Difficulty Getting Trailer Coupler On or Off of the Ball

Updated 09/22/2015 | Published 09/21/2015

Question:

Seems I have a couple of problems. 1 When trying to hook the RV trailer, cannot get the locking mechanism to lock down on once on the ball. I have tried liquid wrench tapping with rubber mallet etc. 2 even when I do get on the ball, then it becomes hard to disengage. What can I do and will this white grease work to help me out?

asked by: Patrick J

Expert Reply:

This may sound silly but its worth checking: is the ball you are using too large for what the coupler requires? Or is the coupler damaged at all? You may need to look up inside the coupler to see if there is any corrosion that is binding things up.

On many couplers there are some adjustments that you can make. There is usually a nut that holds on a wedge that makes contact with the ball. Adjusting that nut up or down as needed could help.

Using ball grease such as # 58117 does make it easier to couple and uncouple a ball but make sure that everything is in good working order first.

expert reply by: Michael H