Fixing Trailer Hitch Coupler Problems (Hitch Won’t Lock Down)
It is a risky situation. If you are having trailer hitch coupler problems, the best thing to do is not to force the solution. There are better ways to handle the problem and if you force it, you may eliminate those options as well as any manufacturer help
There is a two-step process you need to follow. The first step is to get a spare ball and put the coupler on it. If the fit is snug yet the trailer can still turn, then fine. If not, adjust the lever till you get the right fit and the trailer will be able to turn smoothly.
To learn more about this issue, just continue to read our article. It has the information you need to know about so you do not make a mistake and use force. Too much force can bend or break a vital part and then you need to buy a new coupler or parts for it.
Hitch Coupler Problems
Trailer Hitch Coupler Problems
For those that do not know, the coupler is the metal piece that bolts to your trailer’s tongue and then rests on the tow vehicle’s hitch ball. It is equipped with levers to make sure you get the right fit.
The right fit is where the trailer cannot get unhitched yet is loose enough to allow for smooth turning. There are two major problems you may have to deal with. One is wear and tear.
You may be using your trailer a lot and pushing the lever will wear out those internal clamp parts. When that happens, you may not get the secure fit. The second major problem will be the elements.
With enough exposure, the coupler’s parts may rust or succumb to corrosion. The parts do not move as well and the fit is less than desired. Or, the fit is looser than it should be making towing a risky venture.
Protecting your coupler from the elements is easy but it is difficult to protect against wear and tear. When parts wear out, you need to replace them as there is no real fix for this situation.
You can clean the corrosion and rust but that is no guarantee something did not get bent and won’t work right.
Do Trailer Couplers Wear Out?
Yes, they can but it will not be the overall coupler that wears out. It will be the smaller parts inside, like the clamp or the lever, that wear out. This takes place from being used more frequently than on a regular basis.
When you look at a side diagram of a coupler, you can see the parts that will be prone to wear out. There is a spring, a nut, a handle, and a clamp that are all prone to excessive wear and tear.
The spring may be the weakest part of this assembly and it can easily get bent if you apply the wrong type of force to the wrong spot. The body of the coupler should remain intact for a lifetime if it is not beaten up with a hammer or some other tool trying to get the clamp to work right.
The good news is that those internal parts can easily be replaced without replacing the whole assembly. But sometimes, replacing the whole assembly is the best way to go. Not always but sometimes.
The Trailer Hitch Won't Lock Down On The Ball
There are a couple of problems that may cause this situation. One is that the coupler was left open and out in the rain for some time. When that happens the metal parts inside may rust in a certain position keeping you from putting the coupler over the ball.
You can try lubricating the interior of the coupler, specifically all the moving parts. Or you can spray some WD-40 over those parts and see if that loosens the parts up so they will work normally. Penetrating oil is another option.
After waiting fifteen minutes, try the handle again and see if it has loosened up. If not, you may have to go and buy a new coupler. A second situation is where the flapper gets lodged in the upper part of the coupler.
This can happen quite often. All you need to do is spray some WD-40 or use penetrating oil and wait 15 minutes. Then put a flathead screwdriver in the slot at the top of the flapper and hit the screwdriver with a rubber mallet. Once it is free keep the parts lubricated.
Why Won't My Trailer Hitch Lock?
In the first solution to this problem, you may have to make a little adjustment. Inside the coupler is a little bolt that adjusts the clamp. If the clamp is too loose, then you need to adjust that bolt so the fit is tighter. If it is too tight, then adjust in the opposite direction.
It takes a little while to find that perfect fit. But this may not always be the problem. In the second solution, sometimes, the ball is too big for the hitch, and forcing the hitch over the ball can damage your trailer. The same goes for manipulating the ball.
The only real solution to this problem is to replace the ball with one that is the correct size. Check the reverse of that situation as well. If the ball is too small for your coupler, then it should not fit either and you will have trouble clamping the coupler to the ball.
Whatever you do, do not try hammering or forcing the ball into position. That action should bend the wrong parts and the coupler won’t work right. You may get it over the ball but the damage puts you at risk when you are towing.
How do You Fix a Hitch That Won't Latch?
Since the coupler has few moving parts, the solution to this problem is the same as other problems. You could go out and buy another coupler and see if that will solve the problem.
But that is spending money you shouldn’t until you know if that is the only solution. There is an adjustment nut inside the coupler. Work with that first and see if any adjustments you make solve the problem
It is a simple fix but it works most of the time. Then the problem may be that the ball is the wrong size. If that is the case, you will have to go out and get the right-sized ball. You can only do so much adjustment before replacement is the cure.
Also, check the spring. If that has worn out or has been bent, etc., then the coupler may not latch onto the ball. Replacing the spring is the best repair option in this case.
How Tight Should The Trailer Ball And Coupler Be?
This is one of those ‘do it by feel’ situations. There is no set number of turns you can make on the adjustment nut and you get a perfect fit. Everything is done by feel and experienced mechanics know exactly what is meant by that. It is just hard to explain.
The right fit is where you get a secure clamping of the coupler on the ball yet the trailer can smoothly keep turning when your tow vehicle turns. It is something you have to work at and learn ‘the feel’.
If you do not have the touch, get someone who understands this concept to help you. It will take several turns one way and the other to get to that perfect spot where everything will work just right.
How do You Maintain a Trailer Coupler?
The best way is to keep it out of the elements and that is not always possible if the coupler is welded into place. If it is a bolt-on model, then you can unbolt it and store it in a dry location.
Then, you should lubricate it regularly. Whether in action or not, the elements do take their toll, and putting lubrication on all the moving parts protects them from rust and corrosion.
The lubricant that is recommended is lithium grease and you should put some on the ball as well. Keeping your hitch’s moving parts in top shape is vital when it comes to towing.
If you can’t unbolt the coupler, you can always use a cover or coupler sock to protect those parts from the elements but you would still need to lubricate them on a regular basis.
Some Final Words
Coupler problems happen to everyone from time to time. Making sure your coupler’s moving parts are well-maintained help you avoid those problems. Regular lubrication keeps rust and corrosion away.
Then, you should make sure you have the right-sized ball. If you don’t then you are asking for trouble. Watch out for any bent or damaged interior parts. They will stop you from going anywhere as they won’t be able to secure your trailer to your tow vehicle.
Replace parts as needed to make sure the coupler works all the time.
