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or is worn, the trailer can come loose from the tow vehicle
and may cause death or serious injury.
THE TOW VEHICLE, HITCH AND BALL MUST HAVE A
RATED TOWING CAPACITY EQUAL TO OR GREATER
THAN THE TRAILER
. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE HITCH BALL BE
OF THE SAME SIZE AS THE COUPLER.
The ball size and load rating (capacity) are marked on the
ball. Hitch capacity is marked on the hitch.
Rock the ball to make sure it is tightened to the hitch,
and visually check that the hitch ball nut is solid against
the lock washer and hitch frame.
Wipe the inside and outside of the coupler. Clean and
visually inspect it for cracks and deformations. Feel the
inside of the coupler for worn spots and pits.
Be sure the coupler is secured tightly to the tongue of the
trailer. All coupler fasteners must be visibly solid against
the trailer frame.
The bottom surface of the coupler must be above the top
of the hitch ball. Use the tongue jackstand to support
Coupler-to-hitch mismatch can result in uncoupling,
leading to death or serious injury.
Be sure the LOAD RATING of the hitch ball is equal or
greater than the load rating of the coupler.
Be sure the SIZE of the hitch ball matches the size of
the ball coupler.
A worn, cracked or corroded hitch ball can fail while
towing and may result in death or serious injury.
Before coupling trailer, inspect the hitch ball for wear,
corrosion and cracks.
Replace worn or damaged hitch ball.
A loose hitchball nut can result in uncoupling, leading
to death or serious injury.
Be sure the hitch ball is tight to the hitch before coupling
the trailer.
the trailer tongue. Wood or concrete blocks may also
be used.
Lubricate the hitch ball and the inside of the coupler with
a thin layer of automotive bearing grease.
Slowly back up the tow vehicle so that the hitch ball is
near or aligned under the coupler.
Using the jackstand at the front of trailer (tongue), turn
the jackstand crank handle to raise the trailer. If the ball
coupler does not line up with the hitch ball, adjust the
position of the tow vehicle.
Open the coupler locking mechanism. Ball couplers have
a locking mechanism with an internal moving piece and
an outside handle. In the open position, the coupler is
able to drop fully onto the hitch ball.
Lower the trailer (Figure D) until the coupler fully engages
the hitch ball.
Figure D. Ball Hitch Coupling Mechanism
Engage the coupler locking mechanism. In the engaged
position, the locking mechanism securely holds the
coupler to the hitch ball.
Insert a pin or lock through the hole in the locking
mechanism.
Be sure the coupler is all the way on the hitch ball and
the locking mechanism is engaged. A properly engaged
locking mechanism will allow the coupler to raise the rear
of the tow vehicle. Using the trailer jackstand, verify that
you can raise the rear of the tow vehicle by 1 inch after
the coupler is locked to the hitch.
Lower the trailer so that its entire tongue weight is held
by the hitch.
Raise the jackstand to a height where it will not interfere
with the road.
2-INCH
TRAILER
COUPLER
2-INCH
BALL
TOW
VEHICLE
TRAILER GUIDELINES