Reese Hitch 30160 operating handle, looking for alternative

I have a 30142 Reese Elite hitch. I turned the handle upside down and it works just fine. That might work if your handle is the same design.

korbe wrote:
When I hitch up, I watch the handle pop back to let me know the claws have closed. For that reason, I prefer the handle in the up position.

+1

One of the things I like about the Reese. I can watch the lever travel out as the pin forces the jaws open, and watch it snap back as the jaws close.

I can still see that easily in my rearview mirror, with the handle modified.

Yep hack off the handle for more than one reason.

When I hitch up, I watch the handle pop back to let me know the claws have closed. For that reason, I prefer the handle in the up position.

Don't forget that some people have also reported hitting the latch handle with the pin box in a tight turn. =That's= scary, IMO.

Lyle

Many of us have dealt with this issue. The standard Reese release handle is far longer and taller than it needs to be. So we modify it. I cut mine and drilled a new hole for the cotter. Others have rebent the handle. I don't believe anything is available off the shelf. Something you have to do yourself.

Here is a not very good pic of mine. I shortened the tube and rotated the handle downward. Redrilled for the cotter. This handle will still touch my Retrax cover if the hitch head tilts fully to the right when unhitched. I use a bungee to keep it tilted to the left. Keeps it from banging around too.

I think I have the same hitch, and at it's lowest position, the handle still pokes at my roll up cover. I had to replace the tiny cotter pin as it broke. If that is what you have, maybe replace the cotter pin with something quick so you can remove the handle when you want to close the cover. I am replacing my Reese with an Andersen Ultimate hitch and won't have to worry about it anymore.