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Old 04-28-2014, 01:05 PM   #1
Israel
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Issues Unhitching Ball (neck Ball) Stuck in locking cam (latch)

Hi,

I got a new Springdale 260TBL, it is so nice. So far everything was great but I noticed that sometimes if I back it up in an angle (to park the trailer) when I’m trying to unhitch it, the ball (neck of the ball) will be caught inside the trailer coupler (locking cam ) because it will get pinch with the latch (in the open position). Any advices? I think the baking up in an angle make it really hard for unhitching, but obviously sometimes there is no option to be perfectly straight.

Israel
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Old 04-28-2014, 01:38 PM   #2
Hoojs12840
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Do you have the ball greased?
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Old 04-28-2014, 02:26 PM   #3
BirchyBoy
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There's another thread with a similar issue. The solution in the other thread was to chock the trailer wheels and the put a little forward pressure on the hitch. That, coupled with disconnecting the friction bars before messing with the latch, has eradicated all of my troubles.
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Old 04-29-2014, 06:36 AM   #4
Israel
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Thanks, I will try that.
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Old 04-29-2014, 06:37 AM   #5
Israel
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoojs12840 View Post
Do you have the ball greased?
Yes, I have the ball grease
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Old 04-29-2014, 08:08 PM   #6
theeyres
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I have an Andersen eqaulizing system and have found that the best procedure is to raise the trailer (I have an electric crank), release the Andersen, lower the hitch to release the ball. At that point I often have to put the truck in Drive and let it go forward just until tight, then the latch releases easily. Then raise the tongue until the trailer is clear of the ball. Works every time.
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Old 04-30-2014, 04:23 AM   #7
{tpc}
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Once in awhile I have to fiddle with it. Sometimes I use the truck to get it tight and then release it, sometimes just fiddling up and down with the tongue jack will do it. The most often times it is stuck? When the truck and trailer aren't perfectly straight.

I too disconnect the friction plate and spring bars prior to this, to me this is the only way that makes sense, but its how they showed me to do it at the dealer.
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Old 04-30-2014, 04:52 AM   #8
Dadstoy
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I've had the same problem with mine, and have learned to put forward pressure on the hitch. It then releases easy. I use to fight it.
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Old 05-02-2014, 10:26 AM   #9
Israel
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Quote:
Originally Posted by theeyres View Post
I have an Andersen eqaulizing system and have found that the best procedure is to raise the trailer (I have an electric crank), release the Andersen, lower the hitch to release the ball. At that point I often have to put the truck in Drive and let it go forward just until tight, then the latch releases easily. Then raise the tongue until the trailer is clear of the ball. Works every time.
Thanks so much for the tip.
I've tried that and it worked pretty good. My only concern is when I have to raise the trailer and the cupler is holding the ball. Do you know if there's a risk on damaging the system somehow after doing this many times?

I had previous issues braking a jack in my old tent trailer because the coupler was holding the ball still and I did't realize that and I over did it. " I know,, silly me" but that's why Im asking, I don't have to replace the jack on this new one, or even worse, having to damage the latch and won't be able to hold the ball again.
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Old 05-02-2014, 10:28 AM   #10
Israel
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Quote:
Originally Posted by {tpc} View Post
Once in awhile I have to fiddle with it. Sometimes I use the truck to get it tight and then release it, sometimes just fiddling up and down with the tongue jack will do it. The most often times it is stuck? When the truck and trailer aren't perfectly straight.

I too disconnect the friction plate and spring bars prior to this, to me this is the only way that makes sense, but its how they showed me to do it at the dealer.
Yes, you are right,, that is the correct procedure to unhitch it. I follow it too, I guess the issue that I had is that not all the time I'm perfectly straight and it is hard to unhitch in an angle
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Old 05-02-2014, 10:29 AM   #11
Israel
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dadstoy View Post
I've had the same problem with mine, and have learned to put forward pressure on the hitch. It then releases easy. I use to fight it.
Thanks for the tip.
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