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RE: getting the hitch on the ball

Started by MtnCamper, Sep 29, 2003, 05:35 PM

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MtnCamper

Sep 29, 2003, 05:35 PM
 madroneTry this, instead of backing up directly under the ball. Stop an inch shorter, or half inch shorter. Now let the trailer down so there is about 10lbs of wieght on the hitch, and tug on it a little, should drop right on. Especially if you have greased the ball.

mike4947

#1
Sep 29, 2003, 06:14 PM
 madroneGary s right. Most of the time it s the keeper pawl at the back of the coupler that hanges up because there s pressure on it. Letting the couple slide onto the ball keeps the pressure on the front of the coupler and away from the keeper. Greasing it shoud also help.

tlhdoc

#2
Sep 29, 2003, 06:53 PM
 madroneThink of it this way.  You want the coupler to reach for the ball.  I had the same problem when I first started towing.[:)]

Campaholics

#3
Sep 29, 2003, 10:33 PM
 madroneI have similar problems getting the hitch on the ball.  Sometimes it goes right on, sometimes it has a mind of its own.  I have the worst time on our drive way with the pu on an incline, point down and the tv  on a more or less level portion of the drive.  Usually I am on my back watching the hitch come down and trying to get the positioning exactly right.  Is there some secret to hitching when there a fore to aft angle between the pu and tv?
 Thanks,
 Bob

mike4947

#4
Sep 29, 2003, 11:25 PM
 madroneBob, unfortunately you ve got one of the worst positions to hook up or unhook a trailer as the trailer is always going to be pushing toward the TV and putting pressure on the keeper.
 One thing to try is getting the coupler just about all the way down and having someone release the brakes on the TV and let it roll slightly foward and having the trailer wheels chocked so it can t follow the TV motion. This puts the pressure on the front of the coupler and let s the keeper move and lock or unlock.

whitestar505

#5
Sep 30, 2003, 06:07 AM
 madronemadrone,
 
   All of the suggestions above are very good but if they don t work try this.
 
    Had the same problem with my other trailer which was a Coleman Sedona. What I found to be helpful was not to use the parking break on the TV. Don t know if you use yours or not, but when I either unhitched or hitched it went very smoothly without the break on. If the break was on it was heXX to try to get it on and off. I guess there was some play in the movement of the TV.

tgawel

#6
Sep 30, 2003, 09:55 AM
 madroneI have a question, is it a hitch alignment issue, or the hitch not fully releasing? I have a similar problem with my Jayco, only the hitch latch mechanism likes to stick. I tried using grease, but it did not solve the problem. I used some spray lubricant on the latch and my problem went away.[:D]

Campaholics

#7
Sep 30, 2003, 05:27 PM
 madroneMike4947,
 Thanks for the idea. I ll try it when I hook up Thursday night.
 Bob

cpine

#8
Oct 01, 2003, 06:37 AM
 madroneI had this same problem and it was easily resolved. I hope this explanation is understandable. The hitch lock lever (the one that you push down to lock and then put the pin through) has some play in it forward and back. I learned that before attempting to drop the trailer onto the ball this lever mechanism (not just the lever) must be set in the forward (toward the camper) position. I have never had another problem dropping on the ball.

madrone

#9
Oct 01, 2003, 02:15 PM
 madroneThanks!
 
 We tried the " reach for the ball"  trick after lubing the ball and it hitched right up this morning. [:)]
 
 We ll see if that was just a fluke or whether we ve found the trick.
 
 My theory is that it went so well because of the excellent job I did lining up the car with the trailer, but Garry disagrees.
 
 You guys are terrific, as always.
 
 Off to catch the ferry to Victoria,
 

jstaddwtr

#10
Oct 09, 2003, 04:53 PM
 madroneLet me add one more..............
 
 We find this to be particularly true with E-150 s or anything where the ball sits low (especially when TV is loaded).  We find there is play in the ball stem, not sure if that is what it is called, (the part that goes into the square hole....).  
 
 We were on a long trip and tried everything (including placing blocks under the rear wheels to lift the rear end higher) until we realized there was lateral play in the stem (jsut slightly but play enough to prevent the ball from pushing back on the trailer hitch enough to lock!    By placing a piece of wood or block under the stem it lifts the ball just high enough and prevents the weight of the ball from pushing it down as it is trying to couple.  Then by nudging the vehicle forward the block releases.  We had to do this at the Poconos just 2 weeks ago!
 
 We do t always have this problem but once in a awhile because of load and terrain and other stuff, it happens and this helps.[:)][:)][:)]
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