I replaced my adjustable tongue on my Casita about 5 years ago, because it was getting harder hitch and unhitch. I replaced the hitch, ball and tongue with one of these: Trailer Valet Blackout Series 5,000 lbs A-Frame Coupler- 2 -in Ball. These have no way that I can see to be adjusted. Well this one can be a bear to disengage as well as even engage. When I unhitch I almost always have to jump up and down on my truck bumper. I know if everything is in a perfect straight line and everything is level an on pavement it will be easier, but I don't camp in those kinds of places. Any suggestions?Thanks Paul

Are you hitching by yourself? Once the trailer is fully chocked so it isn't going to move...to have the driver run thru reverse, neutral, drive with the brakes on lightly. That will cause the ball to shift a little and usually pop it free.But normally, that shouldn't be an issue.

Yes, that is always part of the routine. Just seems like it shouldn't be that hard. The real problems start if I try to hook or unhook at a bit of an angle. I have had this trailer for 15 years and don't remember having these hassles early on. Thanks for your input. I guess it needs to be completely chocked up and I have to move little by little until the ball is right in the middle. And yes, that would be way easier if someone was helping, but not that big a deal to get in and out of the truck. I was beginning to think there was something wrong. Thanks.

Have you greased the ball?Have you looked to make sure there is nothing on the ball or coupler that is snagging?It may just be that it is a tighter fit than your prior setup - with time and greasing it may start to loosen up a bit.

your hitch jack might have just needed oil or grease.The little do-hickie thing in the trailer posi-lock coupler that locks to the ball can be pressed against the vehicle ball when the vehicle is pushing back on the trailer. This will cause the do-hickie to bind and not let go, then you have to jump on it.Grease can help.Collar locks are a lot easier to work with.

Following the advice of an RV dealer and many other RVers I Sometimes after carefully choking the trailer wheels I have removed the locking pin to the hitch ball shaft and slowly pulled the truck away from the TT and the ball and shaft drops free hanging from the trailer tongue. The ball and shaft would then drop free with a slight amount of wiggle. Make sure truck and trailer are perfectly level and straight with each other and on level ground and your foot is not underneath the tongue when heavy ball and shaft let go. Only had to do this on rare occasions.

Problems hitching and un hitching | Good Sam Community

NamMedevac_70
Explorer II
Aug 01, 2021
Following the advice of an RV dealer and many other RVers I Sometimes after carefully choking the trailer wheels I have removed the locking pin to the hitch ball shaft and slowly pulled the truck away from the TT and the ball and shaft drops free hanging from the trailer tongue. The ball and shaft would then drop free with a slight amount of wiggle. Make sure truck and trailer are perfectly level and straight with each other and on level ground and your foot is not underneath the tongue when heavy ball and shaft let go. Only had to do this on rare occasions.
mr_andyj
Explorer
Jul 31, 2021
your hitch jack might have just needed oil or grease.

The little do-hickie thing in the trailer posi-lock coupler that locks to the ball can be pressed against the vehicle ball when the vehicle is pushing back on the trailer. This will cause the do-hickie to bind and not let go, then you have to jump on it.

Grease can help.

Collar locks are a lot easier to work with.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Jul 31, 2021
Have you greased the ball?

Have you looked to make sure there is nothing on the ball or coupler that is snagging?

It may just be that it is a tighter fit than your prior setup - with time and greasing it may start to loosen up a bit.
pemongillo
Explorer
Jul 31, 2021
Yes, that is always part of the routine. Just seems like it shouldn't be that hard. The real problems start if I try to hook or unhook at a bit of an angle. I have had this trailer for 15 years and don't remember having these hassles early on. Thanks for your input. I guess it needs to be completely chocked up and I have to move little by little until the ball is right in the middle. And yes, that would be way easier if someone was helping, but not that big a deal to get in and out of the truck. I was beginning to think there was something wrong. Thanks.
valhalla360
Navigator
Jul 31, 2021
Are you hitching by yourself?

Once the trailer is fully chocked so it isn't going to move...to have the driver run thru reverse, neutral, drive with the brakes on lightly. That will cause the ball to shift a little and usually pop it free.

But normally, that shouldn't be an issue.

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Problems hitching and un hitching

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