Hitch - Yes, Another Discussion

[JazzDad]

I thought I'd share my successful 'modification' to the trailer's hitch.


Last year, EVERY unhitching required up to 15 minutes of finagling to get the trailer off the truck's ball. Pry bars, hammers and screwdrivers were all pressed into service. This was frustrating, to say the least. (To say the most, I was considering setting the trailer afire.)



Before this 5K+ mile, 7 week trip, I got up inside the coupler and sanded out all of the paint, working from 60 grit up to 400. Guess what? No problem with uncoupling! (And the trailer never came unintentionally uncoupled, either!)







BTW, I lube the ball with just a small shot of bicycle cable & chain lube. It's much cleaner than lithium grease.

[JazzDad]

I guess no one wants to discuss this.


I would love to see Escape use this new Curt QuickPin No Latch coupler on their rigs.


Start watching at 8:15 -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwMGCgomHRU

[oldwave]

Originally Posted by JazzDad

I guess no one wants to discuss this.


I would love to see Escape use this new Curt QuickPin No Latch coupler on their rigs.


Start watching at 8:15 -

Looks very interesting. I expect the pin is a special hardened steel that will take the stress. Just grease and go.

[Escape_19]

I would expect that to be pretty loud on rough roads

[daniel108]

Why was there paint inside the hitch?

[bborzell]

It looks like it would be an improvement over the current offering which is a stamped assemblage of latches, pins, teeth and an ever present inclination to balk at closing.

Problem for me with the Curt is that it is stamped. I prefer the forged Bulldog clone I installed. It requires the ball to be under the coupler, but that is pretty much the extent of alignment requirements. The difference between hookup effort between the original ETI coupler and the one I replaced it with is day and night.

[escape artist]

Hi: JazzDad... Sorry... I'm a 5th wheeler!!! Had a camping neighbour who couldn't unlatch his coupler even with a hammer. I said "Why not just pull the stinger pin and pull the truck ahead. When he did the stinger fell on the ground by its self. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Johnspierce]

Thanks for the tip! The hitch Escape uses is VERY VERY tight when new; I had a lot of trouble getting it on and off the first few trips; I like this low-tech solution!

[MrLynn]

I wonder about the longevity of a simple round pin against the ball, versus the traditional shaped tongue (whatever it's called). That ball's going to be bouncing on the pin, and maybe wearing it in?

Would two pins be more secure and long-lasting?

Just speculating.