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bowler1's avatar
bowler1
Explorer
Sep 17, 2016

Trouble Hooking Up Trailer due to "Gear Slack"????

When I hook up my trailer by myself I have a problem with my truck rolling forward or backward after putting it in park and taking my foot off the brake. I get lined up on the ball and then the truck will either roll forward or back as a function of the "slack" in the gears (and not as a function of being on an incline). The amount that it rolls and direction can be unpredictable.

Any suggestions on how to deal with this? I have tried putting the parking brake on and a few other things, but it doesn't seem to help.

Would maybe putting it in neutral with the parking brake on be a way?

thanks for your help

Matt

27 Replies

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  • Nicholsfamily05's avatar
    Nicholsfamily05
    Explorer
    Sep 17, 2016
    Once your lined up set your parking brake and then put it in park.

    If it should roll still then you need to adjust your parking brake.

    My wives truck was bad when we tried it for our ATV trailer. All the way to the floor and it still rolled.
    Once tighted up it was all good. She wasn't in the habit of using it and I don't drive her truck. Mine is always set
  • GordonThree's avatar
    GordonThree
    Explorer
    Sep 17, 2016
    TomG2 wrote:
    I am pretty stout and this might not work for you but I can push or pull the tow vehicle the half inch or so that results from "Gear Slack".


    x2 on leaning on the truck to move it one way or the other... one of the very few advantages of being rather large.
  • TomG2's avatar
    TomG2
    Explorer
    Sep 17, 2016
    I am pretty stout and this might not work for you but I can push or pull the tow vehicle the half inch or so that results from "Gear Slack".

    Alternatively, I open the pickup door and pick a point of reference. If it rolls forward or backward when I release the brake, I put it back in the appropriate gear and move about one inch in the opposite direction of the roll.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Sep 17, 2016
    Yep.......good ole parking brake

    Should be set EVERY time before removing foot from brake pedal.

    Not just for hooking up trailer but any time you get out of vehicle.

    Make it a habit....
    Parking brake....then release vehicle brake pedal
  • Chuck_thehammer's avatar
    Chuck_thehammer
    Explorer
    Sep 17, 2016
    Parking brake is your helper on this problem.

    set it before releasing your foot from brake petal.
  • avoidcrowds's avatar
    avoidcrowds
    Explorer
    Sep 17, 2016
    Put it in Park, then, before taking your foot off the brake, set the parking brake. This should eliminate roll, if your brake is properly adjusted.
  • dodge_guy's avatar
    dodge_guy
    Explorer II
    Sep 17, 2016
    Get it where it needs to be then set the brake, then put it in park. it shouldn't roll with the park brake applied!

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