Loose hitch ball

[JOE DRISSEL]

I think i'am good at checking thngs over, but while unhitching after our friday night outing I was shocked to find the nut was lose. That will not happen again.

[Donna D.]

I had U-Haul install a 6000# hitch ball on the receiver for my trailer. They used a torque wrench to do the install. Was the ball on your receiver "torqued" to specs on the initial install? I was warned if I removed the ball from the receiver to make certain on re-install to use a new washer.

Glad there was no repercussions for you!

[Darwin Maring]

The split lock washer: It is designed to be used only once. Install, tighten and should you have to remove the nut at a future date, you should use a new split lock washer.

Here is what I do: I use the lock washer and then tighten the nut and then drill a hole through the bottom of the nut all the way through to the other side and insert a nail and bend the end so it can not come out. That way, it can not come unscrewed and fall off.