Trailer came off ball?

[hoseman28]

I have a trailer that I just bought and while pulling it with some mulch loaded over the axles and to the rear (which made the tongue light ) the trailer unhooked from the ball hitch.The tongue coupling is an Atwood which takes a 2 in ball.My question is what should I be looking for I have seen the couplers that have a nut on the bottom to adjust the fit of the ball ,but this coupler does not have that.any suggestions? ty Darrin

 

[MikeD74T]

Do you by any chance have a 1 7/8" ball or a 2 5/16" coupling ???? Did you have a locking pin in the coupling? MikeD74T

 

[hoseman28]

I have a 2 in ball and the coupler says 2 in .I did have a bolt in lock.

 

[kevinj]

I have a 2 in ball and the coupler says 2 in .I did have a bolt in lock.

Aside from loading it wrong; you must have a worn out coupler if you are certain the ball and coupler are matched.

 

[Steve_Miller]

I had a new one uncouple on me and it was because it was not adjusted properly off the shelf. Just a matter of tightening the nut on the coupler to make it clamp the ball.

Steve

 

[Willis Fecon Bushhogging]

I have a trailer that I just bought and while pulling it with some mulch loaded over the axles and to the rear (which made the tongue light ) the trailer unhooked from the ball hitch.The tongue coupling is an Atwood which takes a 2 in ball.My question is what should I be looking for I have seen the couplers that have a nut on the bottom to adjust the fit of the ball ,but this coupler does not have that.any suggestions? ty Darrin

I have never seen a coupler, that you cant adjust. Sometimes its a nut on the bottom and other times, you turn the locking arm, to tighten the device.
If I had your problem, i would buy a new 2" ball, put it in the coupler and lock it and see if it feels tight. If its loose, try a 2 5/16" ball and seeif it will work. There is a small chance that the coupler is marked wrong.
Always load a trailer, with tongue weight.
Keep us posted

 

[Diamondpilot]

Any chance the 5/16 wore off? I know you said it says 2" but maybe it was a 2 5/16" and it has just worn off or is painted over. I would try what the others have said, trying a different 2" ball and a 2 5/16" ball.

Chris

 

[txslowpoke]

If the trailer is new I would take it back . Explain problem and go from there. If bought used, I would replace the hitch with a Bulldog hitch.
Do you have any pics of the Atwwod hitch? Most do have an adjuster nut on the "jaw". Did you have a pin to lock the lever on the top of hitch in place once it was hooked up? I have seen Atwoods pop open if there was no pin locking the lever on top..........not often, but has happened. That pin is often over looked, that why I prefer the Bulldog style. Post what you find.

 

[ancientlake]

Bet it's 2 5/16ths

 

[dqdave1]

I;ll go with a coupler that was adjusted too loose or was not locked in place with "thumb lock"

 

[john_bud]

Is this a bar mount between 3pt lift arms? If they rotate, the ball will pop out. Just a thought.

jb

 

[Soundguy]

I'd take a mic to the ball and coupler and see what ain't right.

I'd also invest in a ball hitch lock that prevents the coupler lifting up. It's a gadget that clamps to your toungue.. etc.

soundguy

 

[wushaw]

I had a 2" Atwood coupler come off a 2" ball once but it was put into a bind, I have since replaced that coupler with a Bulldog, something will break before that bulldog comes off.

 

[MrJimi]

Take the ball off the ball mount and put it in the coupler and latch it and look to see what the problem is
Something is wrong
Jim

 

[BigHorn]

I cut off my ball hitch... and welded a pintle system onto my trailer... I will never use another hitch... Easy on / off and bulletproof!

 

[bigdad]

A trailer man's nightmare no doubt!

I always yank up on my trailer tongue real hard after I hook. If nothing else, to check myself.

I had a single axel trailer for years that had an adjustable ball socket. Real handy....especially for "friends" that borrowed the trailer. I got in the habit of checking the adjustment after it was returned because invariably..... it had been adjusted for other's convenience. (Thanks)

As for pintel They're great, but they'll beat you to death because of their slop. Only my opinion though.

BD

 

[BigHorn]

For long haul towing the "Slop" is really no bother.... in traffic stop and go it can get rough... I have been thinking about a hard rubber insert for the eye that would cure that....It could be tapped into place after you connect... Even still I tow with my Dodge 3500 "BigHorn" That being said I don't worry too much about the rattle when I stop and go... just my opinion though

 

[Diamondpilot]

Pintle hitches have their place but they will shorten the life of you drive line in a hurry. Wears everything from the rear axle to the tranny.

Chris

 

[ray66v]

I had this happen once. I was only going a short distance with an empty 4x8 flatbed, so I did not bother putting the lock on the coupler. I had used this trailer for many years without any incident. So, there was no concern.

Shortly after going over some railroad tracks, all you know what, broke loose, and so did the trailer. After several very hard jolts, the hooks on the safety chains gave out and the trailer became liberated. Luckily, it went to the right, rather than the left, and on coming traffic. As I watched helplessly in the mirror, I saw something I never expected see, It was kind of surreal, watching the trailer jump the curb and become airborne!

To my credit, the total damages were minimal, to my well built trailer. However, the damage to my comfort level when towing, was substantial.

I will NEVER, EVER, tow anything without either a lock or at the very least a nut and bolt in the lock hole of the coupler. I also replaced my "S" hooks with big quick links, that screw closed, and can not come open.

Also, make sure you do the one thing I did do right, cross the safety chains under the coupler, to support the tongue, during hitch failure.

 

[BigHorn]

Pintle hitches have their place but they will shorten the life of you drive line in a hurry. Wears everything from the rear axle to the tranny.

Chris

Only if you have a toy instead of a truck!