Removing Hitch Lock without Access to the Key Hole and Bike Rack Locked onto Hitch

Updated 05/27/2015 | Published 05/25/2015

Question:

I am hoping that you can help me. The attached email shows what I ordered from you two plus years ago. I have been very happy with the merchandise from etrailer. Today I made a mistake by putting the hitch lock backwards onto the threaded hitch bolt. The design of the hitch does not allow me to fit the key into the lock when the lock is facing backwards. Can you tell me any way to remove the hitch lock. The only solution that I can see is to remove the hitch, with the bike rack attached, then dispose of the hitch, rack and lock, then buy a new hitch, rack and lock. This seems an extreme solution for a simple mistake that I feel sure has been made by others because there is nothing that prevents someone from putting the lock on by mistake. Please help me with this or suggest some alternative. Thanks in advance for considering this request.

asked by: Bill

Expert Reply:

I do have a couple of options that you can try before you remove the hitch. First, you can try drilling into the lock (which will destroy it) to free the lock from the pin so you can then remove the pin.

The second option is to call a locksmith who will likely have the tools and know-how to remedy the situation with minimal effort.

expert reply by: Michael H