Coupler latch when to replace?

[LI Pets]

How can I check the condition of the latch that locks the coupler to the ball for wear?

Where or what brand does Airstream use(Atwood?), where to buy repair kits

[Mikethefixit]

I just checked Bob, mine is a MARVEL 2/ 5/16 Rated at 30k lbs.MFGR date of 76. Mine is tight yet. I haven't looked at the Service manual to see what coupler it actully calls for. I would assume(and I should not) that if you give the factory your serial number,you maybe able to get the repair kit from the factory or I'd bet ANDY has it or Vintage or Out of Doors Mart.
Roger

[HowieE]

Hi Bob

I did not have to check mine. It told me 3 weeks ago when we went to hook up to come home. The couple would not drop down on the ball for Braith and when I went to do it I raised the coupler a bit and pieces fell out. The top of the cup hard broken off.

To check before this happens again I will get down and look up into the coupler. While it will be very hard to determine the remaining thickness of the material there may be indications of initial cracking.

Took about 4 hours to grind the old one off and 20 mins. to weld the new one on.

The cut up the side of the old one is not a failure but a cut to remove one of the welds.

Yes it is an Atwood. Got mine from Redneck trailer supply $56.00. Redneck # 64-4102

[HowieE]

Atwood and Marvel are one and the same now.

[LI Pets]

Howie,

Surprised it took you that long to grind it off!!!

Why didn't you just change the latch?

My cup is fine I think, just thinking that a new latch may be worth it after 32 years.

How do you check it for wear?

[HowieE]

Close to 25 ins. of thick weld.

Short of the actual tongue falling off I don't think the latch would be a problem. The tongue is the piece that slide down in behind the lower part of the ball. I use a D clip through the latch. With that in place the latch can't lift

My problem was the top of the cup that rests on the ball started to brake up.

[Inland RV Center, In]

There is no set time to replace the coupler lock.

Some owners lube, some do not.

Some owners travel a lot, many do not.

Replacement is based on wear.

Not lubing the ball, would cause the coupler lock tongue, to rapidly wear, requiring an early replacement.

Lubing the ball, and having many miles on the coupler, is a different story.

Most times, severely worn coupler locks, show little if ever lubing.

If the trailer is in the hands of a second owner, then replacing the coupler lock, would be a very wise move, since that owner would have no idea of previous PM, if any.

Andy