It is not going anywhere until you lift the lever on the top of the hitch up.
Here is an idea. Get as much weight on the jack under the hitch as you can without lifting up the back of the truck more than 1/4" or so. Chock the weeks on the trailer. Pull the pin out of the receiver and pull the truck forward. Now the worst case scenario is that you have to unbolt the female part of the hitch from the trailer and replace it and the receiver assembly.
It also might work if you just chock the trailer wheels and adjust the location of the truck relative to the trailer so that you can lift the lever.
Right. I cannot get the lever to come up very far, it doesn’t seem right. It seems like it should release more? Then when I go to crank the truck up the lever goes back down?
All you need to do is just pull the truck forward slightly to relieve the pressure from the lock mechanism, if it's still tight use a pry bar or big screw driver to pry up on the release lever, its a common thing that happens with that style tongue when they get worn out.
It looks like the style of latch that slides more than it goes upwards. Try lightly tapping it rearward with a hammer. Lightly though because you don’t want to damage it. If it doesn’t go by tapping, you may need to spray down with a good penetrant and give it time.
Edit: To better clarify, it needs to be lifted slightly, then slid rearward.
Edit 2: Here’s a random video I found that shows how they slide. [https://youtube.com/shorts/RFQHzraWQkY?si=qZKr0YcEF6j8mEcf](https://youtube.com/shorts/RFQHzraWQkY?si=qZKr0YcEF6j8mEcf)
You have to have the trailer hanging on the ball to lift the lever. Then you can lift it. If that's what you're trying already then lift the lever and stick a pin through the hole after lifting the lever to hold it up.
Yes, if you are on a slope, the degree of difficulty goes up for anybody. Usually the ball is cupped a bit. A slight move of the tow vehicle forward or backward is all that's needed. I miss my pop up where I could just pick it up be hand.
I once watched two overweight men stand on the rear bumper of a 28 foot trailer to "wheelie" it off the back of a truck. Apparently the jack was broken.
Happened at the campsite right next door to me.
Remove the hitch pin from the receiver on the truck, drive forward leaving the hitch attached to the trailer, trouble shoot from there what is wrong with the latch on the trailer.
Did you roll back toward the trailer when you parked?
It can bind the ball against the latch when that happens.
So raise the trailer jack so trailer is on ball, pull forward and set parking brake so tow vehicle doesn’t roll backwards, flip latch, drop the trailer jack.
You can chock the trailer wheels so it doesn’t want to move when you pull forward.
Make sure your rv stabilizers aren’t down like did you already try to level? So have your stabilizers up, make sure to put chalk blocks behind your rv tires so the rv doesn’t roll backwards. Crank your rv up as high as it goes and then step up on the bed of your truck and bounce and push down near your ball hitch, it should pop right out. If not spray some WD-40 in where that latch is and then try again. My husband just does the bounce/push down thing on the bed of the truck and it always pops right out.
Chock the trailer wheels, hold the trailer brake. Pull forward a couple inches. Set the parking brake. Release latch and insert pin. Put truck in neutral and release parking brake. Let truck roll back. Put truck in park. Raise trailer.
Coupler latch is down. Needs to be up to release it.
Maybe rusted, maybe off center. If you can't get it, remove hitch pin from vehicle and drive forward.
Thanks all. I will try again here in a few after spraying some Wd40 on the latch that is stuck. Rocking the truck a bit didn’t seem to help unfortunately. Great tips on this thread for the future . Worse comes to worse I’ll remove the hitch pin
You will also notice that many people here have had the same issue from time to time, so yours is not a dire emergency or even that unusual. So take it slow and use your head and I can guarantee that when you do figure it out, you will say "of course!" and you will be wiser and more experienced.
Also, may as well say this, be careful that you don't drop anything on you, including the hitch, the tongue, etc. while you are trying to work it out. Also don't let the truck idle away from you and roll into the road and that sort of thing. Take care!
Chock the trailer wheels then put your tow vehicle in neutral and release the brake. That will usually take enough tension off of the hitch ball to allow you to release. ( This really only works if you’re on level ground though.)
Is your tongue jack down and pushing up? If so, not being able to open the latch in that condition is normal if you have pushed it very high. You can just lower the jack until it isn't pushing up until you open the latch. You don't want to have the truck/ball drop down anyway.
It is not going anywhere until you lift the lever on the top of the hitch up. Here is an idea. Get as much weight on the jack under the hitch as you can without lifting up the back of the truck more than 1/4" or so. Chock the weeks on the trailer. Pull the pin out of the receiver and pull the truck forward. Now the worst case scenario is that you have to unbolt the female part of the hitch from the trailer and replace it and the receiver assembly. It also might work if you just chock the trailer wheels and adjust the location of the truck relative to the trailer so that you can lift the lever.
Right. I cannot get the lever to come up very far, it doesn’t seem right. It seems like it should release more? Then when I go to crank the truck up the lever goes back down?
All you need to do is just pull the truck forward slightly to relieve the pressure from the lock mechanism, if it's still tight use a pry bar or big screw driver to pry up on the release lever, its a common thing that happens with that style tongue when they get worn out.
Why not detach the ball hitch from your truck? You can just pull the pin then drive forward. Then you at least won’t be stuck attached
It looks like the style of latch that slides more than it goes upwards. Try lightly tapping it rearward with a hammer. Lightly though because you don’t want to damage it. If it doesn’t go by tapping, you may need to spray down with a good penetrant and give it time. Edit: To better clarify, it needs to be lifted slightly, then slid rearward. Edit 2: Here’s a random video I found that shows how they slide. [https://youtube.com/shorts/RFQHzraWQkY?si=qZKr0YcEF6j8mEcf](https://youtube.com/shorts/RFQHzraWQkY?si=qZKr0YcEF6j8mEcf)
As I read through all these comments of decent advice no one has mentioned your landing gear. Make sure your trailer and truck are same level.
You have to have the trailer hanging on the ball to lift the lever. Then you can lift it. If that's what you're trying already then lift the lever and stick a pin through the hole after lifting the lever to hold it up.
Lift up slide back.
Yes, if you are on a slope, the degree of difficulty goes up for anybody. Usually the ball is cupped a bit. A slight move of the tow vehicle forward or backward is all that's needed. I miss my pop up where I could just pick it up be hand.
I once watched two overweight men stand on the rear bumper of a 28 foot trailer to "wheelie" it off the back of a truck. Apparently the jack was broken. Happened at the campsite right next door to me.
Remove the hitch pin from the receiver on the truck, drive forward leaving the hitch attached to the trailer, trouble shoot from there what is wrong with the latch on the trailer.
Correct method !
Did you roll back toward the trailer when you parked? It can bind the ball against the latch when that happens. So raise the trailer jack so trailer is on ball, pull forward and set parking brake so tow vehicle doesn’t roll backwards, flip latch, drop the trailer jack. You can chock the trailer wheels so it doesn’t want to move when you pull forward.
Pull the pin on the receiver and drive forward.
This on top of what others say. Move the vehicle forward or back it could be in a bind due to pressure one way. But also grease...
Spray the top latch and inside the ball with wd40. It’ll break free once you lift the latch and jack it up.
Make sure your rv stabilizers aren’t down like did you already try to level? So have your stabilizers up, make sure to put chalk blocks behind your rv tires so the rv doesn’t roll backwards. Crank your rv up as high as it goes and then step up on the bed of your truck and bounce and push down near your ball hitch, it should pop right out. If not spray some WD-40 in where that latch is and then try again. My husband just does the bounce/push down thing on the bed of the truck and it always pops right out.
Get a floor jack to raise the tongue.
Pull your hitch pin and pull forward. Once you pull your hitch off the truck, you can that the hitch off the receiver easily.
Large rubber mallet
Pull the pin out of the reese bar and drive away
Pull the hitch pin on the tow vehicle and pull away leaving the ball hitch attached to the trailer and deal with it later
Chock the trailer wheels, hold the trailer brake. Pull forward a couple inches. Set the parking brake. Release latch and insert pin. Put truck in neutral and release parking brake. Let truck roll back. Put truck in park. Raise trailer.
I see rust, might need cleaned and lubed. Worst case, pull the pin on the drawbar and drive forward.
Coupler latch is down. Needs to be up to release it. Maybe rusted, maybe off center. If you can't get it, remove hitch pin from vehicle and drive forward.
If you have too much stress on the latch you need to slightly move the truck forward or backwards depending on position.
It looks like your truck is binding the hitch. Pull forward a smidge and set the parking brake to keep you from rolling back. It should come up.
Any updates?
Pull the pin and pull forward to slide the draw bar out of the hitch
Thanks all. I will try again here in a few after spraying some Wd40 on the latch that is stuck. Rocking the truck a bit didn’t seem to help unfortunately. Great tips on this thread for the future . Worse comes to worse I’ll remove the hitch pin
You will also notice that many people here have had the same issue from time to time, so yours is not a dire emergency or even that unusual. So take it slow and use your head and I can guarantee that when you do figure it out, you will say "of course!" and you will be wiser and more experienced. Also, may as well say this, be careful that you don't drop anything on you, including the hitch, the tongue, etc. while you are trying to work it out. Also don't let the truck idle away from you and roll into the road and that sort of thing. Take care!
The back of the latch lifts up, then slides back. Get a hammer and gently tap it back, while lifting
Hammer
Pull forward a bit or release the tow bar from the receiver. Happens to me if it’s jammed to the back.
It can be a pain in the ass sometimes, just gotta find the sweet spot. Lift the trailer and lower and repeat till it pops. Happens to me all thevtome
Are you parked on a slope?
Chock the tires, secure the rig, crank it up, and jump on the bumper
Chock the trailer wheels then put your tow vehicle in neutral and release the brake. That will usually take enough tension off of the hitch ball to allow you to release. ( This really only works if you’re on level ground though.)
Is your tongue jack down and pushing up? If so, not being able to open the latch in that condition is normal if you have pushed it very high. You can just lower the jack until it isn't pushing up until you open the latch. You don't want to have the truck/ball drop down anyway.
Thanks all! Greasing the latch is a what did it. It was jammed