JPL Posted February 8, 2018 Report Share Posted February 8, 2018 I have a 5000 lb 32000 gross weight Trailer Saver Air ride Hitch and I can't get it to close. I think I have broken a pin or some kind of linkage. I came loose and backed into it and now can't get it to lock in. Has anybody been into the hitch before? What does it take to rebuild it? HELP! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERO Maker Posted February 8, 2018 Report Share Posted February 8, 2018 Are you sure you're above the collar of the pin? Rocky & Sheri Rhoades '01 Volvo 770 2016 DRV Mobile Suites, HoustonHERO Makers Ministry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I'mdonewiththis forum Posted February 8, 2018 Report Share Posted February 8, 2018 Some hitches don't like the 1/4" thick teflon disk. Trailer Saver says you may need the 1/8" thick one IF you are using one. I was lucky and could use the thicker one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted February 8, 2018 Report Share Posted February 8, 2018 I had the 1/4" on my et hitch. It was very tight. I run nothing now but light grease. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan0043 Posted February 8, 2018 Report Share Posted February 8, 2018 Hi Guys, I don't think Pat changed anything on his trailer. He now has a problem with hooking up. That is how I am reading the thread. I think you can rebuild the head but I have not done that. Pat, have you called Trailer Saver tech line for any advice ? Just a thought. Al 2012 Volvo VNL 630 w/ I-Shift; D13 engine; " Veeger " Redwood, model 3401R ; 5th Wheel Trailer, " Dead Wood " 2006 Smart Car " Killer Frog " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HERO Maker Posted February 8, 2018 Report Share Posted February 8, 2018 You can call Dave @ TrailerSaver (if he is still there) 270-756-0284. The most common problem hooding up and locking that jaw is that the hitch height might have been moved just an 1/8 of an inch. If you say that you slipped out, then you need to reset the release arm so that the jaws will lock. If the jaws are hung up on the lower part (collar) of the pin, or the upper part, raise or lower the trailer to try again from the start. I know it sounds very obvious, but sometimes it happens and we need to start over as if you were backing into the pin for the first time. Rocky & Sheri Rhoades '01 Volvo 770 2016 DRV Mobile Suites, HoustonHERO Makers Ministry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeverEasy Posted February 8, 2018 Report Share Posted February 8, 2018 Pat, Bring it over here. We can compare it to mine and fix it. I also have another trailer saver with a good hitch on the ground. Chet Chet & Deb '01 Volvo 660 w/ Smart '19 Forest River Columbus 320RS 5th wheel 2022 Chev 2500HD Long Bed Retired CWO4, USN and federal service Electronics Tech/Network Engineer/Welder/Machinist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Posted February 8, 2018 Report Share Posted February 8, 2018 I am sure you already know this but there is a position where the handle will lock in the open position. I’ve never been able to get lock there consistently when I wanted it to. If this is what has happened just pull the safety catch to release. Nigel 2006 Volvo VNL 430, 2006 smart cabrio cdi, 2000 Triple E Topaz 30' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lockmup68 Posted February 8, 2018 Report Share Posted February 8, 2018 Mine will not lock if I have too much weight on the hitch head. It likes a light weight and locks fine, then I lower the jacks all the way. 2003 International Eagle 9200i, Cummins ISX, Freedomline 2007 Teton Scottsdale XT4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPL Posted February 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2018 Thanks for all of the help. I'll call the H/L tomorrow. As I was pulling out the pin came loose from the hitch. I had not locked it in. then when I tried to get it back in it wouldn't lock. I even backed off and tried it again. Still no luck. Chet (NeverEasy) Has a hitch so Monday we will look at this thing real Hard! I'll look at it again in the morning. I will also call the hot line. Again Thanks everybody for ideas and info. Pat The Old Sailor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sclord2002 Posted February 9, 2018 Report Share Posted February 9, 2018 As others have suggested, make sure the jaws are not hitting the top or bottom collar of the pin. Also make sure the spring loaded pin is not holding the locking block in the retracted position. it is possible that excessive side to side pressure on the jaws and pin could keep the jaws from allowing the locking block from going into place between the front horns of the jaws, [Front is the end of the truck where the radiator is]. Not trying to be a smart a$$ but rather to lend clarity as to front and rear of hitch and jaws. A broken lock block spring could prevent the lock block from being pushed back beteen the front horns of the jaws. If that were the case, then manually moving the release handle rearward while the pin is properly aligned in the hitch would push the lock block into the proper position. If the spring is broken or very weak then you would need to place a block or something in front of the locking block to prevent it from sliding forward and allowing the jaws to open when you don't want them to. The Binkley heads and jaws are robust but the jaws, pin and locking block must be in alignment with each other before the jaws can lock around the pin and be held closed by the lock block., I hope this helps. Charlie Don't ever tell a soldier that he doesn't understand the cost of war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazybanshee Posted February 9, 2018 Report Share Posted February 9, 2018 After twelve years of use I bought a new hitch head from T/S for $500 this summer. Fixed all the problems I was having. 2007 Volvo 780 Ultrashift Trailersaver Hitch 2017 Momentum 397th 3 Yamaha Banshees 2 Honda 400EX's Polaris Outlaw 50 Polaris Outlaw 110 EFi 2018 Polaris RZR S 1000 Stealth Black 2019 Polaris RZR S 1000 Titanium Matte Metal 2015 Polaris RZR S 900 VooDoo Blue https://i.imgur.com/e0ajU8Pl.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redcrzr Posted February 9, 2018 Report Share Posted February 9, 2018 My TS did the opposite as yours. After being hooked up for a couple of days I couldn't get the jaws to release. After much & I mean much persuasion, we were able to get them open. It then required even more work (heat & hammer) to remove the jaw pins. Had to take it to a fabrication shop. Not sure how he did it, I couldn't. Cleaned & never seized the pins, replaced the springs & all is good. Todd E. “…nothing so liberalizes a man and expands the kindly instincts that nature put in him as travel and contact with many kinds of people.” – Mark Twain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted February 9, 2018 Report Share Posted February 9, 2018 Mine not seem a lot of use. It got stubborn to release. Oiled it good and works beautiful. Now anytime I am around truck doing anything, I shoot some oil on it. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted February 9, 2018 Report Share Posted February 9, 2018 On our old TrailerSave, year 2000 vintage, when it starts to have issues locking, it's time for a cleaning. I use grease on the jaws and pins, and lithium grease on the block and handle assembly. After a while, the build-up of road crud and dirt makes it hard to operate. What I do is back the truck into a car wash bay, use the engine degreaser foam/spray from the carwash, then power wash the hitch. Let it dry and apply a new coat of grease. I do this about every 6 months. When I back into the pin to hook up, if the jaws don't close and lock on the first little push, it's time for a cleaning. Alie & Jim + 8 paws 2017 DRV Memphis BART- 1998 Volvo 610 Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted February 9, 2018 Report Share Posted February 9, 2018 Try some PB Blaster on it. Good stuff 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted February 9, 2018 Report Share Posted February 9, 2018 57 minutes ago, GlennWest said: Try some PB Blaster on it. Good stuff Heck yes it is! "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPL Posted February 10, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2018 I called the number for Dave but it has been disconnected. I checked the # and it was as listed. I will clean it. I know it hasn't been cleaned in 7 years. Does anybody have a good # for T/S? I'll be checking more closely with Chet(NeverEasy) Monday. Hope the issue is simple. I'm doing a boat show all weekend so can't do much till Monday. Getting a new head sounds like a good idea. Thanks again for all comments and ideas. Pat The Old Sailor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted February 10, 2018 Report Share Posted February 10, 2018 As above, spray it with a good penetrating oil. If you have access to it, Pene-Phite works great, as it leaves dry graphite behind, but Kroil, PB Blaster, or any number of commercial fluids will work. You might get lucky and not need a new head. Just don't waste your time with WD-40. KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted February 10, 2018 Report Share Posted February 10, 2018 1 hour ago, JPL said: I called the number for Dave but it has been disconnected. I checked the # and it was as listed. I will clean it. I know it hasn't been cleaned in 7 years. Does anybody have a good # for T/S? I'll be checking more closely with Chet(NeverEasy) Monday. Hope the issue is simple. I'm doing a boat show all weekend so can't do much till Monday. Getting a new head sounds like a good idea. Thanks again for all comments and ideas. Pat The Old Sailor Dave hasn't been at TrailerSaver since he sold it to Hensley. He then started several other hitch companies with one of the latest being Comfort Ride. He sold Comfort to Rick Olson. Alie & Jim + 8 paws 2017 DRV Memphis BART- 1998 Volvo 610 Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chief916 Posted February 10, 2018 Report Share Posted February 10, 2018 On 2/8/2018 at 5:34 PM, lockmup68 said: Mine will not lock if I have too much weight on the hitch head. It likes a light weight and locks fine, then I lower the jacks all the way. That's how mine works. I back in with about a inch to inch and a half so that my plate pivots down and the hitch locks. Then I lower the trailer all the way down. I've always used a 1/8th Teflon disk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesertMiner Posted February 10, 2018 Report Share Posted February 10, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Williams Posted February 11, 2018 Report Share Posted February 11, 2018 Same thing happened to mine. The jaws can get a little rust on them and not move freely. Backing into the pin would not close the jaws. When backed into the pin I used a bar to push the jaws to the center lock position, then the lock slide moved into place. I couldn't move my jaws by hand so I sprayed them down with silicon lubricant and worked them in and out with a cheater bar. They loosened up to the point I could move them by hand with light pressure. I now keep the hitch covered to keep rain and dirt off of it and I spray it down before and after each use and about every two weeks when not in use. No problems since starting a preventive maintenance routine. 2006 Freightliner M2-112 Sportchassis 2015 Keystone Raptor 412-TS Lots of motorcycles and toys Murfreesboro, TN. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted February 11, 2018 Report Share Posted February 11, 2018 13 hours ago, Chuck Williams said: I now keep the hitch covered to keep rain and dirt off of it and I spray it down before and after each use and about every two weeks when not in use. No problems since starting a preventive maintenance routine. If you can, that is the thing to do - protect the hitch. Let's face it, most of our hitches spend 99% of their time just sitting out in the weather. I wish the manufacturers would provide fitted covers. Trailersaver has them, and I had one made for my ET. But the hitch manufacturers should be offering these, IMO. Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted February 11, 2018 Report Share Posted February 11, 2018 I made one for mine but to be honest haven’t used it much. Before that found a grill cover at Lowes with a drawstring which worked pretty well. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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