Hitch binding up trouble
We've towed our many different rigs over the years, without issues. This past weekend we ran into our first problem and I'm wondering if anyone else has ever experienced this. We towed...no problem...
Forum Discussion
Maybe a visual of how a coupler and latch works...
Here is an old thread with diagrams showing how a coupler works...
Boiled down...a coupler has a dome with a 'return' on the leading edge's bottom
edge
That leading lower edge 'holds' the ball inside the coupler and the latch holds
the ball forward...in side of the dome with the lower edge (below the
equator of the hemisphere) so the opening at that point is SMALLER
than the diameter of the ball...
To have the ball come out...the latch must be loosened to allow the ball to move
backwards
If it does not come out, it is either still stuck via suction and/or it is still
in the front of the dome...that the latch is not moving backwards far
enough (worn or improperly adjusted latch assembly)
To allow the ball to move back out of that captive dome section, the
ball has a flat spot milled on top. So it will clear the top portion
of the dome that comes 'down' to help capture the ball
Why backing up does the trick on most situations...it moves the ball out from the
front of the coupler dome...
rv.net/forum WDH Hitch Ball Angle Issue
Most common coupler latches
Another type of coupler latch
{edit}...Note that if you have an Anderson WD Hitch system...it wears
out the coupler latch assembly. That Anderson warns a certain type
of latch assembly for use with their WD Hitch system
Here is an old thread with diagrams showing how a coupler works...
Boiled down...a coupler has a dome with a 'return' on the leading edge's bottom
edge
That leading lower edge 'holds' the ball inside the coupler and the latch holds
the ball forward...in side of the dome with the lower edge (below the
equator of the hemisphere) so the opening at that point is SMALLER
than the diameter of the ball...
To have the ball come out...the latch must be loosened to allow the ball to move
backwards
If it does not come out, it is either still stuck via suction and/or it is still
in the front of the dome...that the latch is not moving backwards far
enough (worn or improperly adjusted latch assembly)
To allow the ball to move back out of that captive dome section, the
ball has a flat spot milled on top. So it will clear the top portion
of the dome that comes 'down' to help capture the ball
Why backing up does the trick on most situations...it moves the ball out from the
front of the coupler dome...
rv.net/forum WDH Hitch Ball Angle Issue
Most common coupler latches
Another type of coupler latch
{edit}...Note that if you have an Anderson WD Hitch system...it wears
out the coupler latch assembly. That Anderson warns a certain type
of latch assembly for use with their WD Hitch system
