Forum Discussion

leoshats's avatar
leoshats
Explorer
Jul 02, 2017

Pro Pride 1400 hitch - need help

Hello everyone, I need any of your professional experience regarding to use the Pro Pride hitch please. One and half month ago the RV dealer has installed this PP hitch in my brand new trailer. 5 times I've connected w/out any problem and spent about 20-25 min. for each connection, but yesterday was the horrible day for me.I spent about 3 hours ander the sun and the temperature of 95F. Point is that, the main hitch head changed the angle to down (will try to attach photos) and I couldn't to do anything to move the head up. I've adjusted the distribution bars, but everything was the same - the hitch bar stinger couldn't come in. I called to Sean (ProPride), sent a photos and he said "the only thing you'll need to use a bottle jack, get the hitch head up to level and you'll be able to back right in." Finally I have connected, but still DON'T understanding: 1. What happened with my hitch head and how can I fix this problem. As far as I understood this head's adjusting with the lift jack is abnormal and what should I request from dealer to fix this problem?

2. Yoke of my hitch is very flexible, not stable, playing and changing the angle during the connection. What should I do to stabilise the hitch head and not allowed to change angle? 

3. Also hitch head every time change angle from left to right and vice versa as well and not stable in one position (playing). Should I use the distribution bars to handle the hitch head?

4. Should I take the lift jack in each travel!?? It's very heavy unit and extra weight for my truck.
Please help me with your proffesional advice. We are staying now in camping and I didn't disconnect truck from the trailers hitch, since I'm very afraid to get this problems once again. After 4th of July Holiday will go to dealer. I greatly appreciate in advance your help and support. Best regards, Leonid
  • mbutts's avatar
    mbutts
    Explorer
    Jul 02, 2017
    I had a similar trip with my PP with a LOT of trouble getting hitched (and I nearly ran out of swear words). Previously, no trouble at all. The stinger would start to slide in, but get hung up. I'd end up raising the tongue jack and using the PP's hitch wrench to pull the stinger/trailer into the hitch head.

    On the next trip, I just made sure the jacks (on the hitch) were lowered enough so the weight distribution were very loose (would easily swing back and forth). This would allow the hitch head to move easily when the stinger started to slide in.

    Not sure if this method will help in your case, but I'll be crossing my fingers for you.
  • Mortimer_Brewst's avatar
    Mortimer_Brewst
    Explorer II
    Jul 02, 2017
    With the ProPride hitch, a lot of side to side motion when unhitched is normal. You should not have any up and down motion.
    Before you disconnect the trailer from the truck, be sure to lower the jacks so there WD bars have no tension on them. As mentioned, they should swing back and forth. Once you have pulled the pins and swung the cams out, pull forward 2-3 inches. Then use your tongue jack to raise or lower the trailer so there is no weight on the tow vehicle. You can now finish pulling forward.
    It's not always possible but hitching and unhitching will be easier if you can have the tow vehicle lined with trailer, aka back straight in.
    Which hitching up, use 4WD Low if possible. Have the receiver centered or in the same position as when you unhitched. When backing up start checking if you are lined up when you are 4-5 feet away. Back up a foot, get out and check again. It's a pain to get in and out, but the sooner you get lined up the better. Raise or lower the tongue as necessary. Get locked in and then adjust the WD bars.
    The ProPride isn't terribly forgiving when it comes to last second adjustments. Get lined up early!
    If you used it don't forget to take it out of 4WD Low. I would keep a bottle jack as well as a variety of wood blocks for the tongue jack.
    Hope this helps. If possible, please post your pics.
  • noteven's avatar
    noteven
    Explorer III
    Jul 02, 2017
    Edited - my PP weight distribution connection are adjustable metal pieces hooked on vertical jacks on the tongue frame - not ratchet straps. The jacks will hold the swivel unit horizontal....
  • leoshats's avatar
    leoshats
    Explorer
    Jul 02, 2017
    Dear my great colleagues, dear PP users. First of all, I greatly appreciate for your time, support and attention. I haven't see any chance to submit my photos and sent request to webpage moderator as well. Point is that, if I loose the WD bars, the hitch head emidiately moving to the right or left when stinger is starting to slide in, and get hung up. If I took out the Jack-the head tilts down for 2-3 degrees. I could connect to PP only when lift the head with jack and a little bit tight WD bars.
    I thought maybe something happened with heath head?
    I sent all my questions and photos to Sean Woodruff on Friday via email, but he didn't respond. At this point I'm in some confusion and do not know how to continue to use the PP. Thank you again for your attention and good advices.
    Have a vonderfull and safe Holiday! Best regards, Leonid
  • leoshats's avatar
    leoshats
    Explorer
    Jul 02, 2017
    Dear Mortimer, I've aploded a few photos, however they didn't appear on the page. Thank you in advance for your support.
  • Mortimer_Brewst's avatar
    Mortimer_Brewst
    Explorer II
    Jul 02, 2017
    The picture posting link above generates a URL link which you can copy and paste using the web link tool in the Advanced Post Form.

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