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how do you know when the ball is firmly in place
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9 Posts
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December 13, 2013 - 11:26 pm
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Ok, so we got 3a few miles down the road and the trailer popped off the ball.  I won't tell DW but now I'm gun shy and trying to understand the mechanics of how to identify the proper hook up.  We'd like to not constantly worry about the trailer falling off!

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2545 Posts
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December 14, 2013 - 7:16 am
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It sounds like you may have an incorrect ball size or the latch on the coupler wasn't down.  The ball size should be stamped on your coupler and the ball should have a stamp as well.  All couplers have a latch of some sort that closes the collar around the lower part of the ball that prevents the coupler from popping off the ball.  There is a way to adjust the collar but in 20 years of towing trailers I have never had to adjust one so I don't know how.  Many latches on the coupler have a hole that you can put a lock or pin through to secure the latch closed. 

When I hook up my trailers I will always try to lift up on the trailer.  If it comes off the ball, then there is a problem.

Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer.  Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.

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December 14, 2013 - 1:58 pm
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yea something is not right.  They do not come off like that.  Ball size wrong, wasn't actually seated properly or something broken perhaps.  There is actually an adjustment on the tongue to account for wear that you can tighten but I doubt anyone has ever done that on any camper ever, like ever.

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December 14, 2013 - 5:19 pm
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[img width=399 height=640]http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/pics/C/P/CP02-050_spec_1000.jpg[/img]

The "underjaw" locks under the ball, locking the ball in place.  I've tried to hitch up multiple times and gotten underjaw on top of the ball instead of under it. JoeCamper taught me that when you hitch up, have the ball towards the front of the hitch so the underjaw doesn't get caught up.  I often look underneath after lowering the hitch to make sure it's in place. Then I put a paddlock on the latch on top to make sure it can't accidentally come up.

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December 15, 2013 - 9:26 am
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Easiest way to check is after you are hitched and latched, raise the tongue jack with the TV attached and see if the back of the TV goes up with the trailer. If its not on the ball, it will immediately come off.

Weight distribution hitch users do this all the time as its easier to add the distribution bars with weight on the trailer's nose.

Martini Glass The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything that they have!
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