trailer coupler question

[k0wtz]

Pat I took a long motorcycle ride on time and dehydrated I have heard of you guys with this full time I was so sick I don't know how you all stand it!


blessings on you




bob

[Captain Dave]

I think two of the responses hit the nail on the head. All you need to do is lube up the ball and the hitch mechanism and make sure your trailer is not on an incline when hooking it up. Let it down onto the ball slowly, you may have to wiggle it a little but if you do the lube and level you shouldn't have any problems.

[Jane P.]

Originally Posted by Patricia D.

I am having trouble connecting and disconnecting my trailer and car. It is hard to tell if the ball is seated properly in the hitch and very hard to release it. I am interested to know if this coupler is original to Ventura trailers, if other owners find it hard to operate and if it is possible to replace it. It seems welded on way back onto the frame. Also, whether other Ventura owners use a 1 7/8 or 2 in ball.
Any opinions on if the mechanism can be changed would be appreciated. There was a recent thread about using a lock to make sure the connection is secure. With this present set up this is not possible and I would somehow like to change it.

Patricia,

You can easily replace any coupler. You should use a hitch specialist as they will cut off your coupler and weld the new one onto your tongue. However, I think it would be worth your time to work through the idiosyncrasies of your current coupler.

I have the same coupler as you. It replaced my original coupler & was highly recommended by my trailer service guy, an old timer whose opinion I trust. It does require the hitch be set exactly on the ball and be at the correct height. But if everything is correct, it opens & closes easily. I personally think that is a good thing.

My coupler does allow for a lock. If yours doesn't have holes, maybe you can have a hitch specialist take a look. Also, Please check out my second link as it describes a product - durasafe lock coupler protect - that may solve that problem.

When uncoupling, you should change the hitch height until the coupler releases. You'll eventually figure out if you need to raise or lower the hitch.

Because I tow the trailer by myself, I bought a coupler connection device which guides the coupler over the ball. This works super well for me. I use it in conjunction with magnetic yellow alignment balls when hitching up the trailer. Once the ball is seated properly your coupler will close easily.

Here's a link to the coupler connection device:

https://durasafelocks.com/product/coupler-connect/

https://durasafelocks.com/product/co...otect-systems/

Check out their demo videos.

FYI, this product includes a safety unit they call "coupler protect". You can buy the alignment guide alone for $10 less. But I like the extra "coupler protect" unit: it prevents the hitch from dislodging. If I put a lock on it the trailer is secured, and you have one more layer a potential thief has to cut through should you want to leave the trailer while traveling to say go into a restaurant or store. This may solve the lack of a hole for a lock.

Hope this helps.
Jane P.

[Patricia D.]

Thanks Jane. Since I will be traveling solo and am new to towing, I think I really need this. I will get the safety guard as well for peace of mind.

[Captain Dave]

Hi Gilles, Your suggestion to use liquid lube because it won't
hold abrasives like sand etc. sounds very reasonable. What do
you use. lithiul grease, something else? I am going to change!
Thanks, Dave

[Jane P.]

Originally Posted by Patricia D.

Thanks Jane. Since I will be traveling solo and am new to towing, I think I really need this. I will get the safety guard as well for peace of mind.

A word to the uninitiated: when using the coupler connect, make sure your trailer hitch is high enough to make contact with the device. If it's too low, it will not be able to guide the hitch over the ball.

Also check out the allignment balls:
https://www.amazon.com/TruePower-20-...5R2DK187V4HC1M

As an aside: I installed an aftermarket head unit with a large backup screen on my 2007 TV (use to have a small camera screen on my dashboard). Can't believe how easy this has made hitching up. Can't believe I could have bought this years ago!

Let me know how the coupler connect & protect works for you. Also, if you figure out your coupler & find it to be a keeper after all.

Have fun!

Jane

[War Eagle]

Patricia, Two observations and a suggestion: 1) it doesn't look like your coupler has the standard holes for locking the latch down (see mine below) although it looks like there is a circular indentation in the side of the latch where a hole would/should be, 2) your coupler has a bolt head aft of the latch that mine doesn't, is that for some kind of sliding adjustment that might affect snugness of fit for the ball? and 3) without hooking up to your trailer, I suggest you work the latch open and close and watch from top and bottom to learn how it works, then take just your ball mount (not attached to your tow vehicle), open the latch, lift the ball up into the coupler socket, and close the latch on the ball - again, just to see how the mechanism works with a ball in the socket (you might need a little help to do that). If the ball is a tight fit in the couple socket even when not hooked to the tow vehicle, then the problem is likely the coupler socket, and maybe that bolt head behind your latch handle affords you some mechanism for adjustment. By the way, I knew a guy who complained his coupler was worn out and loose on the ball, but it turned out he was using a 1 7/8" ball with a 2" coupler. Luck he didn't kill himself or someone else. So make sure you're mating apples with apples. Best of luck....

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by Captain Dave

Hi Gilles, Your suggestion to use liquid lube because it won't
hold abrasives like sand etc. sounds very reasonable. What do
you use. lithiul grease, something else? I am going to change!
Thanks, Dave

I 'mostly use WD-40.

There is also the motocross lubricant used for chains ...