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07-25-2011, 09:09 PM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
2000 23' Safari
Vero Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 180
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Can't hitch up
Help please! Stuck in campground because I can't hitch up. When I lower the trailer tongue onto the ball the coupler won't go down. It appears as if the latch inside the coupler won't retract far enough to allow the ball to slide past. Has anyone had any experience with this? What happens if I take the roll pin out of the top latch (to investigate)? Will springs go flying? The inside latch does retract up when the outside latch is opened. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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07-25-2011, 09:23 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill
, Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
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It sounds like the latch pawl is jammed inside the trailer coupler. Try raising the tongue up and snapping the lock mechanism up and down a few times. Then check to see if the latch pawl is up when it is locked. Unlock it if it is; then pull the TV slightly forward and lower the hitch back down. You may be just a little too far back with the TV and you are jamming the pawl as you lower the hitch.
I am assuming you towed the trailer to this campground with the same TV. But I'll ask the question anyway.
Is the ball the right size for the hitch on the trailer?
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07-25-2011, 09:24 PM
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#3
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3 Rivet Member
1958 17' Pacer
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Tryon
, North Carolina
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 218
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Can u take a photo of the underside of the hitch? The piece inside should go down and open up to go over the ball?
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07-25-2011, 10:37 PM
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#4
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3 Rivet Member
2007 25' Safari FB SE
Eureka Springs
, Arkansas
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 177
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That's a common problem on my flat bed trailer that only gets used occasionally. Remedy is ample squirts of WD40 and tapping on the latch (don't know proper term) to make sure it releases so the ball can slide past.
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07-26-2011, 12:18 AM
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#5
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Liberator
1972 Argosy 24
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Heart of Dixie
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,659
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Don't stick your fingers up in there, unless it is away from the ball.
This happens easy if the trailer is too far forward when lowering.
Raise it back up, bang on it, look for the latch to stand up tall, and test by closing latch a few times before lowering.
Sometimes is best to lower hitch onto ball at front edge of hitch, then let it fall onto ball by backing up some more, or bumping hitch to fall on ball.
Don't raise stand all the way, in case you miss ball.
__________________
Your opinion is valued, please not your opinion of someones else's opinion.
Click To See Me Wet
1989 Airstream 345 Liberator...
1972 Argosy 24'...
1954 Feathercraft Vagabond
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07-26-2011, 12:39 AM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member
2000 23' Safari
Vero Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 180
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Yes, it is the same TV and the ball size has not changed. Is there anything up inside the coupler that might have bent? I know it sounds like a simple issue but I have tried all of the above. I don't have the capability to take a picture. Thanks for your help! Anybody know of a repair shop near Mandeville, LA?
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07-26-2011, 01:54 AM
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#7
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3 Rivet Member
1958 17' Pacer
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Tryon
, North Carolina
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 218
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Look at this thread Says lube it, work it At the end there is a break down of the coupling parts so you can see how it comes apart.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f464...sue-78077.html
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07-26-2011, 03:15 PM
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#8
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3 Rivet Member
2000 23' Safari
Vero Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 180
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It was a dark and stormy night........which is my excuse for being an idiot! When I went out to look at the coupler in the daylight (still raining) I noticed that my sway bar had swung down and was digging into the ground not allowing the tongue to come down! There was nothing wrong with the coupler. I admit to this because it might happen to someone else! To everybody who provided assistance I say thank you. Sorry I took your time.
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07-26-2011, 03:37 PM
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#9
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4 Rivet Member
2007 27' Safari FB SE
LONDON
, ON
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 276
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Glad to hear you got it figured out.
I had the same experience as the other posters...if the truck is too far back then it will not allow the lever to lock down. As they said, always try to have the hitch ball almost fully back enough to be right under the tongue. If you are too far under the tongue it will jam when you try to close it.
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07-26-2011, 03:42 PM
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#10
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3 Rivet Member
1958 17' Pacer
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Tryon
, North Carolina
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 218
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Great. You must of been near me. I was awake watching the radar because it was storming. Beech day cancelled today, shopping for the gurls!
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07-26-2011, 03:52 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Corpus Christi
, Texas
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 869
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mhilley
It was a dark and stormy night........which is my excuse for being an idiot! When I went out to look at the coupler in the daylight (still raining) I noticed that my sway bar had swung down and was digging into the ground not allowing the tongue to come down! There was nothing wrong with the coupler. I admit to this because it might happen to someone else! To everybody who provided assistance I say thank you. Sorry I took your time.
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Ahhhhh Mhilley...I too have had to fess up on the forums to a sad but true momentary relapse of common sense. But at least on here, no one gets mad at you for "wasting their time". It is all fun, and we all learn from it. The Silver lining?? Well, It all started to make sense and ultimately did not require a trip to a repair shop. $$$$$ saved!
__________________
Chuck & Skye
Rock and Roll Will Never Die!
WBCCI 3805
AIR 54011 Since July 2011
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07-26-2011, 03:57 PM
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#12
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4 Rivet Member
1973 Argosy 26
1966 30' Sovereign
Currently Looking...
Southern
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 273
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Good to know about checking things you may not think of...especially in the dark and rain. Many times I have lowered a trailer and not had the pawl fully engage...usually just slipping my TV into a forward gear for a second will get it to "pop"...trailers definately tend to creep forward when lowered..
__________________
All that is gold does not always glitter...those who wander not always are lost....
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