W/D hitch: un-hitching and hitching

[TennisMan]

Hey, random thought as I get used to hitching/un-hitching my Blue Ox weight distribution hitch from my truck.

Is it feasible to simply set the weight of the trailer on the tongue jack, release the pin/clip from the receiver part of the hitch and pull the truck forward, which will leave the hitch head, ball, spring bars, etc. all still connected? To re-hitch, simply back up the truck to the hitch mount (yeah, I know that is not easy to do), and re-connect pin/clip and all is good.

Is this viable or not? If so, is there any undue stress placed on components when they're un-hitched from truck and "hanging" on the trailer?

Thanx, Lance

[overlander63]

I've seen people do it, so it can be done.

[CanoeStream]

Originally Posted by overlander63

I've seen people do it, so it can be done.

With the spring bars engaged?! Stating ignorance of Blue Ox, if the tow vehicle pulled away I'd think the hitch bar front (part in the receiver) would snap down as soon as it cleared the receiver. Terry, did the tongue jack take a beating? Now... would it be more possible with the spring bars slackened?

And hitching up again ... wait -- already said.

[Excella CM]

You would need to release the weight distribution bars first. But anyhow, trying to get the hitch back into the receiver later will take all the fun out of it. One great advantage is in case of fire. Just pull the pin and scoot out of the way.

[Relentless]

I have a heck of a time manually sliding the hitch into the receiver so that the holes for the pin are perfectly lined up to take the pin. I have to wiggle and curse before it happens. Good luck on trying to back it in and stopping at just the right place.

[Excella CM]

One thing you can do to make the alignment of the hitch into the receiver easier is to get it into place with the pin in and then drill a 1/4" hole into the hitch bar directly in front of the mouth of the receiver. Install a rollpin into this hole and you will have a positive stop that automatically aligns the hitch. If you use only one TV , you can weld a tab on the hitch bar to do the same thing.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by CanoeStream

With the spring bars engaged?! Stating ignorance of Blue Ox, if the tow vehicle pulled away I'd think the hitch bar front (part in the receiver) would snap down as soon as it cleared the receiver. Terry, did the tongue jack take a beating? Now... would it be more possible with the spring bars slackened?

And hitching up again ... wait -- already said.

Yes, it was eventful. And I was not around to see them hitch back up. But, it was done, just by "pulling the pin", and driving out from under it.