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joelyn's avatar
joelyn
Explorer
Dec 29, 2017

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

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



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40 Replies

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  • eHoefler's avatar
    eHoefler
    Explorer II
    Dec 29, 2017
    Raise the lever and pull/slide it to the rear. You may have to place a jack under the hitch to remove the weight from the catch pawl.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Dec 29, 2017
    It's hard to see what type of coupler you have but the 'wedge'/'latch'/'under jaw on underside is still tight against ball.

    That wedge/latch/under jaw has to release (down or back) in order for ball to come out of coupler






  • nineoaks2004's avatar
    nineoaks2004
    Explorer
    Dec 29, 2017
    Mine does that once in a while, I found that if I chock the wheels in the rear then back up a hair it will force the hitch lock back and will then release from the truck. Drove me crazy the first time until I calmed down and thought the situation over and then did as I just said. Good luck and Happy Camping
  • joelyn's avatar
    joelyn
    Explorer
    Dec 29, 2017
    jim1521 wrote:
    Look at his pic. The hitch is disconnected from the truck, so rocking the truck back and forth won't do squat. Do what Itchey Feet is suggesting. Disconnect/loosen anything attached to it. WATCH YOUR FINGERS AND TOES. A rubber mallet might also be your friend.

    Can you move the shank at all, or is it totally frozen?



    yes I can rotate the hitch left to right with no problem it just will not release the ball
  • joelyn's avatar
    joelyn
    Explorer
    Dec 29, 2017
    cyntdon2010 wrote:
    Jump up and down on the bumper. its NOt ROCKET SCIENCE. gEEZ

    IT'LL POP LOOSE


    jumped up and down on it kicked it, jumped some more, shook left to right and jumped some more up and down for almost a hour. and this is what I what I was left with... so I don't think thats the answer
  • jim1521's avatar
    jim1521
    Explorer
    Dec 29, 2017
    Look at his pic. The hitch is disconnected from the truck, so rocking the truck back and forth won't do squat. Do what Itchey Feet is suggesting. Disconnect/loosen anything attached to it. WATCH YOUR FINGERS AND TOES. A rubber mallet might also be your friend.

    Can you move the shank at all, or is it totally frozen?
  • cyntdon2010's avatar
    cyntdon2010
    Explorer
    Dec 29, 2017
    Jump up and down on the bumper. its NOt ROCKET SCIENCE. gEEZ

    IT'LL POP LOOSE
  • Itchey_Feet's avatar
    Itchey_Feet
    Explorer
    Dec 29, 2017
    Look @ hitch release lever, after it is flipped up it then needs to drop down. If it has dropped down then the wedge it pulls up on the back side of the ball is bound up. Sometime it is adjusted too tight. Back off the nut from underneath and it should come down but be careful as the hitch will drop and mash anything under it. JMHO
  • guidry's avatar
    guidry
    Explorer II
    Dec 29, 2017
    Trailer tires chocked good? Truck in neutral (make sure not on a Hill)? And use the jack to lift it off. If it doesn’t come off then you probably have a problem with the hitch.
  • jmtandem's avatar
    jmtandem
    Explorer II
    Dec 29, 2017
    The hitch is binding. Drive forward and backward a half inch and you should feel it release. Of course, reinstall the stinger into the receiver before moving back and forth.

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