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06-04-2014, 05:24 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Newport News Va
Posts: 662
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Unhitching problems
My 3065w Windjammer is at the dealer for some warranty work. Black tank sensors were not working. When I dropped the TT off, once again had a LOT of trouble getting it unhitched. They called service techs and with a lot of hassle they were able to get it unhitched. I have had this problem in the past, when I first purchased it and got it home I had to call the dealer to respond to get it unhitched. The ball mount on my tow vehicle angle was adjusted and they said that should take care of the problem. Finally got to take my first trip, towed fine no problems, even unhitched ok, (not great but OK) I figured it would loosen a little after towing a few hundred miles. Well I did get my sensors repaired and they have determined that the ball hitch on the TT needs to be replaced. They said they have never run into this problem before. So that whole unit needs to be cut off and replaced with a new one, seems kinda bizarre to me. I have towed a lot of trailers mostly boat and equipment trailers and have never run had this issue. The hitch is a WD E2 10,000 lb . This is all under warranty , and no cost to me. Anyone had anything like this before ? Chuck in va
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06-04-2014, 07:03 PM
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#2
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2014 XLR 27HFS
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Clearwater, FL
Posts: 491
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I never had a problem with my first camper, but do with this one. Same thing, does not want to come off the ball. Last time out an ol' full timer came over and watched me struggle with it. Chatted with me for a bit. Then said, pull the pin outta the hitch and drive the truck off it. When I did that as soon as the hitch left the truck it fell to the ground. He tipped his beer, smiled, and strolled off. When I got home, same problem, used his trick and bang, it fell off. Looks goofy, but it beats fighting with it.
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Dave & Audrey
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06-04-2014, 07:07 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: top side land of Lincoln
Posts: 7,509
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When you cant get it unhitch , have you tried moving your tv just a little bit? Sometimes there is tooo much tension on the ball.
Other then that never had a problem.
__________________
2014 LaCrosse 323RST-TE-C
2009 Chevy 2500HD Z71
Seasonal
Zelda the campin dog
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06-04-2014, 07:14 PM
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#4
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NELA
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,221
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We were having the same problem with our V-Lite, discovered that the X chocks were binding so well it "couldn't find center". Either put the TV in neutral or don't put X-chocks on until AFTER unhitching.
Might not be your problem/solution...just sharing our experience.
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If age is a state of mind, and I've lost my mind, I'm AGELESS, right?
Give me 40 acres and I'll turn this rig around:
Flagstaff 5er 2014 8528 IKWS, Platinum Package, Regency Interior "Buffy"
F250 Super Duty 2013 Tuxedo Black "Biff"
Days camped 2014: 30
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06-04-2014, 07:38 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Williston ND
Posts: 353
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Weezer
We were having the same problem with our V-Lite, discovered that the X chocks were binding so well it "couldn't find center". Either put the TV in neutral or don't put X-chocks on until AFTER unhitching.
Might not be your problem/solution...just sharing our experience.
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We have never had this problem as we do not put X chocks in before trailer is level front to back and side to side. We have had several different dealers say they should be last item in first item off. Therefore trailer should already be unhitched.
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Dennis and Julie
2018 Wildcat 28SGX
2013 Chevy Silverado 2500HD
2012 Chevy Silverado 2500HD
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06-04-2014, 07:59 PM
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#6
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,173
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I've had it not want to let go a few times. Usually pulling the truck forward 1/2" releases the tension and I can get the hitch to let go. Sometimes it works just by leaning on the truck and giving a little shove, once I had to actually hop back in the cab and pull it forward.
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There's no use crying over spilt milk... unless it's on your keyboard.
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06-04-2014, 08:16 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Stanfordville
Posts: 144
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Same here, only towed with this TT and TV two times now, both were a bear to get off. Two nights ago I placed a 3' crow bar under lip of ball hitch and barred down on truck and she popped. Plenty of lube on everything too. Never had this problem and have towed every type trailer for forty years. Thought I was losing my touch.
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06-04-2014, 08:43 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BoCoMo
Posts: 2,784
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The ball on your hitchhead may need to be tilted slightly back. The ball is catching in the front side of the tongue. imo
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Brother Les
2013 Forest River Salem Hemisphere SBT312QBUD
2001 CrewCab F-250 7.3 PowerStroke Diesel
SuperChip, BTS transmission, 6.0 Trans Cooler
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06-04-2014, 10:11 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Stanfordville
Posts: 144
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Thanks, brother Les, I will give a try and post the results. She's set up now, washing and waxing and getting ready for first of season trip in a cpl weeks.
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06-05-2014, 06:06 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Newport News Va
Posts: 662
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Thanks for the responses. I have tried all those methods, the easiest one was removing the hitch pin and pulling the truck forward, then the whole works falls out just like it was not in a bind. I just not satisfied with that method, it should not be that difficult. Apparently the dealer it not satisfied with those fixes either. I am wondering if Forrest River got a bad bunch of hitches from their supplier. The dealer swears they have never run into this problem before and they are determined to fix it, which is good. Well , we will see after the new tongue hitch is installed. I just hope they know how to weld.
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06-05-2014, 07:08 AM
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#11
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Tipp City, OH
Posts: 7,154
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There may be an adjustment on the TT hitch also. Look underneath the hitch head and see if there is a bolt or nut that pulls the drawbar up on ball. It could be too tight. Also, put some lithium grease on the ball and keep a cover on it when not hitched. These may not fix your problem, but it's where I would start.
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2016 Georgetown 364TS
2017 Jeep Rubicon Recon toad
Nights Camped 2019 - 17
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06-05-2014, 07:35 AM
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#12
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles Firth
Thanks for the responses. I have tried all those methods, the easiest one was removing the hitch pin and pulling the truck forward, then the whole works falls out just like it was not in a bind. I just not satisfied with that method, it should not be that difficult. Apparently the dealer it not satisfied with those fixes either. I am wondering if Forrest River got a bad bunch of hitches from their supplier. The dealer swears they have never run into this problem before and they are determined to fix it, which is good. Well , we will see after the new tongue hitch is installed. I just hope they know how to weld.
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If it falls out when pulled, it is definitely a head adjustment that needs to be changed or you are putting pressure on it with the TV. Would NOT let the dealer cut the trailer hitch head off as it will accomplish nothing.
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06-05-2014, 07:39 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Stanfordville
Posts: 144
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That makes perfect sense. If it falls out, I doubt it needs a new hitch.
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06-05-2014, 07:46 AM
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#14
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Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: top side land of Lincoln
Posts: 7,509
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OldCoot
If it falls out when pulled, it is definitely a head adjustment that needs to be changed or you are putting pressure on it with the TV. Would NOT let the dealer cut the trailer hitch head off as it will accomplish nothing.
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X2 sounds like over kill.???
Grease it up good and find the sweet spot when unhitching.
Too much tension on the ball n coupler and mine wont unhitch either.
Good luck!
Sent from my DROID RAZR using Forest River Forums mobile app
__________________
2014 LaCrosse 323RST-TE-C
2009 Chevy 2500HD Z71
Seasonal
Zelda the campin dog
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06-05-2014, 08:30 AM
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#15
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles Firth
The ball mount on my tow vehicle angle was adjusted and they said that should take care of the problem.
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Adjusting the head assembly angle will affect weight distributing.
Make sure that the current angle is correct for weight distribution.
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Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
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06-05-2014, 09:04 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 285
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dave961
I never had a problem with my first camper, but do with this one. Same thing, does not want to come off the ball. Last time out an ol' full timer came over and watched me struggle with it. Chatted with me for a bit. Then said, pull the pin outta the hitch and drive the truck off it. When I did that as soon as the hitch left the truck it fell to the ground. He tipped his beer, smiled, and strolled off. When I got home, same problem, used his trick and bang, it fell off. Looks goofy, but it beats fighting with it.
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Have done this move many times to release...
__________________
Stefan
2014 - Sabre 36 QBOK
Nights camped 2014 - 38
Nights camped 2015 - 46
Nights camped 2016 - 43
Nights camped 2017 - 2
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06-05-2014, 09:06 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MtnGuy
Adjusting the head assembly angle will affect weight distributing.
Make sure that the current angle is correct for weight distribution.
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Any change made to adjustments of a W/D hitch affects other adjustments for (Proper Setup)! Youroo!!
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06-05-2014, 09:08 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Calgary, AB
Posts: 285
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles Firth
Thanks for the responses. I have tried all those methods, the easiest one was removing the hitch pin and pulling the truck forward, then the whole works falls out just like it was not in a bind. I just not satisfied with that method, it should not be that difficult. Apparently the dealer it not satisfied with those fixes either. I am wondering if Forrest River got a bad bunch of hitches from their supplier. The dealer swears they have never run into this problem before and they are determined to fix it, which is good. Well , we will see after the new tongue hitch is installed. I just hope they know how to weld.
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I would be more satisfied with this method then cutting off and replacing tongue
Have you tried pulling forward by inches after you have backed up insto spot etc, just to relieve tension before trying to unhitch. If it is falling off after pullint hitch pin, you are in a bind situation then and sometimes this is from backing up and/or backng up a slight hill or incline as this will lock it up tight.
__________________
Stefan
2014 - Sabre 36 QBOK
Nights camped 2014 - 38
Nights camped 2015 - 46
Nights camped 2016 - 43
Nights camped 2017 - 2
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06-05-2014, 09:18 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: BoCoMo
Posts: 2,784
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For those who remove the hitch pin and drive forward time after time should be very aware that that is not really a safe practice. There will come a time that the hitch will bind or the angle will be bad and something unexpected will happen. Find out why the ball head is sticking in the tongue and rectify that.
__________________
Brother Les
2013 Forest River Salem Hemisphere SBT312QBUD
2001 CrewCab F-250 7.3 PowerStroke Diesel
SuperChip, BTS transmission, 6.0 Trans Cooler
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06-05-2014, 09:29 AM
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#20
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 85
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I have found that there is more of an issue with our Windjammer than our previous Jayco, it would bind from time to time but usually pushing the hitch with my foot it would drop out. I have had an issue releasing the latch like the ball was too far back against so I move the truck forward a hair and then it ends up too far forward and have to move back for a clean release.
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Phil
2017 Ford F-350 Lariat Crew Cab 6.7L Powerstroke
2014 Rockwood Windjammer 3008W
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