Forum Discussion

Brett_K's avatar
Brett_K
Explorer
Jul 31, 2014

Reese Dual Cam issue

Since we got our new TT, i have been having problems hitching and unhitching, especially geeting the load off the bars to remove them. The last time, the nose of the truck was pointed down a bit, and i had a heck of a time. I could not get the ball to release from the coupler either. Then I noticed it...the angle of my drop bar and hitch ball on the truck side was off. When the dealer installed it, the grooves on the washer were perpendicular to the grooves on the bar instead of parallel so they locked. This allows the hitch ball to pitch towArd the truck when you back it up. Theoretically, do you think this is the cause of not being able to get the load off my WD bars? I would literally have to bang them out with a block of wood and a hammer and it was scary.

16 Replies

  • Never get a dealer to install a WDH, especially a Reese DC. I've seen firsthand how bad they can be. I'm not sure if I'd even trust a hitch shop unless I had some very good references.

    There are some things unique to the DC WDHs that a person should know about. I'd search the forums for threads on these hitches. There is a wealth of info. on them.
  • Doesn't a post like this make you feel just great knowing that the people you pay to do professional work for you can't even get the very basic setup correct:(
  • A clarification, the OP's square washer had it's grooves placed perpendicular to the groves in the head allowing it to slip. It wouldn't matter how it was adjusted or how tight it was, the assembly was put together wrong.
  • Sounds like the bolts weren't properly torqued causing them to loosen and change your head angle. If I read correctly you were parked with the tow vehicle slightly nose down- this along with ball tilt towards the truck would likely cause problems uncoupling.
    You are going to have to readjust the head angle and re-torque the bolts.
  • Brett K wrote:
    The last time, the nose of the truck was pointed down a bit, and i had a heck of a time. I could not get the ball to release from the coupler either. Then I noticed it...the angle of my drop bar and hitch ball on the truck side was off.


    You sure the drop bar (shank) was angled as that should not happen...unless I am understanding you incorrectly. Hitch head is what angles to increase or decrease the pressure on the spring bars.

    EDIT: I now see that you are referring to the spring bars as drop bars.

    Brett K wrote:
    Theoretically, do you think this is the cause of not being able to get the load off my WD bars? I would literally have to bang them out with a block of wood and a hammer and it was scary.


    Agree with the other poster that something sounds out of adjustment. Best thing for you is to really learn the whole system and re-set it up properly. Reese Dual Cam set-up can be a little finicky getting it set-up, but once it is done right along with proper 13%-15% tongue weight nose loading of the trailer, they work well. You also want to make sure you grease the ball every time you hitch up.
  • Yes, if it moves then that would throw the adjustment off bad.