Posted 2006-07-21 10:14 AM (#45183) Subject: Gooseneck Coupling problem
Member
Posts: 7
Location: Grayson Co. Texas
I have a 4 horse 4 star with 8' living qtrs. It has the factory coupling on it. I have pulled this trailer approx. 30-40 times in the last 8 months. I have noticed that on the back side of my ball there is some wear on it that has eaten into the back of the ball. Not much but enough to tell. I looked inside the coupling and found just a little rough spot in the same line of raised metal where it seems to be eating at the ball. The rest of the hole for the ball seems pretty smooth. Should I just try to grind the rough spot down and replace the ball or what? It's not a dangerous problem now, but over time I can see it comprimising the ball. Thanks for your help.
Posted 2006-07-21 10:52 AM (#45185 - in reply to #45183) Subject: RE: Gooseneck Coupling problem
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
Take a grinder of some kind and grind off the rough spot. A dremel is small and easy to work with, If what you need to grind is not too big a chunk of metal.
Or wait for the ball to wear it off and replace the ball if it gets damaged.
And the third option is to replace the coupling if you feel it's not practical to grind off the imperfection.
Posted 2006-07-21 10:53 AM (#45186 - in reply to #45183) Subject: RE: Gooseneck Coupling problem
Veteran
Posts: 246 Location: Northern IN.
Just a fluke in quality-controll, I'd suspect. That's exactly what I'd do if it were on one of mine. Make sure to inspect the rest of the coupling REAL GOOD while ya have it out and cleaned up for any other problems. If it's a fairly new wagon ya might call four star and voice your concern and MAYBEE they'll be the kind of company they should be and send ya a new coupler for peace of mind, if it realy is a manufacturer mistake (and not the ball causing the problem). Worth a try. If it's a little burr ya should be O.K. to grind it away and go on.
Posted 2006-07-21 11:30 AM (#45190 - in reply to #45183) Subject: RE: Gooseneck Coupling problem
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1160 Location: Denver Colorado
If you look at most receiver hitches at the opening on the bottom of the square 2 inch tube, is a small ridge that should be ground down. It's part of the manufacture process that isn't finished. Never heard of it hurting a drawbar or shank, but it does put the pressure on one spot instead of the whole bottom side of a drawbar where it contracts the receiver.
Posted 2006-07-21 12:30 PM (#45193 - in reply to #45183) Subject: RE: Gooseneck Coupling problem
Elite Veteran
Posts: 634 Location: Tipton, IN
First, if this trailer was bought new n the last 8 months I would take it back to the dealer and have them put a new coupler on it under warranty. Second, if it is used, I subscribe to the posts above about using a dremel tool to grind the high spot off.
Posted 2006-07-21 2:19 PM (#45198 - in reply to #45193) Subject: RE: Gooseneck Coupling problem
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by efaubert1 on 2006-07-21 1:30 PM
First, if this trailer was bought new n the last 8 months I would take it back to the dealer and have them put a new coupler on it under warranty. Second, if it is used, I subscribe to the posts above about using a dremel tool to grind the high spot off.
ditto, and if it is a new trailer they owe you a new ball.
Posted 2006-07-21 7:36 PM (#45221 - in reply to #45183) Subject: RE: Gooseneck Coupling problem
Veteran
Posts: 246 Location: Northern IN.
YEAH, what Chadsalt said! You march right up to that dealership with half-a-mad on, look full in the service managers eyes and tell him.... "I came in here with two balls and I'm NOT leavin' till I've got three!!!"
Posted 2006-07-21 9:01 PM (#45223 - in reply to #45183) Subject: RE: Gooseneck Coupling problem
Member
Posts: 7
Location: Grayson Co. Texas
Thanks for the help. I'll try to grind it off. Its a couple years old, but the lady I bought it from only pulled it about 10 times. I called the dealer who did the paperwork and they basically told me since it's past a year I'm on my own.
Gooseneck Coupling problem
