Re: Trailer Coupler Latch Question
Sounds to me like maybe just a whole new coupler would be in order, it would surely end all the trips back and forth.
Measure the width of the tongue tubing and get an appropriate coupler and bolt it on. I just replaced two of mine, $14.95 each for the whole thing at a local hardware store and all is better.
Although it does sound like you have a coupler problem, that won't make that big of a deal when it comes to the trailer tracking or backing up. I'd take a real close look at the springs and shackles and make sure there's no broken or bent parts. A loose coupler could induce some trailer sway or banging around when stopping or backing but it won't make the trailer track poorly, even a bent tongue in most cases won't be noticeable when towing unless it's pretty severe.
(My bass boat trailer has had a 1" bend in the tongue for over 20 years with no ill effects, it was like that when I bought it new, they knocked off $300 and gave me a new tongue and coupler, I've just never bothered to change it out). The trailer may ride slightly off to the left but it's by far not noticeable from the drivers seat. My guess was that they bent it jockeying it around the lot when it was new, it's crimped into a slight bend right at the coupler. If I ever do anything with it, I'd most likely just unbolt the coupler and saw off about 8" of the tongue and reinstall the coupler farther back. The tongue has 4' of extra length as it is anyway.
