Troubleshooting Stuck Hitch Ball in Trailer Coupler

Published 04/18/2023

Question:

My newly purchased used 500 lb trailer wont release ball hitch towed by van. Ive already disengaged it from van but now the ball hitch is just stuck in the coupler. No matter what I do . Of course its unlocked and opened fully and I dont see any thing jamming it up. Not much rust. Wd applied . Nothing! What else do I do

asked by: Mary

Expert Reply:

It sounds like your hitch ball is stuck in the trailer coupler and you've removed the ball mount from the hitch receiver on your tow vehicle.

With this being the case, I recommend installing the ball mount back into the hitch receiver and then hitting the ball platform with a rubber mallet # PT24FR while jostling the trailer coupler to see if it comes loose. If you have a trailer jack then you can also try lowering the leg while tapping the ball mount with the mallet to see if the jack can lift the coupler off of the hitch ball.

There are a few things that could be keeping these together, like debris in the coupler or if the coupler is supposed to fit a different sized hitch ball. If you move it around enough and apply enough spray lubricant you should be able to get it to come loose.

expert reply by: Jon G