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Old 04-17-2021, 08:54 PM   #1
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What caused unhitching while backing up over curb?

Upon returning from a trip, while backing my Jay Flight SLX 183RB into driveway, I accidentally hit the street curb and the hitch coupler came off the ball. I thought that it was secure, and did have a hitch pin in place. I'm pretty new to having a trailer. Can someone explain why it became unhitched and what precautions (besides not hitting a curb) I can do to avoid future mishaps?

I'm pulling with a Suburu Ascent.
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Old 04-17-2021, 09:01 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by bobuva View Post
Upon returning from a trip, while backing my Jay Flight SLX 183RB into driveway, I accidentally hit the street curb and the hitch coupler came off the ball. I thought that it was secure, and did have a hitch pin in place. I'm pretty new to having a trailer. Can someone explain why it became unhitched and what precautions (besides not hitting a curb) I can do to avoid future mishaps?

I'm pulling with a Suburu Ascent.
When you hitched up, did you lower the jack again and try to raise the trailer off the ball? I always do this to get my WDH bars installed, but it makes for a good test to know that the coupler is engaged and latched under the ball, not no top.
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Old 04-17-2021, 09:04 PM   #3
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Are you sure you are using the correct size ball on your hitch? If it was a size too small that would be the issue. ~CA
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Old 04-17-2021, 09:07 PM   #4
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Sounds like the ball is too small for the coupler. Most RV’s require a 2 5/16 inch ball. What size is the ball on your Suburu?
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Old 04-17-2021, 09:26 PM   #5
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If you have the right size ball for the hitch then your hitch coupler may be broken or out of adjustment. If you get down under the hitch you will see that the lever on the top pushes lever under the ball edge to lock the hitch to the ball. If the ball is to small or that hitch coupler is broken, poorly made or out of adjustment then it won't hold onto the ball.

Check the top of the hitch and the top of the ball. Both should have the same size shown.
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Old 04-18-2021, 09:46 AM   #6
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Quantum, thanks, I don't do that but I'll try it.
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Old 04-18-2021, 09:52 AM   #7
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The ball is 2". The width of the ball socket (coupler) is 2 1/4". The service rep was there when I purchased them at Camping World and helped me with the initial hitching.

Do I need a 2 1/4" ball?
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Old 04-18-2021, 10:00 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by bobuva View Post
The ball is 2". The width of the ball socket (coupler) is 2 1/4". The service rep was there when I purchased them at Camping World and helped me with the initial hitching.

Do I need a 2 1/4" ball?
Are you sure it isn't a 2 5/16" ball? I don't remember ever seeing a 2 1/4" and if your trailer uses a 2 5/16" you certainly wouldn't want to use a 2" ball as it could come off and if that happened going down the highway, that would be very bad. ~CA
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Old 04-18-2021, 10:15 AM   #9
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Your ball is too small. Hitch balls come in sizes 1 7/8", 2 ", and 2 5/16". There is no such thing as a 2 1/4" ball.

NEVER trust Camping World when it come to hitch setup...or most anything else for that matter. Most employees have little or no RV experience or knowledge.

Don't tow your trailer again until you have the proper hitch setup. Count yourself extremely lucky that you didn't have a serious accident while towing.
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Old 04-18-2021, 10:20 AM   #10
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You need to look on the front of your tongue. Look around, It is stamped somewhere
UNDER my Hitch Head it has this: (Yes, had to lay on my back and look up):
2 5/16 Dia. Ball

I would DEFINATELY go back to that service rep. AND talk with him/her and the manager about what happened. Can you imagine if your trailer separated while rolling down the highway?
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Old 04-18-2021, 10:24 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by bobuva View Post
The ball is 2". The width of the ball socket (coupler) is 2 1/4". The service rep was there when I purchased them at Camping World and helped me with the initial hitching.

Do I need a 2 1/4" ball?
Whatever size your coupler is stamped/sized at, is the size ball you must use. Any ball bigger won't go on. Any ball smaller, may come off.

People are simply telling you 2 5/16", because that is pretty standard for most Travel Trailers. Smaller TTs, could have a smaller coupler.
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Old 04-18-2021, 10:32 AM   #12
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Long ago when the family started camping with a pop-up, we had the "wonderful" experience of the hitch jumping off the ball on a bump in the sub-division. Quite the surprise for my parents and woke up the neighbors (It was 3 in the morning. lol).

Ever since that day, I have been checking to verify the hitch is properly attached after every hook-up. No need to repeat that experience as an adult! lol
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Old 04-18-2021, 10:32 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by Route 66 Traveler View Post
Your ball is too small. Hitch balls come in sizes 1 7/8", 2 ", and 2 5/16". There is no such thing as a 2 1/4" ball.

NEVER trust Camping World when it come to hitch setup...or most anything else for that matter. Most employees have little or no RV experience or knowledge.

Don't tow your trailer again until you have the proper hitch setup. Count yourself extremely lucky that you didn't have a serious accident while towing.
He is probably talking about the ball shank length, rather than the diameter.

https://www.curtmfg.com/towing-acces...lls/learn-more
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Old 04-18-2021, 10:54 AM   #14
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Thanks for everyone’s help! I’ll get underneath to read the exact size of the coupler and match the ball to it.
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Old 04-18-2021, 11:36 AM   #15
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Coupler size you read on top of the coupler. Ball size reads on top of the ball
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Old 04-18-2021, 11:46 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RAurand View Post
You need to look on the front of your tongue. Look around, It is stamped somewhere
UNDER my Hitch Head it has this: (Yes, had to lay on my back and look up):
2 5/16 Dia. Ball

Don't ya just love the "Made in China" stamp??

That explains the lousy weld and rust.....
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Old 04-18-2021, 12:38 PM   #17
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Coupler size you read on top of the coupler. Ball size reads on top of the ball
Could also be on the bottom (underside of the coupler) that is where mine is. (See above post/photo). POST # 10.
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Old 04-18-2021, 12:46 PM   #18
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Could also be on the bottom (underside of the coupler) that is where mine is. (See above post/photo). POST # 10.
I bet when the welder welded that plate on yours, he had it upside down. ~CA
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Old 04-18-2021, 01:50 PM   #19
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Thanks for everyone’s help! I’ll get underneath to read the exact size of the coupler and match the ball to it.
Make sure you report back and let us know what the issue was. It could help someone else one day, reading your post.
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Old 04-18-2021, 02:39 PM   #20
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Make sure you report back and let us know what the issue was. It could help someone else one day, reading your post.
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