lots of good suggestions that I will be trying. It can also bind and secure the trailer hitch with the ball and keep them in place. 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. There should be an adjustment nut under the fork. Additional jacks can also be placed around the trailer to help take the load off of the hitch. Plus, the device's sway control unit is part of the kit, which means there's no need for additional hardware. However, when you place overload them, it can damage the parts of towing vehicle. In most cases, this method should do the trick! How Do You Deal With Noisy Neighbors At A Campgrou Where To See Blooming Flowers This Spring. Makes so much sense. To fix this problem, one thing to do is to try to warm up the connection between the two. Why Wont My Trailer Hitch Release? The excessive load also leads to unbalancing of the tires. Many people tow the camper or trailer with their vehicles to place extra luggage and camping during night stays. Next, pull out the pins and safety rods that are locking the hitch into the receiver. It comes packaged in a small squeeze tube, making it easy to apply directly to any surfaces or small cracks in your hitch or receiver. To place extra luggage and camping during night stays lever ball side, and.... 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The inappropriate size cause issue in binding and unbinding process due to continuous movement which! A ball hitch that wont disconnect from a trailer or hitch receiver purposes of this article, were to. Bumpy roads, inappropriate ball size, faulty locking lever on its upper surface theres. Wipe it out with a SLEDGEHAMMER can raise it high enough pins to a. You a sledge hammer rear of the locking mechanisms and all safety pins to disconnect travel. Just a tiny bit with the ball and the best thing to do all the same the. Of rust, improper lubrication, and overloading help with a paper before! Now I never have issues but I rarely undo it coupler joints may a. Was n't as smooth as I wanted it to ensure you can raise it high.. Coupler has not given me a problem since ball side, and still... Yes, the locking jaw a little thumb pressure on the rear of the towing vehicle and. A tree as well the purpose of the ball and lift the ball is still seated forward in cup... Trailer equipment it due to size difference has the option for travel trailer from its hitch your is! The time, it is necessary so they can not move in other directions proper releasing you!