Trouble Decoupling Hitch

[WhiteHawk 2014]

Hello - my first post on this forum. Three weeks ago I purchased a 2014 White Hawk 27RBOK with Glacier and Summit package - very nice and we're very happy thus far. I've experienced only one problem: unhitching... each time it's a chore and kind of scary. After the very first time (45 minutes to unhitch) I greased well the ball and coupler. The coupler pin moves appropriately and everything appears undamaged. It doesn't matter if I'm on level ground or not. I've read many complaints about the Jayco hitch all describing the same problem but with no real solutions. Any help would be most appreciated.

[mcfarmall]

Welcome to the forum!!

It seems they either work well or they don't. Mine works well and there are no adjustments on the movable part of the coupler so ?????

If the hitch is under tension or compression it will be difficult to raise the trailer off the ball for example, trailer wheels firmly chocked and the vehicle rolls forward or backward a fraction of an inch when placed in park.

[two pockets]

I had a similar problem when we brought ours home. What I realized was that the ball was to far forward on the hitch and I had to reverse the truck a bit so it wouldn't catch and start lifting the truck up. I don't know if this is what was happening for you. If not, I would call a dealership and ask them.

[lx22f/c]

Originally Posted by mcfarmall

Welcome to the forum!!

It seems they either work well or they don't. Mine works well and there are no adjustments on the movable part of the coupler so ?????

If the hitch is under tension or compression it will be difficult to raise the trailer off the ball for example, trailer wheels firmly chocked and the vehicle rolls forward or backward a fraction of an inch when placed in park.

X2

[NDJollyMon]

I've only towed my new White Hawk once, but I had the same issue. I have not had this problem with any trailer before. I thought it was weird. I eventually got it to release the ball... but not after a lot of monkeying around. There must be a trick to these Jayco hitches???

[robkelly]

Welcome!

Had the same issue the first few times I towed too. I think it had a lot to do with it being new though as once I cleaned (paint, etc. in the coupler) and lubricated everything it was much easier to unhitch. As mcfarmall notes too, make sure there's no tension/compression on the coupler - I've found that once I chock the TT wheels, putting the TV in neutral and releasing the brake releases any tension/compression on the coupler. I then set the parking brake to make sure the TV doesn't move again until I've finished unhitching.

[33 RLDS]

I just jump up on the hitch and it pops right out..

[1wayhighway]

I haven't had any real problems but I have noticed that to get the latch to release you can't have any tension pushing back on the tongue, even a little pressure keeps it from releasing. Also the tilt on the hitch head can make a difference.

Like others have said grease makes it all work better. I've hitched and unhitched a bunch this year and it seems to get easier every time I do it.

[Philpaint]

Originally Posted by two pockets

I had a similar problem when we brought ours home. What I realized was that the ball was to far forward on the hitch and I had to reverse the truck a bit so it wouldn't catch and start lifting the truck up. I don't know if this is what was happening for you. If not, I would call a dealership and ask them.

+1

[chrismoore701]

every time i park the trailer, I set the parking brake on my TV before putting in park. this eliminates the TV from rocking a couple inches and binding things up. Try this when hooking and unhooking, works for me

[Camper_bob]

+1 on the grease, that solved most of my coupler problems.

-1 on setting the P-brake. Unless I'm on a slope, I want that "slop" in the truck. If my hitch is bound up, I just nudge the truck forward or grab the tail gate and pull it back toward me. If on relatively flat ground, that inch or two the truck moves is MORE than sufficient to release any bind on the hitch, and if it's in Park it's not going to roll away. Of course, at this time the trailer is chocked, so it's not going anywhere.

[Mustang65]

Is the issue that the ball does not want to separate from the coupler? We had same issue. Now we do the following and works GREAT! Only a few minutes to disconnnect.

The process we use is
1- put the wheel chocks under the wheels (once bent front jack because the trailer moved)
2- disconnect the sway bars
3- unlock the coupler
4- I get in the TV and put it in Neutral with brake on
5- DW starts to slowly raise the front electric jack higher (release brake if level) will usually uncouple.
6- If it does not uncouple, DW checks if the ball is at the front or back of coupler, I then move the truck a small amt fwd or back as needed to center the ball.
7- DW continues to raise front jack, usually separates with centering ball, if not re-do steps 4-7
Don

[SecretCoveDave]

I have noticed the chances of our hitch sticking rise in a direct correlation with the number of people available to observe my hitch dance performance.

Just saying.....

[RedHorse1]

Originally Posted by SecretCoveDave

I have noticed the chances of our hitch sticking rise in a direct correlation with the number of people available to observe my hitch dance performance.

Just saying.....

And I thought they were watching me.....

The X23B hitch was a little stiff when we got it and I discovered (or read here) centering the ball helped. Was still a little difficult to open. I hosed it down with brake clean and then sprayed it with lithium grease. That HELPED. As long as there was no strain on the ball front/back it'd open right up. Grease will collect dirt and grime over time so I'd repeat the clean/grease ever 6 months or so or after a long trip.

[eldermike]

Sometimes its smooth sometimes not so much. I chock the trailer, raise the rear of the truck up to where I know it should have already come off, jump up on the truck bumper grab the tailgate for support, jump up and down and it pops off. I stopped thinking about this long ago, it's just the way it is. My method works every time.

[WhiteHawk 2014]

Thanks all - I see a couple of suggestions I haven't tried. I plan on bringing the TT home next weekend and will try again... I'll keep you informed. Thanks for all the comments - I really appreciate it.

[clutch]

Just remember, grease is your friend. It not only helps lube the hitch while towing but it makes it easier to unhook. A side benefit is that a greasy ball tends to keep people away from the rear of your truck.

[SecretCoveDave]