Urgent pull rite hitch help needed

[RVcrazy]

Our pull rite 20k hitch won"t release. It looks like the lock lever is bent up by the hitch pin. We can"t unhitch. We would like to level the trailer, but can"t figure out if we will make it better or worse. Does anyone know how to help? I do have a pix to email or text, but don't know how to post it to the forum. Stress!!! Thanks

[schlep1967]

Do yourself a favor. Ignore anybody that tells you that you should see daylight between the plate and the pinbox. Look at the pin on the pin box. It looks something like an upside down "T". The latch part of your hitch fits between the the lip at the bottom and the flat at the top. If you lift the trailer until you see daylight you can pinch the latch between the bottom lip and the underside of the plate.

When hitching you want the pinbox to hit about the middle of the plate and ride up the plate and into the slot. When it goes in the the curved jaw will snap into place behind the pin.

When unhitching you want to raise the trailer taking most of the weight off the suspension of the truck. Make sure to chock the trailer wheels at this point. Then put the truck in reverse and ease back. Set the parking brake. Then put the truck in Park. Now go see how easy it is to unlatch the hitch. Unhook cord and brake safety cable and ease the truck out from under the trailer.

[pyoung47]

Just to be sure you understand -- you slide the hitch under the trailer's pin box, slightly raising the trailer as you do so. Be sure you are as close to no angle with the trailer as possible hooking and unhooking.

[bpounds]

RVcrazy wrote:
Yep, it was high hitched. It sounds like we have been doing it wrong ever since new! I still don't understand exactly what we should be aiming for when we hitch. Hubby says he understands, but he's not the one watching when he backs up. We have been looking in the hole and centering the hitch pin, then lowering the weight onto the truck. Their booklet is not very helpful!

We did get the truck unhitched and pull rite is sending the parts to have it fixed.

This may be the scariest thing I have read on RV.net. How long have you been hitching that way?

Happy for you that you made it safe thus far. Could have been a big disaster.

[RVcrazy]

Thanks!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

[driveandfish]

Jerimiah's video link is good. It clearly shows the pinbox plate on the trailer about 1 inch lower than the top of the hitch plate in the truck. Then when you back up, the plates slide over each other and the truck lifts the trailer slightly. If you try to hitch with the truck too high you stand the risk of the jaws of the hitch not grabbing the pin correctly.

[jerem0621]

This is a Reese video but its illustrates the hitching procedure.

Hitching Procedure

Thanks!

Jeremiah

[kakampers]

P.S...when unhitching only lift the pin box till you see daylight between the pinbox and the saddle before trying to pull the handle. If it won't pull have him bump back just slightly and pull again...that usually releases the pressure. If its too high out of the saddle it will not open...hope this helps.

[kakampers]

RVcrazy wrote:
Yep, it was high hitched. It sounds like we have been doing it wrong ever since new! I still don't understand exactly what we should be aiming for when we hitch. Hubby says he understands, but he's not the one watching when he backs up. We have been looking in the hole and centering the hitch pin, then lowering the weight onto the truck. Their booklet is not very helpful!

We did get the truck unhitched and pull rite is sending the parts to have it fixed.

When hitching, make sure the pin is slightly lower than the hitch saddle...the pin box should actually ride up the saddle as it slides into place in the hitch. What I love about the Pull rite is the solid "clunk" when the hitch engages and wraps around the pin...you KNOW it's hitched!!

You should have the pin lowered into position prior to the truck backing under it...I watch, centering the pin as he slowly backs up. When it's close I lower the pin to the proper height and have him finish backing as I watch the pin box ride the saddle into position...as I said, when done this way you will hear the tell tale sound and see the arm pull in as it latches...

[brirene]

Glad you got it unhitched. When hitching, the pinbox should be slightly lower than the hitch, so that, when backing up, the pin slides up and into the jaws. Not sure about yours, but my Companion will close the jaws around the pin on its own.

[RVcrazy]

Yep, it was high hitched. It sounds like we have been doing it wrong ever since new! I still don't understand exactly what we should be aiming for when we hitch. Hubby says he understands, but he's not the one watching when he backs up. We have been looking in the hole and centering the hitch pin, then lowering the weight onto the truck. Their booklet is not very helpful!

We did get the truck unhitched and pull rite is sending the parts to have it fixed.

[kakampers]

Make sure the pin box is not too high out of the hitch...that will cause it to bind also.

[boiseidaho]

I had trouble with my pull rite super glide the other day. the handle
would not release. I tried most of what was mentioned above. Then I remembered if it should move and doesn't use WD-40. I lubed the release handle real good and it worked.

[4huskers]

Sounds like it's high hitched. I'd call Pullrite and explain everything to them. They probably have a solution. Great customer service.

[igor2brvn]

Bird Freak wrote:
Pull the 2 pins on the top. One on each side of the plate. Use the jacks to lift head off truck.

You may have to use the jacks to get the pressure off the pins, then they should pull right out.

[Bird_Freak]

Pull the 2 pins on the top. One on each side of the plate. Use the jacks to lift head off truck.