Community Forums

jsteinberg48 · 07-07-2013, 06:22 PM

I dropped my trailer on top of the ball and it appears centered and fully lowered. For the life of me I can't engage the locking mechanism on top of the trailer that goes over the ball. If I lift it up, about 15 degrees and try to slide it in and down, it just won't.

Any ideas. I have to travel out of this campground in 4 days. I will see if they have an RV mechanic.

Thanks, Jeffrey

jesilvas · 07-07-2013, 07:01 PM

You probably need to drop it on the ball, and move the truck forward an inch.
The lock locks at the back of the ball, so if the trailer is too far forward, it just hits the ball, no matter how much you think it's "centered."

jsteinberg48 · 07-07-2013, 07:08 PM

Thanks. Will give that a shot.

Sammie · 07-07-2013, 07:09 PM

Got any WD 40. Spray inside the hitch and work it back and forth to free it up then retry.

Sammie

TXiceman · 07-07-2013, 07:35 PM

The ball latching mechanism, needs to be cleaned and grease periodically.

jsteinberg48 · 07-07-2013, 08:19 PM

Cleaned with what? Thanks for answering the newbie question. Should I use grease or wd40?

WoodLark · 07-07-2013, 08:36 PM

WD40 is not really intended as a lubricant. Use something which lubricates well but does not tend to attract dirt. I like to use motorcycle/bicycle chain lube.

Sammie · 07-07-2013, 10:06 PM

WD 40 will get it freed up so you can use it for now. If your just renting the trailer for now, don't worry so much about lube maintenance.

Sammie

Terry Jay · 07-07-2013, 11:43 PM

Grease the ball. Several of the WD hitch Mfgs offer a special grease, but axle grease will do. Use a paper towel and coat the whole ball to start, may need to re-do it once a month or once a year depending on use. You may also need the grease on any WD components, if you use one. Direct metal to metal contact is not a good idea for prolonging the life of the parts.

jesilvas · 07-08-2013, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry Jay

You may also need the grease on any WD components, if you use one. Direct metal to metal contact is not a good idea for prolonging the life of the parts.

Unless it's a WD hitch with sway control built in. Then it NEEDS metal to metal.

ahicks · 07-08-2013, 05:38 AM

The tow vehicle and trailer are probably pushing against each other. In that case, the coupler is going to bind, no matter how well lubed, but if it's dry that's not helping a thing. As mentioned earlier, try putting the tow vehicle in gear and moving ahead slightly - but don't give it so much gas you pull the post jack off it's block or worse yet, bend it!

jsteinberg48 · 07-08-2013, 06:58 AM

Pulling forward did the the trick. The truck is high so coupled, it was off the blocks.

Thanks, guys.

silverado07 · 07-08-2013, 10:15 AM

U may have the locking flapper wedged up in the tongue .. Make sure it moves freely before u try hooking up. If it is wedged take a screwdriver and put it in the slot at the top of the tongue and tap the screwdriver with a hammer to free it up.

Ray,IN · 07-14-2013, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverado07

U may have the locking flapper wedged up in the tongue .. Make sure it moves freely before u try hooking up. If it is wedged take a screwdriver and put it in the slot at the top of the tongue and tap the screwdriver with a hammer to free it up.

That is what I was thinking while reading the replies. I did that a few times, but once I didn't catch it. Trailer was just resting on ball and when I hit a bump in the road the receiver jumped off the ball, which confirmed the safety chains would hold.