This problem just started on our old TT and on our new TT as well. When lifting the trailer to release the ball from the hitch it does not come off easily. The ball stays in the hitch until the weight of the truck being lifted pops the ball out causing the trailer to jump and move. Sometimes I even have to jump on the back truck pumper to release the ball also resulting in the trailer to jump. Any help or suggestions in solving this dangerous unhitching problem will be appreciated. Thanks

Recently Discussed HEREShould be helpful for you.

If you don't bother checking the link that thomasmnile posted check these steps in order..1 Chalk the trailer wheels (both sides and one chalk in front and one chalk behind).2 Release and remove WD bars3 Release hitch lock4 Drop tongue jack and start lifting the tongue.5 Depending on slope you may need to backup slightly or pull forward slightly to allow the hitch ball to center in the hitch.6 once the ball is no longer touching the front or back of hitch you should now be able to continue raising the tongue and the ball will drop out of the hitch with ease.7 Pull vehicle forward then lower hitch until level.Following the steps above, I rarely ever have any issues getting the ball out of the hitch..The trick is to relieve any binding that may be happening and the only way that is possible is to allow some slack between the ball and hitch.If that fails, then try lifting the tongue ever so slightly, only enough to take the tongue weight off the vehicle..Then pull out the hitch pin from the receiver, if you cannot pull the hitch pin out, you ARE binding the ball in the tongue (making darn sure the chalks are in place, WD disconnected and the hitch ball lock has been unlocked).IF you cannot pull out the hitch pin you need to allow the vehicle to move slightly forward or reverse.Once you have some slack then pull the vehicle forward enough to allow the hitch to pull out of the receiver.. I would bet the moment the hitch falls out of the receiver it WILL hit the ground all by its' self..

About 60 years ago I discovered some magic stuff that greatly reduces the binding on metal to metal contacts of all kinds. That would be the first thing I would try.

Sounds about normal to me. Do you use any greases on your hitch?

Difficulty getting the tow ball to release from hitch

noteven
Explorer III
Aug 22, 2019
On my singly I land the jack, remove the WD bars, and drop the rear air suspension.

On my dually same as above but don’t use WD.
troubledwaters
Explorer III
Aug 21, 2019
Folks - The OP hasn't been back in a week, I'm guessing he's moved on.
AlwaysOnTheRoad
Explorer
Aug 21, 2019
I had this issue until I learned to disconnect both of my WDH bars before decoupling.
trailer_newbe
Explorer III
Aug 21, 2019
Simple solution that works 100% of the time. Leave one of your WDH bars connected to the hitch but DISCONNECTED from the trailer. Use the bar as leverage to shake the hitch back and fourth using your arm to rock it. As you raise the hitch it will slide off.
rbpru
Explorer II
Aug 20, 2019
Over time I have read and tried several suggestions.

About the best I found is to jack up the TT until the ball is lifting the bumper few inches, then I undo the WD hitch bars and let the ball drop.

If it does not drop then I jump on the bumper like everyone else.

By the way, around here, we spell it chock and pronounce it "chack". ;)
Varmintmist
Explorer
Aug 20, 2019
JRscooby wrote:
About 60 years ago I discovered some magic stuff that greatly reduces the binding on metal to metal contacts of all kinds. That would be the first thing I would try.

Always grease your balls.
JRscooby
Explorer II
Aug 18, 2019
CavemanCharlie wrote:
If there is pressure on it either sideways or fore and aft then I have to jump on the bumper of my pickup to get it to release.

Another place to think about the 2nd reply

JRscooby wrote:
About 60 years ago I discovered some magic stuff that greatly reduces the binding on metal to metal contacts of all kinds. That would be the first thing I would try.
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Aug 18, 2019
If there is pressure on it either sideways or fore and aft then I have to jump on the bumper of my pickup to get it to release.
JRscooby
Explorer II
Aug 18, 2019
noteven wrote:

Yup.

But they are usually used on vehicles and trailers that don’t need weight redistribution or sway control.

You would have to build a WD hitch with a flat plate to bolt the hook to. Then modify the trailer to attach the round eye. You could put some rubber “chucking absorbers” in while you are at it.

I have towed millions of miles on the eye. And your hook-up procedure is pretty close. When paving, I would set the foot of jack on very back edge of block. Bump the tongue, block kicks out, eye drops. Of course, if off a little I would need help to lift the tongue, get jack back on block.
But eye on pintle, or coupler on ball, the time consuming part is the bars.
noteven
Explorer III
Aug 17, 2019
JRscooby wrote:
noteven wrote:
caver wrote:
One I see frequently on the craigslist is various spellings of pindel, pendel etc hitch vs the proper spelling pintel hitch.

Or is it a “pintle hook” ?

Anyhoo it’s the Best one ever - back in, smash into the trailer, wind the jack down, close the hook, pin it,done.

Wish all heavy trailers had them..,

Would it work with WDH? Or sway control?

Yup.

But they are usually used on vehicles and trailers that don’t need weight redistribution or sway control.

You would have to build a WD hitch with a flat plate to bolt the hook to. Then modify the trailer to attach the round eye. You could put some rubber “chucking absorbers” in while you are at it.