A question about my hitch coupler

[wagondude]

You might want to double check that you are using the right size ball. The problem you are having sounds like a 1 7/8" coupler on a 2" ball type of problem. The correct ball size is stamped on the coupler. May not be your problem, but it would be good to double check.

[Redneck Teepee]

You might want to double check that you are using the right size ball. The problem you are having sounds like a 1 7/8" coupler on a 2" ball type of problem. The correct ball size is stamped on the coupler. May not be your problem, but it would be good to double check.

I'll second that...could also be that the trailer has been jackknifed and bent the coupler.

[bobhenry]

[quote="Redneck Teepee]

could also be that the trailer has been jackknifed and bent the coupler.[/quote]

That is probably the best answer. I had an old pickup bed trailer and the coupler was twisted. I finally got fed up using a lug wrench to pry it off the ball so I jack knifed the trailer the opposite way and bent it back correct and the trouble was gone.

Let us know what you find !

[minstrel]

So today I took my TD in to get the BullDog coupler welded on and found out that the arm of my little TD is too tiny. The casing of the BullDog is too wide! Now what?! So I at least took the TD to an open (large!) parking lot and practiced backing up. I am bloody awful!!! Was getting a headache after an hour of that so went home and (I did manage to back into the garage!) tried unlocking the hitch while the trailer was in the drive on the same incline plane as the car. THEN finished backing into the garage a couple of feet and RATS!!-- still did not work. So my son is coming once more to jimmy the locking device off of the ball so I can close my garage....a bit frustrating! I'll be fine at a campground...but just can't get it back home and parked! Will be taking my first trip in a couple of weeks to Dead Horse Ranch in Cottonwood,AZ. Just a short and quick trip to try things out.....But maybe I'll have to travel forever because I can't park my little in my own garage...
Liz

[warnmar10]

... I am bloody awful!!! ...
Liz

Here, take my advice, I'm not using it.

Face forward and use the mirrors to back.

Place one hand at the bottom of the steering wheel. While backing, the back of the trailer will go in the direction of the hand at the bottom of the steering wheel.

Want the back of the trailer to move to the right? Move the hand at the bottom of the steering wheel to the right.
Want the back of the trailer to go left? Move the bottom hand to the left.

Practice practice practice.

[DrCrash]

I had the same problem with my bull dog being welded on.
Welder #1 said nope its to wide and it is junk.
Weder #2 put a 3/8 inch shim on both sides to take up the space and welded the whole thing 6 years and roughly 18,000 miles ago. Take it to another shop it can be done. And done safly

[minstrel]

I'm working on the backing thing...! and used my mirrors a lot and tried the hand at the bottom......But I think last advice is best -- Practice Practice Practice!!!
And Dr.Crash....I may look into another shop. Thanks!
Liz

[Jiminsav]

i hate to be a party pooper, but your not going to be happy with a bulldog..just a little dirt and they are a pain to open..as for unhooking on a hill, chock the teardrop wheels, put your foot on the brake, put trans in neutral, and ease the car forward just enough to take the strain off the hitch..don't drive forward, your putting stress on the other side of the ball then. just EASE the car forward..then apply your parking brake so it don't move forward again when you put it in park.

[KennethW]

Has anyone used the Lock 'N' Roll system? Would it be easier to hitch up?
I would think that it would also be theft resistant in that you would need a Lock 'N' Roll receiver to hitch up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doGGK-DBrzw

https://locknroll.com/

[Vedette]

Okay Great Video!
But Very Poor Sales Pitch!!!!!
Where do I get one?
How much are they???
Do I buy them Direct??
Are there Dealers???
Which RV Franchises will they be sold at???
Are they on ebay???

????????????????????
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[dales133]

http://mchitch.com.au/ these are a brilliant hitch, little pricey but I bet they've saved a few marrages

[Vedette]

Wow! I have never seen anyone steal a trailer that fast?
But someone has to get out and hook up the safety chains and the trailer lights????
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[dales133]

Wow! I have never seen anyone steal a trailer that fast?
But someone has to get out and hook up the safety chains and the trailer lights????
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

Yea but the hard parts doe and far easier on your own.
Plus as you know thieves are cheap bastards and unless they stole the corresponding part for the car they, d steal your neighbors instead

[bentrotor]

Back to your original post - your driveway is sloped and the garage floor is level and the hitch binds. Have you tried to uncouple the trailer on level ground? If the trailer uncouples on level ground, the hitch and ball is not the problem. If they do not separate easily there is another problem with the hitch or the ball. Fix that problem or go on to step 2, the problem is the slope of your drive vs the garage floor and the angle is great enough the hitch is put in to a bind as previously stated in an earlier post. Ruling out changing the slope of the drive or garage do to cost, you are probably left with pulling the hitch pin and leaving the ball attached to the trailer, put blocks in front of the wheels, pulling your tow vehicle forward, then disconnecting the ball from the trailer and putting it back in the tow vehicle (as was also mentioned in an earlier post). I think the first thing we need to know if the ball and coupler separate easily on level ground before any of us might be able to help eliminate your problem.

[Vedette]

Don't try to lift the trailer off the ball by hand......use your trailer jack. If the hitch binds enough to lift the whole car than you need to grease the ball or get a smaller one. Most TD's have a 1 7/8" hitch....thus you should have a 1 7/8" ball.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi