What is the black latch on my trailer hitch?

thanks for the help, and concern. all is ok here. i couldn’t figure out how to latch it down which made me question its purpose. quick call to my dealer and he suggested i inch my TV forward an inch or two, and that did the trick. i had only hooked up once before. im getting faster. and trailer set up at the park tonight took less than fifteen minutes. we’ll see about breakdown after our trip is over.

I use a case hardened long shaft padlock on all my trailers latches.

I had a couple pull into a site next to me last fall and I watched them as he tried to unhook and set up.....I went outside and made my presence known and he asked me what he was doing wrong....so I showed him how it worked. He said it was a borrowed trailer and they were on a little getaway from the kids and he wasn't shown how it worked when he picked up the trailer. I gave him the best instruction I could on it and then left. They are out there and its up to us to help out when we can.

Huntindog is right. You NEED training.

Huntindog wrote:
I suggest to the OP:::: FULL STOP. THis is a pretty basic question. So basic that you probably need some hands on person to person training.
Some of this stuff can be dangerous to yourself and others if done wrong. Please seek out some help.

For the others:

As for the pin... I don't bother. I use WD everytime, and when that is in use, it is impossible for the hitch to come off the ball.

I agree, if you have to ask about this you should step away before somebody gets hurt.

I use a locking pin for mine. Secures the trailer when parked and prevents vandalism when stopped at rest areas or shopping Walmart.

....and just make very sure that it is completely snapped down with a pin (pictured above) in it before you drive off when towing....If it isn't, your trailer could easily bounce off the ball and disconnect...

Put on a rubber glove, put a couple of fingers in the hitch ball receiver and see what it does as you gently raise and then lower it.

Using a coupler pin is a good idea, as well.