hitch doesn't fit

[gerewolf]

Hi,
I just bought a new trailer (Viking 17BH) and the hitch doesn't fit. The trailer hitch says it takes a 2-5/16" ball. I bought the ball and screwed it onto the mount, but the trailer hitch doesn't slide onto the ball. I had to get out a hammer and hammer it until it slipped onto the ball. Am I doing something wrong? Do I need to take it back to the dealer and get it fixed? Thanks for any help.

[CavemanCharlie]

gerewolf wrote:
Hi,
I figured out the problem. I wasn't operating the latch right. I previously owned an old Aliner with a different kind of latch. I finally figured out by looking underneath the coupler and seeing how the mechanism works. I realized I wasn't bringing the latch back and down as required (not just back) and now I have no more trouble. No more hammers!

Thank you for letting us know that you found a solution

[gerewolf]

Hi,
I figured out the problem. I wasn't operating the latch right. I previously owned an old Aliner with a different kind of latch. I finally figured out by looking underneath the coupler and seeing how the mechanism works. I realized I wasn't bringing the latch back and down as required (not just back) and now I have no more trouble. No more hammers!

[Bumpyroad]

I would think that if it was a 2 inch ball size that he would need a much larger hammer getting a 2 5/16 inch ball on it . 🙂
bumpy

[eocamper]

Based I the size of the trailer, I have reason to believe you should be using a 2" ball. Are you sure it's 2 5/16?

[Passin_Thru]

Get a bigger hammer to remove it.

[gerewolf]

Thanks fellow members:
I think I have gotten lots of good advice and will try lubricating the ball and coupler and looking inside at the mechanism to see if the latch is too tight, etc. Even though everything's new, I'll give it a clean with WD40. Thanks again.

[rbpru]

I thought the problem was simple, the ball was too hard to put on and too hard to take off.

The cutaway of the ball and socket system was quite informative. It is easy to see the need for lubrication of the receiver's components.

[mike-s]

SpeakEasy wrote:
You'll see a variety of different things the OP might have meant when he said "hitch." That's why I was confused

Now read the OP. It was perfectly clear to everyone else, from context ("The trailer hitch says it takes a 2-5/16" ball"), exactly what he was talking about.

It's just you.

[Bumpyroad]

I spose that is better than saying "that coupler thingy"?
bumpy

[SpeakEasy]

mike-s wrote:

SpeakEasy wrote:
When you said "the hitch" I had no idea what you were talking about.

Hitch. noun - a fastening that joins a movable tool to the mechanism that pulls it.

OK. You know how to use dictionary.com. So do I. Now google "What is a trailer hitch" and click on "images." You'll see a variety of different things the OP might have meant when he said "hitch." That's why I was confused.

-Speak

[beemerphile1]

Hitch is a rather generic term that encompasses lots of separate parts. What the OP must have meant was coupler. The "hitch" is typically mounted on the tow vehicle.

[mike-s]

SpeakEasy wrote:
When you said "the hitch" I had no idea what you were talking about.

Hitch. noun - a fastening that joins a movable tool to the mechanism that pulls it.

[SpeakEasy]

path1 wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:

Just happen to catch my eye. What is that "safety lock hole" at bottom? Never seen one like that. Better design or stronger?

Nothing to add to the advice already given, other than to say that the OP (as well as others responding) should really study this diagram and use the terminology correctly. When you said "the hitch" I had no idea what you were talking about.

-Speak

[path1]

Old-Biscuit wrote:

Just happen to catch my eye. What is that "safety lock hole" at bottom? Never seen one like that. Better design or stronger?

Must be Australian model? Lock from down under?