Coupler latch Not Closing Properly. Please Help - Page 2 - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Tech > Towing and Hitching
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 12-30-2020, 06:24 AM   #21
Senior Member
 
Bill and Earline's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Signal Mountain (Chattanooga), Tennessee
Trailer: Escape 21 November 2014; 2022 GMC 1500 3.0L
Posts: 681
The best advice for coupler issues was said by Iowa Dave in post number 3:

"Look under the coupler." Literally. Lie down under the coupler and see what happens with the mechanism when you move the top part. This will help with hitching and unhitching, and with possibly needing to bang on something.

This design probably hasn't changed in 75 years. It probably isn't the best, but it is generally safe, or can be, if you can visualize what happens or needs to happen.
Bill and Earline is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2021, 02:42 PM   #22
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Tenino, Washington
Trailer: None yet
Posts: 2
I had the same problem but saw this product promoted elsewhere. Problem solved
https://www.amazon.com/3-IN-ONE-Trai...ct_top?ie=UTF8

Flint
Flint is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-07-2021, 04:45 PM   #23
Senior Member
 
jumboscott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Fredericksburg, Texas
Trailer: sold Airstream\Casita -2019 21' Escape
Posts: 190
Mine was stiff when I received trailer. It was frustrating getting it hitched. Overtime it started to seat normally, however I still have to line up ball just a little forward of coupler. I know when it's seated correctly and secure by inserting the pin and lowering the jack. I do spray silicone on coupler and ball each trip. Good luck.
jumboscott is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2021, 02:21 PM   #24
Senior Member
 
Mike G's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Trailer: 2012 E19
Posts: 1,733
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iowa Dave View Post
Hi Alf
I just came across the nicest old heavy hammer about a four pounder that I got at a garage sale somewhere. I knew it had potential and when I cleaned it up it’s a beauty with a very nice handle. I have it lined up on my bench with about 6 more. I really like hammers. hatchets, axes, mauls and wrecking bars too. American, Canadian, Swedish and German Steel. Can’t beat it.
Iowa Dave
You have all those big hammers, and you can't beat it??
__________________
Losing weight puts one at much greater risk of becoming thin.
Mike G is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2021, 02:47 PM   #25
Senior Member
 
Iowa Dave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,235
When I had a hammer

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike G View Post
You have all those big hammers, and you can't beat it??
Hi Mike
Out of High School in 1966 and also in the summers of 1967 and 1968 I worked in a grey iron foundry. We made crane counterweights for Link Belt Speeder cranes and large crusher wheels for Cedarapids brand rock crushers. Each day we would pour dozens of crusher wheels and a number (6 to 10) counterweights. As the wheels cooled but were still red hot they were removed from the sand mold which was encircled by heavy steel bands. This procedure was called the shakeout or knockout. The casting was lifted with an air powered chain hoist to about waist high. I worked with a recently released man who had been in the state penitentiary. His name was Roosevelt Green and we became friends. The two of us would stand on opposite sides of the mold and swing sledge hammers like they were baseball bats. Me a 10 or 12 pounder Roosevelt always a 16. We worked as a team and always had our share out before everyone else. Then we drank water. It was often 135 degrees in the foundry and we were soaking wet from sweat. We would stagger to the open overhead door leading outside and even in the shade, on a 90 degree afternoon, you would feel like shivering. It was in the summer of 1966 that I learned to work like a man and gained a respect for my fellow man regardless of his background. So l love hammers and the work they can do. I have a 2 ounce ballpein my mother used as an inspector on B29 parts during WWII and right on up to some big boys i can’t swing like I could 55 years ago. I saw Trini Lopez do the hammer song in person and it’s always been a favorite.
Iowa Dave
__________________
Ain’t no trouble jacking a double Burma Shave
Dave
Iowa Dave is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2021, 04:13 PM   #26
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Oriental, North Carolina
Trailer: 2023 Escape 21C
Posts: 158
Does anyone know if the coupler issue has been resolved? I would like to know if the coupler was faulty. Thanks
Greatboatz3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2021, 05:38 PM   #27
Senior Member
 
HABBERDABBER's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Madison area, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2016 Escape 19 Chevy 2012 Express 3500 Van
Posts: 1,734
Faulty, or quirky?

A bit of both, but the existing supplied unit works. Faulty? I do know that there are better couplers out there, but so far I've found mine to work, but be touchy in careful positioning of the ball beneath it.



But my other experience is from trailer sailboats, maybe less than 2/3rds the weight of my E19. It's a lot easier to shift those single axle trailers than a dual axle E19 travel trailer for accurate ball-to-coupler positioning.
HABBERDABBER is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2021, 06:18 PM   #28
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
Quote:
Originally Posted by Greatboatz3 View Post
Does anyone know if the coupler issue has been resolved? I would like to know if the coupler was faulty.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian B-P View Post
Either the yoke was defective, or someone trying to force it has bent it; either way, it can be pounded or pried back to where it should be.
And sure enough...
Quote:
Originally Posted by L in NV View Post
this is exactly what is going on. i tried gently banging on the yoke (i believe thats what the heel of my hand was hitting?) and it did move back some which allowed the teeth to sit correctly.
I doubt we'll ever know if the yoke was defective when manufactured, or someone trying to force it bent it before the owner received it.
Brian B-P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2021, 03:36 PM   #29
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Victoria, Texas
Trailer: 2020 Escape
Posts: 9
We were leaving for our first trip this weekend. At least we were. The coupler will not latch with or without ball. Call ETI sent video. They are discussing what to do. So we Have called And canceled our reservations. Looks like I will be having to modify this to get to a shop, cut off and replace with a decent coupler. Appears to have been stamped wrong.
DC Boyd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2021, 03:56 PM   #30
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,210
If coupler is defective they will grind off the weld. I would not use another ETI supplied RAM coupler however as they just are not as good as an Atwood yoke coupler it copied. I replaced my two year old RAM with an Atwood and have had no problems since, however one cannot buy an Atwood anymore after Dometic swallowed them. Many have gone with a Bulldog so I would be looking to see which one seems to work the best for our trailers and use that.
__________________
"We gotta get as far away as we can!"
- Russell Casse, Independence Day
Rossue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2021, 03:59 PM   #31
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Oriental, North Carolina
Trailer: 2023 Escape 21C
Posts: 158
Sorry about your trip. I’m sure I speak for all members that we hope you were fortunate enough to not suffer from the cold spell in Texas
Greatboatz3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2021, 04:50 PM   #32
Senior Member
 
Greg A's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Seventy Degrees"
Posts: 3,495
Very sorry to hear about your trip cancellation, but personally not surprised.
I had nothing but problems with the coupler from ETI and replaced mine with a Bulldog last year. The coupler is no longer a part of our camping frustrations.
Buy a quality coupler and get it replaced so this never happens in the future. Only could imagine if that had happened at the campsite when you were ready to come home.
Greg A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2021, 07:20 PM   #33
Commercial Member
 
tractors1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 - "Felicity"
Posts: 2,945
Had enough hassles with my 2014 coupler, so I ordered a Bulldog based on inputs from other campers and forums. Now to get it installed!
__________________
Charlie Y

Need custom storage to your design? Don't drill holes!
www.RVWidgetWorks.com
tractors1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-03-2021, 09:39 AM   #34
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Oriental, North Carolina
Trailer: 2023 Escape 21C
Posts: 158
Quote:
Originally Posted by DC Boyd View Post
We were leaving for our first trip this weekend. At least we were. The coupler will not latch with or without ball. Call ETI sent video. They are discussing what to do. So we Have called And canceled our reservations. Looks like I will be having to modify this to get to a shop, cut off and replace with a decent coupler. Appears to have been stamped wrong.
CD Boyd, Have been able to get your coupler to work and was ETI able to help resolve your problem?
I find it interesting that ETI has to have a video on how to unhitch you trailer.
Greatboatz3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2021, 08:37 AM   #35
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Boerne, Texas
Trailer: 2021 21C
Posts: 102
So I see a few members prefer the Bulldog coupler. I went to the Bulldog website and noted there are two different styles. Is there a preferred style? I have a bulldog on a utility trailer now and although I have no doubt it is secure once it is latched I find it difficult latching and unlatching.
Ryanb-72 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2021, 09:42 AM   #36
Senior Member
 
rubicon327's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,126
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryanb-72 View Post
So I see a few members prefer the Bulldog coupler. I went to the Bulldog website and noted there are two different styles. Is there a preferred style? I have a bulldog on a utility trailer now and although I have no doubt it is secure once it is latched I find it difficult latching and unlatching.
I asked a similar question previously. It sounds like most are going with the 7000# with low profile latch.
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post366329
https://www.bulldogproducts.net/prod...railer-coupler
__________________
Mods to Rubicon: https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post249508
“One way to get the most out of life is to look upon it as an adventure.”― W.F.
rubicon327 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2021, 12:51 PM   #37
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Tacoma, Washington
Trailer: 2020 Escape 21
Posts: 174
Quote:
Originally Posted by HABBERDABBER View Post
A bit of both, but the existing supplied unit works. Faulty? I do know that there are better couplers out there, but so far I've found mine to work, but be touchy in careful positioning of the ball beneath it.



But my other experience is from trailer sailboats, maybe less than 2/3rds the weight of my E19. It's a lot easier to shift those single axle trailers than a dual axle E19 travel trailer for accurate ball-to-coupler positioning.
I think you nailed it on the head--I've towed many boats had never run into the issues I initially had with my escape coupler. Over time it loosened up and I've learned (thanks to the advice from this forum) to keep it well lubricated with lithium grease, which is essential. The option that I had with boats--to lean on the trailer tongue to get it to seat--simply isn't available with the escape.
cityofdestiny is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2021, 05:16 PM   #38
Senior Member
 
fudge_brownie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Janesville, WI, Wisconsin
Trailer: Escape 19 (sold) Escape 21 2014
Posts: 1,879
I am not sure it is essential that you choose the 7000# model of the Bulldog hitch. After all the Escape trailer is a 5000# trailer, chances are your ball is 5000# and your hitch may also be 5000#. What is available maybe a better criteria, price difference is probably minor, weight?, shipping? are other considerations.
__________________
Paul and Janet Braun
2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 now 2012 Toyota Sequoia V8
Escape 19' 2010 now 2014 Escape 21'
fudge_brownie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2021, 09:07 PM   #39
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Victoria, Texas
Trailer: 2020 Escape
Posts: 9
This is what ETI recommended to me with this problem. Place a 2x4 on upper part of latch and give a good wack with sledge. Worked like a charm. Did not have to cancel my first weekend trip.
The send a picture of where to place the 2x4. The upper part was bent not allowing ears to engage the frame and lock in place.
DC Boyd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2021, 09:16 PM   #40
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,210
That will only wear down the prongs over time. What I found almost by accident and use it regularly is:

First, while level and unhooking open the yoke. When on a downhill slope mostly flat put a chock 6" forward of the front tire and roll onto it. If slightly or more downhill put a chock behind.

Works the same when hitching and want to fully close to our hitch on in.
__________________
"We gotta get as far away as we can!"
- Russell Casse, Independence Day
Rossue is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:17 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.