Difficulty getting the tow ball to release from hitch

[Skipg]

This problem just started on our old TT and on our new TT as well. When lifting the trailer to release the ball from the hitch it does not come off easily. The ball stays in the hitch until the weight of the truck being lifted pops the ball out causing the trailer to jump and move. Sometimes I even have to jump on the back truck pumper to release the ball also resulting in the trailer to jump. Any help or suggestions in solving this dangerous unhitching problem will be appreciated. Thanks

[noteven]

On my singly I land the jack, remove the WD bars, and drop the rear air suspension.

On my dually same as above but don’t use WD.

[troubledwaters]

Folks - The OP hasn't been back in a week, I'm guessing he's moved on.

[AlwaysOnTheRoad]

I had this issue until I learned to disconnect both of my WDH bars before decoupling.

[trailer_newbe]

Simple solution that works 100% of the time. Leave one of your WDH bars connected to the hitch but DISCONNECTED from the trailer. Use the bar as leverage to shake the hitch back and fourth using your arm to rock it. As you raise the hitch it will slide off.

[rbpru]

Over time I have read and tried several suggestions.

About the best I found is to jack up the TT until the ball is lifting the bumper few inches, then I undo the WD hitch bars and let the ball drop.

If it does not drop then I jump on the bumper like everyone else.

By the way, around here, we spell it chock and pronounce it "chack". 😉

[Varmintmist]

JRscooby wrote:
About 60 years ago I discovered some magic stuff that greatly reduces the binding on metal to metal contacts of all kinds. That would be the first thing I would try.

Always grease your balls.

[JRscooby]

CavemanCharlie wrote:
If there is pressure on it either sideways or fore and aft then I have to jump on the bumper of my pickup to get it to release.

Another place to think about the 2nd reply

JRscooby wrote:
About 60 years ago I discovered some magic stuff that greatly reduces the binding on metal to metal contacts of all kinds. That would be the first thing I would try.

[CavemanCharlie]

If there is pressure on it either sideways or fore and aft then I have to jump on the bumper of my pickup to get it to release.

[JRscooby]

noteven wrote:


Yup.

But they are usually used on vehicles and trailers that don’t need weight redistribution or sway control.

You would have to build a WD hitch with a flat plate to bolt the hook to. Then modify the trailer to attach the round eye. You could put some rubber “chucking absorbers” in while you are at it.

I have towed millions of miles on the eye. And your hook-up procedure is pretty close. When paving, I would set the foot of jack on very back edge of block. Bump the tongue, block kicks out, eye drops. Of course, if off a little I would need help to lift the tongue, get jack back on block.
But eye on pintle, or coupler on ball, the time consuming part is the bars.

[noteven]

JRscooby wrote:

noteven wrote:

caver wrote:
One I see frequently on the craigslist is various spellings of pindel, pendel etc hitch vs the proper spelling pintel hitch.

Or is it a “pintle hook” ?

Anyhoo it’s the Best one ever - back in, smash into the trailer, wind the jack down, close the hook, pin it,done.

Wish all heavy trailers had them..,

Would it work with WDH? Or sway control?

Yup.

But they are usually used on vehicles and trailers that don’t need weight redistribution or sway control.

You would have to build a WD hitch with a flat plate to bolt the hook to. Then modify the trailer to attach the round eye. You could put some rubber “chucking absorbers” in while you are at it.

[JRscooby]

noteven wrote:

caver wrote:
One I see frequently on the craigslist is various spellings of pindel, pendel etc hitch vs the proper spelling pintel hitch.

Or is it a “pintle hook” ?

Anyhoo it’s the Best one ever - back in, smash into the trailer, wind the jack down, close the hook, pin it,done.

Wish all heavy trailers had them..,

Would it work with WDH? Or sway control?

[campermama]

I spray a little WD40 on the ball when hitching up, never had a problem disconnecting.

[noteven]

caver wrote:
One I see frequently on the craigslist is various spellings of pindel, pendel etc hitch vs the proper spelling pintel hitch.

Or is it a “pintle hook” ?

Anyhoo it’s the Best one ever - back in, smash into the trailer, wind the jack down, close the hook, pin it,done.

Wish all heavy trailers had them..,

[caver]

One I see frequently on the craigslist is various spellings of pindel, pendel etc hitch vs the proper spelling pintel hitch.