Coupler won't release ball!

[El Wood]

What I thought would be a quick trailer drop at my father's place turned into a long ordeal...

My trailer is about 6 months old and I've never had a problem like this before. I backed it up, moved it forward. Even had my wife jump on the rear bumper. I ended up bringing the trailer home and am getting ready to go out now and spend some time on it. Can you guys offer any suggestions on how to deal with this?

Also, whats the cat's meow for a hitch? I was thinking about getting one of those eye assembly's and a pintle hitch but don't know anything about them.

Thanks!

 

[Hay Dude]

ball/pintle is all I really use because my trailers are heavy, but it's noisy. Clunk-clunk's a lot

 

[newbury]

Happens to me all the time. I just pull the ball mount out of the hitch and whack it with a hammer if needed.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I tow almost everyday, 5 or so out of 7, and I have never had this happen. Sometimes there is a tension nut that needs adjusting.

Chris

 

[aczlan]

Picture of the hitch?

Aaron Z

 

[DT86]

And you are sure it's not just on uneven ground and in a bind?

 

[brin]

It depends on the kind of coupler you have on your trailer...I had it happen to me once...and it was silly really...on my trailer the coupler goes down on the ball and then there is a collar at the front of the trailer coupler that you push down and then the tab on top of the trailer coupler ...then you put your bolt through the 2 holes to keep it locked...

If you have this type of coupler ...are you just taking out the bolt and lifting the tab...? If so that is your problem...you do that but also you have to lift up that collar that went down in front of the coupler....

I hope this is clear...hard to describe without pictures....If you have the other standard coupler with just a tab on top of the ball and the bolt ...then it is a matter of being sure you are on level ground and not putting stress on the coupling , it should come apart...If not then try a jack under the trailer tongue...be sure the bolt is out and tab is up..Good Luck.

 

[gumshu]

Happens to me all the time. I will usually place the truck in reverse to let it inch back & put it in park again. I'll then jump on on top of the hitch and it will release. Good luck.

 

[Hay Dude]

I just delivered 10 tons of hay to the plant and dropped the trailer off at the shop before the rain hit. 5th wheel got stuck on hitch. I just keep crankin down the twin jacks until it lifts the couple off. It'll lift the *** of the truck up a little then let go.

 

[Biggreenavalanche]

Bulldog hitches are the best I've used...never had a problem, ever...

Rich

PS, A really BFH will usually solve the problem...good luck...

 

[El Wood]

Thanks for the comments guys, I got it off. i wonder if the cold weather had something to do with it. I parked it in that same spot all summer long with no problems. What I found was if the ball was touching the front or rear of the coupler even a tiny bit, it wouldn't come off. I tried pulling back and forth ( with tires choked) and sprayed a bunch of WD-40 up there but it didn't help. It's almost like there is a collar up in the coupler. I wonder if I need a new one?

I finally got it off when I jacked the trailer up until my rear bumper started to rise. I then rocked back and forth till I felt my rear end drop. What a pain in the ***!

Thanks again for the help!

 

[George2615]

Like Chris said, on the bottom side of some hitches there is an adjustment nut. I had this problem with both my 1 7/8" trailer and 2" trailer hitches. I had replaced both hitches with new ones and found the nut was too tight. I loosened the nut a half turn on each and haven't had the problem since. Sometimes the Mfg. may have the nut a little too snug. Also, use plenty of grease or lube on the ball. I use spray grease on all moving parts of the trailer hitch.

 

[ultrarunner]

Always happens when I take the enclosed trailer to storage... combination of steep driveway and terrain.

Decided long ago not to fight it.

Disconnect the Wire Plug, Pull the Pin on the drawbar and pull forward... of course, I have the trailer wheels blocked and tongue jack set...

Never have a problem hitching in that spot... only unhitching.

 

[daugen]

I loosened the nut a half turn on each and haven't had the problem since.

same here, drives you nuts, throws out your back...etc. etc. And then you stick your fingers in there trying to figure out what's hanging up and usually all you get
is a greasy hand for your troubles. Once I adjusted the nut a little looser, it got better, but on any kind of slope you'll likely fight with it a bit.
Funny how there seems to be only one kind of ball hitch. Someone ought to invent a better mousetrap.

 

[bullbreaker]

What I thought would be a quick trailer drop at my father's place turned into a long ordeal...
Even had my wife jump on the rear bumper. I ended up bringing the trailer home and am getting ready to go out now and spend some time on it. Can you guys offer any suggestions on how to deal with this?
Thanks!

Glad you got it off and no-one hurt ! :thumbsup:
By you stateing you had wife jump on rear bumper were you trying to tell us she weighs more than you ? Watch your words lots of TBN members wifes read their post here !


Boone

 

[Corm]

Here's one more vote for a Bulldog hitch. They are the best!

Corm