Trouble unhitching TT

[ewh211]

We just picked up our new 2017 Whitehawk 27DSRL last week.
When we got it home we had a real difficult time getting the TT to unhitch from the TV. A couple of days ago I hooked it up to move it over in the driveway a little bit. Again, very difficult to unhitch. The driveway is slopped down, but I chalked the wheels before trying to unhitch.

The only think that seems to work is to give the TT a hard jerk with the brakes, then if I jump up and down on the bumper when raising the TT.

We did not have this issue with our old Coachman TT.

Am I doing something wrong? Does something need adjusting?

We are doing our first trip next weekend, and I don't want to be that guy at the campground that can't get his TV unhooked from the TT.

All suggestions are welcome.

[Paintinfool3]

Mine is hard to get off the hitch sometimes ... if you aren't on an incline you can put the truck in neutral when unhitching and let it roll into the release position , because sometimes the trailer being chocked and the truck being in park are fighting each other

[hemi8lonestar]

without the trailer hooked up, pull back the latch. check where the ball would sit, to see that the "jaw" is free to move up and down...it may need some penetrating oil. you can also visually inspect the jaw to see that it is not bent, it may have been lowered on to a ball in the closed position and damaged.

[ccso2213]

Not the "best" solution, but in a pinch, you can pull the pin on the receiver and pull the truck out. This leaves the ball in the hitch, but takes any pressure other than gravity off it. Should let the ball come free when released. Like I said, not the best solution, but it works.


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[bigbird]

Originally Posted by Paintinfool3

Mine is hard to get off the hitch sometimes ... if you aren't on an incline you can put the truck in neutral when unhitching and let it roll into the release position , because sometimes the trailer being chocked and the truck being in park are fighting each other

This solution works best for me and i will apply the emergencies after putting it in neutral then back in park for added safety.

[WyEm]

Do a search within this forum. There are several threads on this topic with different suggestions and solutions.

[Seann45]

Mine is tight on the ball too... I just keep lifting till it releases.. just another good reason to have a power tongue jack...

[Kim Gass]

I do the truck wiggle.. Back and forth till the hitch releases.. its back and forth rocking in inch increments.

Usually this is handier when the hitch refuses to drop completely.

We're relatively new but have hitched and unhitched some 70 times in the last five weeks.

Inclines are a pain. It gets easier. The first time we could not get hitched right we did ask for help. RV'ers do enjoy helping. Don't be embarrassed.

[1wayhighway]

Lubrication (ie grease). Also if you are able to adjust the tilt on your hitch head that may help.

[17 Oaks]

Originally Posted by 1wayhighway

Lubrication (ie grease). Also if you are able to adjust the tilt on your hitch head that may help.

Grab a pair of latex gloves or just use your hands. With a rag clean inside the female side well, use wd 40 to rinse. Use a high quality grease such as Mobil 1 wheel bearing grease, lube generously. Clean ball of all rust, feel with fingers for rough spots. Either file off or use steel wire brush to smooth, replace ball if needed. Give ball a thin overall coat of grease.

Still have issues...park and chock trailer wheels loosely. Place f/r chocks about ½ in off the tires to allow movement. Get in truck and put in neutral the put in park. This should release tension between the truck and trailer and hitch should release...

[ewh211]

Thank you all for all the responses so far.
I just checked the socket on the trailer hitch....It is dry with no lubricant of any sort in the socket.

What type of lubricant should be used? Grease? White Lithium, WD-40, other?

[oldmanAZ]

Use wheel bearing grease, like the previous posts mentioned.

WD-40 is NOT a suitable lubricant.

[ewh211]

Thank you all. I'll get some wheel bearing grease and give it a try. I'll let you know how it goes next weekend.

[Jagiven]

I slather on a good coating on to the ball every few trips. Between trips I found a 10 Oz (??) Disposable plastic cup covers the ball nicely.

Slopes can be a pain.

[Lakehound]

Never had the difficulty as you describe, however, my TV has an auto leveling system that can be a real pain if TT and TV are at different heights. I always have to switch the TV to manual leveling and go all the way down with it. Once its down, the TT hitches/unhitches perfectly. Then I switch back to auto and the airbags level it all out. I do grease the ball as well (messy but worth it).

[17 Oaks]

Originally Posted by ewh211

Thank you all for all the responses so far.
I just checked the socket on the trailer hitch....It is dry with no lubricant of any sort in the socket.

What type of lubricant should be used? Grease? White Lithium, WD-40, other?

A quality wheel bearing grease. I use Mobile 1 if I have it or a marine grade grease.

If your hitch dry I would clean it prior to greasing. This is where that wd 40 becomes your friend. Road grime, grit, sand, and dirt build up on the ball and in the hitch. Shoot liberally with wd40. Wipe out with paper towels and use wd to breakup and rinse out the crud then apply your grease.

[RoyBraddy]

I do what Don 17 OAKS does...

I have run into this as well and finally got into the idea to relieve all the pressures by putting the truck into neutral after all of the jacks and chocks are down. Relieving all of the tension has worked for me as well making it easier to jack up off the hitch...

See if that helps... I too like to do all of my experiments at home whenever possible... hehe Only the dog is watching at home...

Asking for advise at the camp grounds is fun too - lets you meet the neighbors...

Roy Ken

[homer1959]

you want problem with your coupler mechanism ? go ahead and mix dirt with grease.....

[nolimits76]

I recently bought a "new to me" 2010 26bh from a buddy. We've only had it out a few times, and I've also struggled with the same issue. Frustrating as can be.

I have to admit, that several times I did as already suggested and got the alignment even so no pressure was on the hitch and then I pulled the pin and pulled forward. Not the ideal situation by any stretch of the imagination, but it worked.

This last trip when I got back home, I had chocked the trailer wheels (both directions). I was again struggling to release. I pulled the truck forward a little thinking maybe the chocks would help. Not so much. So I tried it in reverse and my spotter (wife) starts waving her arms. Apparently that did the trick and we were able to jack up the trailer as it should be.

I plan on putting on some wheel bearing grease on the ball, but will also chock the wheels and try to the reverse thing again if I have another issue. I've only did this once so at this point I'm not sure if that is the magic trick, or I just got lucky the one time. We shall see soon.

[17 Oaks]

Grease is your friend and so is cleanliness. Growing up on a horse ranch, horse trailers, tractors, implements, work trucks we bought grease like it was candy. Dad taught me well and his tolerance for rust was very low. I follow it still.