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Old 11-26-2014, 12:44 PM   #41
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Name: sharon
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perhaps we're over-thinking this. if you look at radar1's pic, the handle (lock) assembly is in the closed/locked position. in order to hookup, you have to lift the handle up to the open/unlocked position, put the hitch down over the ball, then push the handle down to close/lock it. (not trying to be mean, I didn't get it at first!)
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Old 11-26-2014, 12:49 PM   #42
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Definitely hard to diagnose a problem we can't see for ourselves, but I think Dave's guess is as good as any, and that was that the deliverer may have adjusted it to fit his worn ball, and in doing so, made it too tight for a new ball.
I recall trying to use a 2" ball on a British trailer when I was in England. Even though the difference between the 2" ball (which is 50.8mm) and the British coupler (50mm) was only 0.8mm, the 2" ball was too big to fit the coupler.
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Old 11-26-2014, 12:57 PM   #43
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In my opinion,When they finally get the adjuster nut loose it will probably be fine at that point. All 2" balls are not exactly the same and i've had to re-adjust that nut with different 2" hitch balls.
Just because it worked on the tow vehicle that towed it to you doesn't mean it will slip on easily to your hitch.... If it did originally fit yours and now it doesn't then that would be different
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Old 11-26-2014, 01:24 PM   #44
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Originally Posted by ColoRockiesFan View Post
Hi GK, hopefully someone experienced with the Scamp hitch will come along. But, meanwhile, with my Escape, I cannot release the latch unless the ball is slighly forward. I try to back until the ball is nearly under the hitch but slightly forward so that the hitch slides down over the part of the ball closest to the truck. Then, the latch will release. If I place the ball directly under the hitch or too far back, the latch will not release.
I'm going to agree with this post. Have that problem with a utility trailer I own. The part in the hitch that pulls up under the ball when you push the latch down can easily get caught above the ball if you come straight down on the ball.

You can feel that locking collar, or look up and see that it is under the ball, if it is not the latch won't move down to the locking position. The collar that the latch lever is attached to is essentially wedged between the ball and the tongue socket.

Lowering the trailer with the ball toward the front of the tongue (enough that the trailer actually moves forward a bit as it is lowered) can help get the ball in front of the latch collar. As can putting some rearward pressure on the base of the latch lever when lowering.

Newish latch and collar will tend to be tighter than one worn in a bit, never used my utility trailer all that often so it tends to be tighter, the old scamp on the other hand is worn enough that it drops in and latches pretty easily.

By collar I mean underjaw as labeled in pictures of previous post.
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Old 11-26-2014, 03:09 PM   #45
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PB Blaster works well!

Have you tried: PB Blaster? It's amazing stuff. Never fails to loosen stubborn nuts, except my husband!

Blaster 11 oz. Penetrating Catalyst Lubricant-16PB-THD at The Home Depot

I had similar trouble with a hitch and the spring was too tight. Loosened the nut a bit and all was well.

GOOD LUCK,
Fran
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Old 11-26-2014, 04:02 PM   #46
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The coupler in my Scamp 19 NEVER locked after it dropped on the ball even once during the entire time I owned it. I had a fairly strong magnet on the lower side of the coupler which held the lower lever or whatever it is called (it contacts the lower curve of the ball) in the "most open position." Without fail, I always had to "jerk" the TV forward a bit. Until I did this, the coupler simply would not lock. I would get into the bed of the truck, have my spouse pull it forward slowly while I completed the locking process by pulling the rod that is welded on the locking mechanism forward. Invariably, it popped down an locked as soon as the TV moved forward a bit. Must have done it this way 200 times at least. Yet it would unlock and come off the ball easily.



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Old 11-26-2014, 06:09 PM   #47
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Hello all, finally the issue is resolved. The guy from the local auto store was able to stop by and use a nut gun to loosen the coupler adjustment nut. He then put the ball in and put the latch down and tightened the nut enough.

So basically someone messed with the nut. No way a 2 inch ball could have fit in there and the latch closed.

Always keep a lug wrench.


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Old 11-26-2014, 06:24 PM   #48
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Great...... A nice simple Fix.
Enjoy your new trailer
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Old 11-26-2014, 06:27 PM   #49
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Glad you got it fixed, G K. Whatever you had to pay the guy from the auto store, you should pass the bill onto Scamp. It sounds like a warranty issue to me.
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Old 11-26-2014, 06:58 PM   #50
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Great news!
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Old 11-26-2014, 07:26 PM   #51
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Glad you got it fixed, G K. Whatever you had to pay the guy from the auto store, you should pass the bill onto Scamp. It sounds like a warranty issue to me.
I am torn on this, I wish they would have offered to pay for the inconvenience. On the other hand I am glad it is fixed and done with. I paid $60 for the service, but the hard part was the inconvenience and hours spent to figure out the solution. Oh well, life is like that.

Happy Thanksgiving folks.
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Old 11-26-2014, 08:01 PM   #52
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Now you get to change your info so your new trailer shows up under your screen name. Woohoo, you're an owner!
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Old 11-26-2014, 08:05 PM   #53
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I am torn on this, I wish they would have offered to pay for the inconvenience. On the other hand I am glad it is fixed and done with. I paid $60 for the service, but the hard part was the inconvenience and hours spent to figure out the solution. Oh well, life is like that.

Happy Thanksgiving folks.
If businesses had to pay for inconvenience, every airline in the country would be bankrupt in a week.
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Old 11-26-2014, 08:17 PM   #54
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So basically someone messed with the nut. No way a 2 inch ball could have fit in there and the latch closed.

Glad you got squared away. Any comments from the guy that stopped by to what was causing the nut from turning ?
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Old 11-26-2014, 08:18 PM   #55
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It was some special nut with some plastic at the bottom. Can't remember the exact name. He had to use a nut gun.


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Old 11-26-2014, 08:25 PM   #56
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It was some special nut with some plastic at the bottom. Can't remember the exact name. He had to use a nut gun.


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That a Lock Nut or sometimes called an a Aircraft Nut.... that plastic at the end keeps it from vibrating loose
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Old 11-26-2014, 08:31 PM   #57
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Also called a nylock nut. The insert is usually nylon.


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Old 11-27-2014, 06:48 AM   #58
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Unless the guy who delivered the trailer was lying ( and why would he?), my guess is someone who originally hooked the trailer up for delivery saw a smaller ball and adjusted the nut to fit. Glad it's good now!
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Old 11-27-2014, 09:38 AM   #59
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Originally Posted by reachg View Post

So basically someone messed with the nut. No way a 2 inch ball could have fit in there and the latch closed.

Always keep a lug wrench.


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Yup carrying one in your trailer is always a good idea. As is carrying a wrench for the ball nut. Never know over time when you may need to adjust the hitch on your own set up but if there is ever an situation where your not able to tow your trailer with your own vehicle you may well need it to adjust it to fit the tug that is going to tow it for you or to switch your ball over to their tug as their tug has a different size.

Have over the years been around 3 situations where someone else had to pull another parties trailer due to a tug brake down or a medical emergency preventing the owner of the trailer from pulling it themselves.
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