Coupler Stuck on the ball

[mxcarne]

So I got my new-to-me boat today, got it hooked up, towed it home, and couldn't get it to lift off the ball, the little lever will not pop-up.

I tried levering it and pulling it with a hammer for leverage thinking it may just be rusty. No luck. I also tried putting a jack under the tongue and putting my weight on the pumper while my wife pulled up on the lever. Nothing. It wont budge. I was able to pull the Ball mount out of the receiver so its not stuck to the truck.

Any ideas?

Worst case I could buy a new coupler its not a huge deal, but if I can avoid it, awesome.

 

[cribber]

Re: Coupler Stuck on the ball

A picture would go a long way in helping you out of your dilemma... something is definitely not right or needs a little more persuasion.

 

[tomdinwv]

Re: Coupler Stuck on the ball

The piece that the lever locks down may be stuck. I just went outside and looked at mine. There is a nut up under the coupler. Try taking it off and that may release the coupler. It may be hard to get to while it's still on the ball. Good luck!

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: Coupler Stuck on the ball

The piece that the lever locks down may be stuck. I just went outside and looked at mine. There is a nut up under the coupler. Try taking it off and that may release the coupler. It may be hard to get to while it's still on the ball. Good luck!

Yes remove the nut the internals of the coupling will come out you can see if they need cleaning and lubing or if they need to be replaced. You can buy rebuild kits for them.

 

[mxcarne]

Re: Coupler Stuck on the ball

I love you guys, you're so quick, Thank You!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Coupler Stuck on the ball

So I got my new-to-me boat today, got it hooked up, towed it home, and couldn't get it to lift off the ball, the little lever will not pop-up.

I tried levering it and pulling it with a hammer for leverage thinking it may just be rusty. No luck. I also tried putting a jack under the tongue and putting my weight on the pumper while my wife pulled up on the lever. Nothing. It wont budge. I was able to pull the Ball mount out of the receiver so its not stuck to the truck.

Any ideas?

Worst case I could buy a new coupler its not a huge deal, but if I can avoid it, awesome.

Ayuh,.... 2" ball in a 1, 7/8" coupler,..??
Hyd. brake coupler, still pushed back in the brake mode,..??

As noted,.... got a Picture,..??

 

[robert graham]

Re: Coupler Stuck on the ball

Be careful screwing around with it so you don't drop the trailer tongue on your foot or similar. I'd jack it up and rest it maybe on some jack stands. The tongue weight could be a considerable amount! Good Luck!

 

[oops!]

Re: Coupler Stuck on the ball

if you start messing with the bolt under the coupler......make sure the coupler is fastened to the ball.....

if it is under stress....you could loose a finger or possibly a trip to the dentist if it jumps off the ball

 

[oops!]

Re: Coupler Stuck on the ball

lol....stop to watch a commercial and three replys.....way to go iboats !

 

[GasCan II]

Re: Coupler Stuck on the ball

Before you start taking things apart, block the trailer wheels than support the tounge with jack or blocks. Than put the tow vehicle in netual and release the brake .This will release any pressure on the coupler.
Hope this helps !

 

[mxcarne]

Re: Coupler Stuck on the ball

No pressure on it right now other than the weight of the ball mount. Ill try to get a pic in AM, its dark here and chilly.

It is a 2" coupler and a 2" ball. I wont get much time to actually take it apart until Thursday. But looking at replacements are only $8-20, so taking apart is definitely not out of the question.

 

[superbenk]

Re: Coupler Stuck on the ball

I believe he has the ball mount removed from the hitch so the trailer isn't attached to the tow vehicle at all now. The ball mount is just hanging from the coupler. Regardless be careful because even a couple pounds of steel swinging in a surprise direction can do some damage. Definitely sounds like the lock-down mechanism in the coupler is buggered up somehow.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Coupler Stuck on the ball

Does the release handle raise up all the way? I so I'd try some penatrant oil and a small hammer on the pin under the handle.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Coupler Stuck on the ball

Does the release handle raise up all the way? I so I'd try some penatrant oil and a small hammer on the pin under the handle.

And if that doesn't work, just keep scaling up the size of the hammer. At some point it WILL work!

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Coupler Stuck on the ball

And if that doesn't work, just keep scaling up the size of the hammer. At some point it WILL work!

Wow was in the middle of a reply and bom, power outage, Lasted just long enough to kill everything. Computer, clocks, lights.

Back to the story. If that doesn't work grind the pin off the handle and use a 6# sledge. Should save the ball anyways.

 

[Philster]

Re: Coupler Stuck on the ball

Get it connected to the truck again: Move the truck a few inches into reverse or forward. She'll pop off.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Coupler Stuck on the ball

1) did you remove the locking pin?
2) If there is no locking pin, did you push the release button
3) If the lever does not lift up after doing 1 or 2 you should only need to give the nut under the coupler a couple of turns to release the lever. There should be no reason to remove the nut entirely.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Coupler Stuck on the ball

I drove down some sandy roads and mine got gubbered up and it wouldn't come off. I tried lifting it off with the jack and the forward and reverse thing and it still wouldn't budge. Finally I left it attached to the truck, jacked up the boat with the trailer tongue jack to take the weight off and smacked the tow bar with a 5 ft 2X4. It popped right off. I tried a 3 lb hammer first but it didn't work. I have a long tow bar which helped, be careful not to hit your truck. Chances are it will pop right out, then just clean everything up inside the coupler.