HITCH WON'T RELEASE...UPDATE UPDATE..........

Did you use Lucas Red N Tacky #2? That's some sticky stuff

take a gander at old biscuit's pics and then apply itchy feet's advice.

In addition to using grease on the ball, oil the moving parts in the latch. If the parts are worn or rusted, you might be able to repair the coupler. Parts

The ultimate solution to this struggle is to have your local trailer shop change out the coupler to a side latch style.
This is what my horse trailer has on it, very common on horse/stock/construction trailers

https://www.etrailer.com/A-Frame-Trailer-Coupler/Bulldog/BD028499.html

Side latch? That's a Bulldog latch, best one made, but takes a hammer to operate.

Ozlander wrote:
Side latch? That's a Bulldog latch, best one made, but takes a hammer to operate.

Well, Bulldog is a brand, but I hear you. I think sleeve-lock, or collar lock is the correct term for the style.

Hammer ? I've had three trailers with this style latch, and never had to use a hammer to open or close one, so I'm not sure what you are referring to ?

What I am saying is, they easily latch and unlatch.

Loosen the adjusting nut, and then take a very large flat head screwdriver and pry between the wedge and ball. Easy Peasy!!!

I currently have an older trailer with a sticky coupling. Soemtimes I have to take a screwdriver and tap the underjaw to free it up.

joelyn wrote:
OK got back from a short trip and went to unhook the trailer and I cannot get the hitch to release from the ball. I have had problems with another trailer but after bouncing and kicking it it would eventually release. This time I greased the ball and under the hitch before hooking up, drove home and would not release for nothing. just had to pull the pin and drive the truck away to disconnect, but as u can see the hitch ball still will not come out.
The hitch is a EQUILIZER SWAY CONTROL BRAND, IF THAT HELPS. PICTURE IS A LITTLE DISTORTED, WILL TRY TO REPOST IF IT WOULD HELP FIND A SOLUTION.

WHATS MY PROBLEM if anyone knows??????
thanks

It would really help if we could see the rest of the ball coupler so we can tell the brand and style. From what little I can see, it could be a Shelby coupler or a Fulton and the latch inside is very different between the two.

I know this may be a silly question, but just asking. Is this the first few times you are using this trailer with the latch issues? Don't know if you had it for years or just acquired it. The reason I'm asking is how the latch works. My porior TT tricked me big time on how that latched worked, could not get it uncoupled for nothing. Once I figured it out, I can open it with one finger....

OK, may have found out my problem. Won't know for sure until our next trip.
Feel kind of foolish if this was the problem my whole time but maybe it will help someone else that might not know.
I went out with a screw driver as ppine and htelecric stated and i propped up the hitch and went underneath the ball and stuck the screw driver up there and wiggled it around. Well 2 things happened, one the ball dropped right out and 2 as i wiggled the driver i noticed that the handle on top moved also. well to my surprise I found out that once I lift that handle to disconnect I ALSO HAVE TO PUSH IT BACKWARDS WHICH RELEASES THE LATCH UNDERNEATH, (DUUUUHHHH) I NEVER KNEW THAT AND I WAS JUST PULLING THE HANDLE UP THINKING THAT THAT WAS RELEASING THE LATCH UNDERNEATH.
so I also tried it on my other trailer that would never release and that one also just slid back and released the latch.
So I feel kind of dumb but never towed a trailer and never really knew the proper hooking up. So for anyone out there that might have the same problem and has the same hitch that I do, u might try pushing that handle back once lifting it and hopefully will solve the problem.
Thank you all for help and suggestions and hopefully my problem will be solved.
thanks again.

Below is a picture of the hitch with a arrow pointing to the latch I am talking about...