I just brought home a used Featherlite 3 horse trailer and a 2008 Dodge 3500. We got it up the driveway and had it at the barn. I went to unhook it today and we could not get it released from the ball. We pull the pin up and then slide the collar towards the cabin of the truck. Used the electric jacks to lift the trailer but only succeeded in lifting up the truck back end (not off the ground but all the weight was off the leaf springs). We put the trailer down, slightly moved forward/backward and tried again but no luck. It’s really stuck on there. I have no idea what to try next. Both the truck/trailer are from my in laws and it was hooked up before we got there. They said this has never happened before. Any ideas?
Posted 2018-09-23 7:37 PM (#171887 - in reply to #171886) Subject: RE: Gooseneck trailer stuck on ball
Expert
Posts: 1871
Location: NY
Did you try to spray and lube on the ball and hitch over night ? If that dose not work you are going to have to unbolt the neck of the trailer form the trailer and lift the trailer up and them take the two stuck parts to a shop and see how bad it is
Posted 2018-09-24 3:36 PM (#171890 - in reply to #171886) Subject: RE: Gooseneck trailer stuck on ball
Elite Veteran
Posts: 656
Location: Rayne, LA
I agree with Steve-O. I have trailers that you have to slide to the cab and others that go away from the cab, that's why I said go the other way. I have done exactly what was described and it wouldn't come unhooked because I actually tighten it up on the ball until I let the trailer back down and slide it the other way. I don't see how it can stuck either.
Posted 2018-09-25 9:04 AM (#171896 - in reply to #171886) Subject: RE: Gooseneck trailer stuck on ball
Elite Veteran
Posts: 785
Location: Tenn/Ala.
Well, I did have it happen once. I didn't lubricate the ball, and pulled different trailers every day as a dealer. Many years ago I pulled into a station that was a very steep slope. When doing it, I heard a loud squeak from the coupler area as the truck started uphill, and trailer was still on the flat. Pulled on through and got parked. Continued my trip on to the shop, and as I tried to unhook at the shop it did just as the OP described. Luckily it was a B&W, so I unhitched the ball and pulled it out that way, ball still in coupler. With the truck out of the way, we were able to twist the ball around in circles until it fell out. The top of the ball was seriously galded (to the point I replaced it) and from all indications the coupler had pressure welded itself to the ball due to the angle. The trailer in question was only a 23' L LQ, not a particularly large trailer either. Have never had it happen again.
Posted 2018-10-02 1:38 PM (#171915 - in reply to #171911) Subject: RE: Gooseneck trailer stuck on ball
Veteran
Posts: 183
Location: riverside ca
dose the hitch have a handle that pivots up and down? IF so that kind of coupler has a cam that is only secured by a roll pin that can easily shear off, you may be able to get a coat hanger in there to undo it but If it is that type i reccomend welding that cam.