Hitch Ball

[4taxabel]

I feel very stupid bringing this up but if it happened to me well who knows. I noticed a front and back slop issue when pulling my trailer from storage to home. I unhooked the trailer and when I put the ball cover on, noticed that the ball was very loose. I would say the Nut was half way down the shank. Disaster diverted. Never had I had one come loose but thought I would share....

[rmkrum]

Time to buy that huge box-end wrench to jump up and down on to get they puppy tight again...

Glad you managed to get lucky this time!!

[Overloaded]

Most people don't have the means to properly torque the ball to 450 lbs. Find a good RV center or truck shop to torque ball. You drill and pin as a fail safe.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Overloaded

Most people don't have the means to properly torque the ball to 450 lbs. Find a good RV center or truck shop to torque ball. You drill and pin as a fail safe.

Hi

..... which *might* be why it came loose in the first place ....The key part of the recommendation being a *good* RV center or truck shop.

I'd also take a look at the threads on the ball shank. They may have been mucked up running along loose. It's not common, but it can happen. Replacing the ball is cheap compared to going through this again ....

Bob

[Overloaded]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

..... which *might* be why it came loose in the first place ....The key part of the recommendation being a *good* RV center or truck shop.

I'd also take a look at the threads on the ball shank. They may have been mucked up running along loose. It's not common, but it can happen. Replacing the ball is cheap compared to going through this again ....

Bob

I would agree with replacing ball. Just cheap insurance. I have had a broken ball on landscaping trailer.

[Tiffin]

My question is the breakaway cable when it is removed , the batteries drain down completely dead. This what dealer told me. I would like to here from anybody on this matter. Tks

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Tiffin

My question is the breakaway cable when it is removed , the batteries drain down completely dead. This what dealer told me. I would like to here from anybody on this matter. Tks

What would you like to hear?
When the cable is pulled out of the switch, the batteries will apply full voltage to the brakes until they are dead. Not sure what else there is to say.

[bganso]

Originally Posted by overlander63

What would you like to hear?
When the cable is pulled out of the switch, the batteries will apply full voltage to the brakes until they are dead. Not sure what else there is to say.

If the umbilical pulls free from the TV will the house batteries provide voltage to the brakes?

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by Tiffin

My question is the breakaway cable when it is removed , the batteries drain down completely dead. This what dealer told me. I would like to here from anybody on this matter. Tks

True. My dealer warned me to never store the trailer with the cable pulled out of the switch. It applies full brakes and drains your batteries in minutes.
He suggested hooking up this way.
1. Remove the breakaway cable and make a loop through the opening where the safety chains connect. Stick the plastic key through the eye of the cable and tighten.
2. Make a very loose loop in the breakaway cable. This stops the extra length from dragging on the ground.
3. Plug the plastic key back into the breakaway switch.

Originally Posted by 4taxabel

noticed that the ball was very loose. I would say the Nut was half way down the shank.

I think I'd replace the ball since the hitch rode on the threads for a while.
I took a ball off once and it takes some effort. I bought a 1 1/2" socket to fit my 28" breaker bar. Then added a 3' piece of pipe to that and pried until the breaker bar was bending 10 degrees. Finally, the nut creaked a tiny bit, but it was victory.
Try this. Take the hitch and turn it 90 degrees in the receiver. That way your motion is vertical, not horizontal.
Trying to pull a lever 1' off the ground is awkward and I felt like if something slipped, I'd go sprawling. Just be careful when the nut lets go you don't bash the back of your vehicle with the pipe.

[HiJoeSilver]

Originally Posted by bganso

If the umbilical pulls free from the TV will the house batteries provide voltage to the brakes?

Yes, they are supposed to, eliminates the need for a separate emergency brake battery.

Don't pull the breakaway and leave it pulled intentionally for more than 15-20 seconds. It causes max current to the brakes which can cause damage if left engaged for longer periods.

The breakaway cable gets disconnected on the tow vehicle end. The switch end should remain in unless conducting brief testing.

[Adventure.AS]

Originally Posted by bganso

If the umbilical pulls free from the TV will the house batteries provide voltage to the brakes?

If you are talking about the seven-pin umbilical cord, then no the house battery will not provide any braking to the trailer when you apply the TV brakes.

[james.mileur]

Originally Posted by bganso

If the umbilical pulls free from the TV will the house batteries provide voltage to the brakes?

If your 7 pin umbilical pulls free, your TT has no running lights, no brake signal from TV, no recharging from TV. If the steel braided breakaway brake cable pulls the plunger out of the switch, the TT house batteries apply full voltage to the TT brakes, until house batteries are dead. If the TT was rolling, it should stop rolling. If parked, you may not hear or notice anything, until you turn on or try to use something 12v dc, like tongue jack.

You should periodically pull and lubricate the plunger, owners manual, but reinstall immediately. A quick drain of your battery like that can chop half it's capacity off, or more, forever.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Tiffin

My question is the breakaway cable when it is removed , the batteries drain down completely dead. This what dealer told me. I would like to here from anybody on this matter. Tks

Hi

Yes, whenever the breakaway cable (as opposed to the umbilical which is a different cable) is pulled out of it's socket, the trailer batteries go full on to the breaks. Draining the battery is a minor problem in this case. Burning out the magnets on the brake drums is the bigger issue. They are not designed to be "full on" for a long time. There is no really quick way to work out that some of the magnets are toast. You are in for a bit of work to check them out if this happens.

Bob

[HiJoeSilver]

Originally Posted by HiJoeSilver

Yes, they are supposed to, eliminates the need for a separate emergency brake battery.

Don't pull the breakaway and leave it pulled intentionally for more than 15-20 seconds. It causes max current to the brakes which can cause damage if left engaged for longer periods.

The breakaway cable gets disconnected on the tow vehicle end. The switch end should remain in unless conducting brief testing.

I worded this poorly, should have clarified if the break away cable pulls away it will. Not the normal 7 pin by itself.

[james.mileur]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

You are in for a bit of work to check them out if this happens.

Bob

Just happen to have checked all four of mine last Saturday. In this picture, the magnet, lower center, was pulled far enough forward to latch up the rear brake shoe. 1-7/16" nut or 36mm in a pinch and big-o torque wrench. The magnets look bad, but were flat and just discolored. Attachment 295729

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by james.mileur

Just happen to have checked all four of mine last Saturday. In this picture, the magnet, lower center, was pulled far enough forward to latch up the rear brake shoe. 1-7/16" nut or 36mm in a pinch and big-o torque wrench. The magnets look bad, but were flat and just discolored. Attachment 295729Attachment 295730

Hi

If you leave the disconnect plug out to the "flat battery" point, you will need to unwire each of the magnets and check their resistance. Next step would be to put 12V on them and check for proper operation. As you have nicely shown, those checks also need to be followed up by a visual inspection ...

Lots of fun ...

Bob

[james.mileur]

Well, this picture was there when I posted the first time.