Receiver hitch sticking

[SPYDERLK]

If all the inserts stop about the same location and fit fine in your other vehicle receivers then you don’t want to grind on them, that’s not the problem. The problem is on the inside of the receiver they will not go into, most likely rust, dirt, rocks, mud or a combination those are the problem. You need to clean out the inside of the receiver, as stated above a good file and work all four sides of the receiver from the front all the way to the back, you may even wash it out with a pressure washer then use the file. Once you have it sliding in and out freely take some paint or even primer and spray the inside to help keep from rusting.

This ^ ^ is the answer. Your interference point is far in. You want the end of the file to cut. Grind the very end flat to give sharp edges on all four sides. Then cover the file teeth and angle the file in the hole to use the sharp end edges to shave the rust at the depth it is interfering.

 

[oosik]

My new Power Wagon has a 2 1/2" receiver. I just two days ago bought a pintle/ball hitch. It's 2". So I needed to slide the 2" sleeve inside the 2 1/2" receiver. Same situation as yours. Goop inside the 2 1/2" receiver. The "goop" was an accumulation of dried, rock hard powder coat. Long handled, flat blade screw driver & small hammer - problem solved.

For goodness sakes DO NOT grind on the hitch. Remove whatever is inside the receiver. View attachment 617359

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Have you used this receiver before with your inserts?
The UTV I just got has a 2" receiver but my inserts wouldn't fit,
they stopped inserting about half a hole from lining up.
The inserts depth was just a bit shallow when putting the inserts in as a rise,
when used as a drop it fit good.
I ended up grinding about a quarter inch off the long side of the tapered end of the insert.

My polaris ranger is like that. The receiver hole is too small, a 2" insert will not go in, not even close. No rust, brand new.

 

[two_bit_score]

This ^ ^ is the answer. Your interference point is far in. You want the end of the file to cut. Grind the very end flat to give sharp edges on all four sides. Then cover the file teeth and angle the file in the hole to use the sharp end edges to shave the rust at the depth it is interfering.

:thumbsup:

 

[Rebeldad1]

if you think your hitch is wearing and it wont fit..... the hitch doesnt get smaller from wear

get a long piece of 2" angle iron or 2" receiver tube and cut the end so its sharp. if its starting to get tight hammer it in.
also cleane the receiver out with a wire brush and spray some paint in it. while its semi wet run the hitch in hard till it sticks. pull it out and shine a light in it. you will se exactlt on the hitch and the receiver whats wrong.

hope it all makes sence...

 

[John_Mc]

This ^ ^ is the answer. Your interference point is far in. You want the end of the file to cut. Grind the very end flat to give sharp edges on all four sides. Then cover the file teeth and angle the file in the hole to use the sharp end edges to shave the rust at the depth it is interfering.

That's just what I did (see reply #15). The end of my file is already squared off with a sharp edge. I bought a longer file today and will try with that. The original one was short enough that I could not get much leverage by the time I reached the problem area.

 

[4570Man]

Could you eliminate the need the change between 3 different hitches?

 

[SPYDERLK]

That's just what I did (see reply #15). The end of my file is already squared off with a sharp edge. I bought a longer file today and will try with that. The original one was short enough that I could not get much leverage by the time I reached the problem area.

Grinding the end will give a real cutting edge like on a lathe tool. You have to be careful not to knick yourself with it. The end of a file is not supplied that sharp. The longer file will be ideal. You can even tap the tang with a hammer to help shaving the rust or for dislodging a more sizable piece.

 

[John_Mc]

Could you eliminate the need the change between 3 different hitches?

One of the inserts uses no ball. That's how I connect my log forwarding trailer with its pin hitch to my truck. That insert has also been modified to make it thicker, to make the kind of fit I want with the logging trailer hitch. The extra thickness might still work with a ball, but the hole is a bit egged out from use. I would not want to use it with a ball in it anymore. The other two have differing drops to match different trailers. I suppose I could just let one trailer ride unlevel, but since I already have to change the hitch at some point anyway, I just use the correct one with each trailer.

 

[countrybumpkin]

You should be able to use a dozen inserts if need be, I have several depending on what trailer and what vehicle combo. I didn’t realize you were not able to clean the entire length of the receiver were the insert fits, once you can do that I think you’ll notice a difference.

 

[John_Mc]

You should be able to use a dozen inserts if need be, I have several depending on what trailer and what vehicle combo. I didn’t realize you were not able to clean the entire length of the receiver were the insert fits, once you can do that I think you’ll notice a difference.

I could use any insert... up until fairly recently.

 

[Renze]

Are you sure it isnt just the locking pin burring up the hole in the receiver tube ?

 

[John_Mc]

The hole had a slight burr on the far side of the hole (the edge closest to the front of the car), but the end of the insert has already passed that point before things bind up. it turns out the real problem was a build-up of rust just a bit beyond the hole. The 12" file I bought was able to reach it. After a bit of work, I got the receiver to accept the inert without a lot hassle. The truck is going in to replace a position switch on the transmission in the near future. While it's in there, the guy is going to hit the inside of the receiver with his sand blaster and clean it out for me. Turns out he's done a bunch of them with similar problems in the past. I'll paint it up and keep it well greased when I get it back.

 

[sklunk]

There are companies out there making ball mounts that don't contact all 4 sides. Here are some quick examples:

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Titan-Ba...eplacement-Auto-Part-Easy-to-Install/35525454

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Industrial-Duty-Forged-Ball-Mount/938625071

https://www.homedepot.com/p/TowSmart-5-000-lb-5-1-4-in-Drop-X-Mount-Ball-Mount-702/206798777

 

[bdog]

Filing and grinding are the best way to remedy the problem but if lazy you can try pounding it in with a big sledgehammer and than yanking it out with another truck or your tractor. We had a tight receiver hitch and did this 3-4 times and it loosened it up.

 

[John_Mc]

Got the truck back a couple days ago. The guy did a great job sandblasting the inside of the receiver. Things slide in and out easily. I primed and painted it, and will probably try spraying with fluid film as a rust protectant. It's a little less messy than grease, and seems to do OK keeping rust at bay in other applications.