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Old 06-20-2015, 10:12 AM   #1
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Hitch won't release from ball

I thought there was another post on this so I did search but couldn't find it so here is the problem:

The hitch on my 2015 26RKS is an absolute bear to uncouple. It just will NOT release without a great deal of effort to get it perfectly aligned and even then it does not want to let go. I've tried all the tips about backing into the chocks to loosen etc. but it is always a nightmare to release. I've had many trailers hooked up and this is the first one that gives me so much trouble.

Anything particular to the type of coupler that Jayco uses that might help me understand why this is happening? Any suggestions appreciated.
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Old 06-20-2015, 10:25 AM   #2
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Do you have greese on the ball and coupling? And many times if a trailer is not level can make it difficult.
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Old 06-20-2015, 10:26 AM   #3
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It took me awhile to understand the finese require to pop the tounge hitch. Jayco's lever slides back and up. This gave me trouble as I was trying to just flip it up. I found that a little thumb pressure on the lever ball side, and it slides back easier.
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Old 06-20-2015, 10:32 AM   #4
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We have an 284BHS EAGLE and encountered the same issue. It was next to impossible to get the TT off of the TV. Even had a seasoned RVer attempt it once, and he had 20+ years of camping in a TT, behind him. He could not believe it.

What we found works is we leave the TT chocks under the wheels, and put the truck in neutral without applying the brakes. Most of the time the TV/TT will disengage when the tongue is raised as the truck will move either front or back a little bit. One or twice since then, it has given us a problem and what we do is raise the tongue so that there is no pressure on the TV and I can either get on the TV bumper and get it to move up or down or move the back of the TV sideways while activating the tongue jack.

Hope this works... I am sure that there will be other members that have systems that work for them.. you just have to give them all a try and see what works best for you

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Old 06-20-2015, 10:47 AM   #5
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Not sure what you mean by backing into the chocks. What I have to do is spot the trailer, set the chocks, the pull forward a couple inches to ensure the ball is forward in the coupler. If the ball is pushing to the rear of the coupler then the coupler has a hard time fully disengaging.
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Old 06-20-2015, 11:15 AM   #6
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Whenever I see a thread about this I wonder if the ball is back in coupler. Like clubhouse, I make sure the ball is in the front part of the coupler and have never had an issue. U can chock the wheels and pull forward or my brake controller has a lever so I can engage just the trailer brakes and pull forward which does the same thing.
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Old 06-20-2015, 12:09 PM   #7
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There doesn't seem to be one clear-cut answer. It can be one thing or a combination of them.

One thing I didn't see mentioned thus far was to shake the tongue of the TT. I always do this when unhitching by alternately pushing then pulling the top of the electric or manual tongue jack sideways as the tongue is raised up, off the ball.
Of course this is after...
- the coupler lock is fully released (the locking lever is up and to the rear)
- the trailer is chocked so it is NOT rolling
- the TV is held from NOT rolling back toward the TT (with the TT chocked, put the TV into gear to IDLE gently forward then use the parking brake to hold the TV - using 'Park' by itself will let the TV move slightly forward or back) *

* If there are 2 people, with one person shaking and raising the tongue, the other (with the engine idling) moves between reverse, neutral, and drive.

Some trailers were more difficult than others, but the above always worked for me.

Hope that helps.
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Old 06-20-2015, 12:38 PM   #8
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Also check the coupler for excessive paint or powder coat. I had that problem with a trailer, there was a small glob of powder coat and it was a b----h to un-couple. Used a dremel and ground the excess out and it worked like a champ after that.
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Old 06-20-2015, 12:52 PM   #9
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Gee have pulled many things in past 30 years and I've never had the issues that I do with our 264BHW. Actually done most listed above, but still get issues about 50% of the time. To me just shouldn't be an issue if hookup is clean which I believe doing best can everytime...

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Old 06-20-2015, 12:56 PM   #10
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I also had a miserable time uncoupling when our TT was new and found the suggestions above worked well, especially lubricating the ball. Similar to Grumpy, we also had some paint in the coupler and getting rid of that also made a big difference
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Old 06-20-2015, 04:14 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by robkelly View Post
I also had a miserable time uncoupling when our TT was new and found the suggestions above worked well, especially lubricating the ball.
x2
Ours has gotten easier each time. I think the grease was a big help.
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Old 06-20-2015, 06:07 PM   #12
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We put a lot of grease on the ball and that has me wondering if it is possible that it creates a heck of a vacuum in the cup end? Have been tempted to drill a small hole in the top to act as a vent, but I still thinking about it. Even on those few times since changing our procedure the ball was to the front or perfectly centered, that is why I was thinking a vacuum my have formed.

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Old 06-20-2015, 09:48 PM   #13
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Lots of good suggestions that I will be trying. Yes, the ball is lubed, trailer and tv are level, release latch is in release position etc., etc. but it just won't let go. It looks like the fit is so tight front to back that the ball must be EXACTLY centred in the coupler before it will move at all. It seems to jam in there.

I have even tried a different receiver hitch/ball to see if that was the problem with the same result.

I like the idea of checking for excessive paint or powder coat in the coupler as that might explain why it is such a close fit and will check that tomorrow.

Seriously, this is the first of many trailers that I have had this problem with and it's a real PITA.
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Old 06-20-2015, 10:58 PM   #14
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I have this same problem. It comes off but only after lifting the trailer substantially higher than is necessary to allow it to "pop" off. Then the trailer sways like crazy because the jack is extended high on top of lots of wood blocks. The disconnect is so violent.

My other trailers disconnect with ease and without any fan fare.
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Old 06-21-2015, 05:15 AM   #15
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Maybe the locking mechanism is too tight. I would check the play when hooked up. Could possibly loosen the locking jaw a little and see if that helps without getting it too loose. Do you also have problems engaging the hitch???
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Old 06-21-2015, 05:36 AM   #16
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One recommendation I didn't see was a "liberal" shot of WD-40. I greased up the ball and it still wasn't as smooth as I wanted it to be. A good shot of lubricant on the hitch and my problem went bye-bye. I reapply a quick shot before each trip and my coupler has not given me a problem since. Plus the grease is still there so I don't have any squeak.
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Old 06-21-2015, 06:30 AM   #17
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I was thinking lock adjustment too tight also.

I like WD-40 for many things. It often works to combine and soften up older grease and crud. I've learned to first apply the grease or heavier oil and then use the WD-40. I've found that if the WD-40 is used first it often interferes with the grease sticking where you want it.

FWIW. vic
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Old 06-21-2015, 07:38 AM   #18
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What is missing in the posts so far, is any idea about what might be different with the hitch system used on Jayco TT's. My 2014 W hawk has the same problem. Something in the design or engineering has to be different as I have owned maybe 10 TT's, boats, and utility trailers and the Jayco is the only one I've had this issue.
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Old 06-21-2015, 10:46 AM   #19
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Bassdogs, that is exactly my question. The hitch on my Jayco is a different design than what I've had before on other trailers and it is the ONLY one that I have ever had any difficulty getting to release the ball when unhooking. So what is different? I think I'll contact Jayco and ask these questions.

Thanks everyone for the replies and if I find a better way to unhook I'll let you know.
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Old 06-21-2015, 11:14 AM   #20
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I have this issue as well. I've done the WD 40 and grease. Didn't seem to help. Best solution I've found is a large screwdriver. I have a slot in my hitch on the forward side of the locking lever. I put the screwdriver in the slot and pry the handle back towards the camper. When starting, the screwdriver Is in the vertical position. Just need a bit of leverage. Pops off every time with little to no effort. Just the leverage. The screwdriver pushes the lock forward (towards the vehicle) and up. It is next to impossible to do by hand.
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