Forum Discussion

maxwell11's avatar
maxwell11
Explorer
Oct 06, 2015

pull trailer hitch problem

was at the campground yesterday hooking up my 26ft Jayco pull camper to leave Toad Suck Dam campground and head back to KY>

the &&**$$% hitch on my trailer would not fall down to the proper location on my truck ball. After repeated tries, had mama bear pull forward and I wiped the grease out of the hitch, cleaned the grease off the ball and reapplied new grease.

the trailer hitch was fully open as I checked it a number of times, opening and closing it to insure it was fully releasing.

I have been using regular axle grease to lube the hitch parts as I see grease applied to trailer truck fifth wheels. So I assumed that was the popper lube to use.

However, I realize the axle grease does collect dirt and grime, which could gum up the works of the hitch.

any others have trouble getting their hitch to slide down onto the ball of the truck????????

am I using the correct lube or should I not use any lube on this ball hitch part??????????

any thoughts from those of you that still have a trailer type camper hitch?
___________________
after wiping the old grease out of the hitch and off the ball, then reapplying new grease, the hitch did finally slide down onto the ball, this is the second or third time I have had this happen,

I am about fed up with it, I can see having to have some camper service come out and drag this jayco back to the dealership chained up behind a tow truck.

mama bear might send both me and the jayco down the road,
Tow Vehicles

10 Replies

  • Learjet's avatar
    Learjet
    Explorer
    Oct 07, 2015
    if the ball was too far aft, it can contact the latch and force it up. Make sure the ball is in the middle or a little forward for it to drop down properly.
  • certified106's avatar
    certified106
    Explorer
    Oct 07, 2015
    maxwell11 wrote:
    thanks for the replys,

    now that I am home I will do some hitch maintenance,
    I will give the hitch a good cleaning and only lube it with a white hitch grease I found on the web site.

    at the camp site my next camp site neighbor, with a very large brand new jayco 5th wheel camper was having problems getting his hitch to latch,

    he had already dropped the trailer onto his truck once, ruined the tailgate and dented the sides of the new one ton Chevy Denali pickup, plus busted both sides of the camper. what a mess that was going to be to have fixed.

    as he hitched up the 5th wheel hitch it made a terrible noise as it locked, he had to drive the trailer back about 5 or 6"

    hope all jayco trailers do not have hitches like ours.


    You can rest assured that all Jayco's do not have hitches like this. This is my third Jayco and I have never had a problem with any of them. Also three of our camping friends have Jayco's and none of them have issues either. Growing up on a farm I have lots of experience with trailers and I have never really had issues getting any of them to settle on the ball.

    Also I would almost guarantee you the hitch that is welded to your frame is not made by Jayco and is most likely on thousands of other campers also.

    Are you sure you have the lock pulled all the way back? On mine you have to lift up and pull it back to get it to fully open. If the lock is open maybe you have to much backwards lean on the hitch or you weren't quite lined up properly. If you are to far back ball can hit the hitch lock when you drop it on and won't let the lock come forward unless you ease the tow vehicle forward.
  • Bedlam's avatar
    Bedlam
    Moderator
    Oct 06, 2015
    I've always used axle grease on my coupler and ball. Once a year, I clean it all up and start with fresh grease. I do the same on my torsion spring bars and hitch head which gives me a good chance to see all the parts clean and look for abnormal wear. Some prefer to use a dry Teflon type lube that is used on motorcycle chains since it does not attract as much dirt.
  • maxwell11's avatar
    maxwell11
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2015
    thanks for the replys,

    now that I am home I will do some hitch maintenance,
    I will give the hitch a good cleaning and only lube it with a white hitch grease I found on the web site.

    at the camp site my next camp site neighbor, with a very large brand new jayco 5th wheel camper was having problems getting his hitch to latch,

    he had already dropped the trailer onto his truck once, ruined the tailgate and dented the sides of the new one ton Chevy Denali pickup, plus busted both sides of the camper. what a mess that was going to be to have fixed.

    as he hitched up the 5th wheel hitch it made a terrible noise as it locked, he had to drive the trailer back about 5 or 6"

    hope all jayco trailers do not have hitches like ours.
  • jerem0621's avatar
    jerem0621
    Explorer II
    Oct 06, 2015
    If you are running a lot of hitch head angle you can run into this problem...I did with my last WD hitch. With the max number of washers to tilt the ball away from the trailer I had a heck of a time getting the ball to couple and uncouple.

    I removed a washer or two and everything went back to normal. Now I am not sure if it was my coupler or what but my hitch head angle was the solution.

    Thanks!

    Jeremiah
  • TomG2's avatar
    TomG2
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2015
    Do a search to find many opinions on ball lube. Personally, I simply use a Teflon spray to keep things working. Haven't worn out a ball in forty thousand miles of towing.
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2015
    perhaps locking mechanism is tightened down a little too much.
    bumpy
  • Greene728's avatar
    Greene728
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2015
    Does the locking mechanism on the trailer tongue have an adjustment? Sounds like the lip on the trailer needs adjusting or as others have stated been damaged from the repeated attempts at getting it to engage the ball. The grease should not be a problem unless you literally have it packed in there!


    Also, you may possibly get more info in the TT forum.
  • boogie_4wheel's avatar
    boogie_4wheel
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2015
    Axle grease on my balls. Keeps em quiet and smooth.
    If you run em dry they wont last as long. I can't remember the last time I bought a hitch ball. It's been years.
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    Oct 06, 2015
    Been using this for over 10 years....lots and lots of camping.
    But, any heavy duty axle or bearing grease should work just fine.

    I wouldn't run it without something. I guess you will just have to clean it once or so each season.

    Possibly the lock mechanism is just slightly bent or damaged and that is what is causing you the repeated problem.

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