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Trailer Coupler - How Secure Is It?
#11694081
06/28/16 08:04 PM
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 142
Fisher421
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 142 |
Recently bought an 18ft alum bass boat with a Load Rite trailer. When driving down the road and hitting a big pothole or bump, I can hear the coupler and ball bang against each other - makes me wonder how easy it would be for the coupler / ball to come unconnected. Any need to worry about this or try to find some sort of reinforcement? Definitely a greenhorn question so thanks for any feedback.
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Re: Trailer Coupler - How Secure Is It?
[Re: Fisher421]
#11694115
06/28/16 08:16 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 12,214
Cast
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 12,214 |
Make sure you have the right size ball.
Cast I have a short attention spa
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Re: Trailer Coupler - How Secure Is It?
[Re: Cast]
#11694443
06/28/16 10:18 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,695
jwcromer
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,695 |
this Make sure you have the right size ball. this
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Re: Trailer Coupler - How Secure Is It?
[Re: Fisher421]
#11694524
06/28/16 10:48 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,340
Bobby Milam
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
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Posts: 4,340 |
If you are using the proper size and connected it properly, it is pretty secure. I had a damaged coupler years ago that had a slight twist in it. It seemed to connect well but one day driving over some railroad tracks, the boat came disconnected and I watched as it passed my truck down the road.
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Re: Trailer Coupler - How Secure Is It?
[Re: Fisher421]
#11694555
06/28/16 11:06 PM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,769
bronco71
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
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Posts: 3,769 |
Best way to check it is to hook it up and jack up the tongue of the trailer with a good jack, if it comes off something is wrong.
Even if the ball is correct size it could be worn, this is common on our work trucks that pull trailers a lot.
If you are using a reciever hitch the slide in ball mount may be a little loose in the reciever, most are, and can cause noise.
1987 Nitro MX185/Mercury Black Max 150 1999 Triton TX21/225 Mercury Optimax
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Re: Trailer Coupler - How Secure Is It?
[Re: Fisher421]
#11694581
06/28/16 11:16 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 12,214
Cast
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 12,214 |
There ya go. Good catch, receiver clunk. I get this with light trailers.
Cast I have a short attention spa
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Re: Trailer Coupler - How Secure Is It?
[Re: Fisher421]
#11694623
06/28/16 11:48 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 94
WeighMasterTx
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 94 |
Check the NUT underneath the coupler......adjust if needed
Coastal Bend Weigh Team Since 1999
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Re: Trailer Coupler - How Secure Is It?
[Re: Fisher421]
#11694669
06/29/16 12:24 AM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,769
bronco71
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
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Posts: 3,769 |
Just thought of a couple more things that I have seen in the past.....check that the ball is TIGHT and that the hitch is bolted tight to the tow vehicle.
1987 Nitro MX185/Mercury Black Max 150 1999 Triton TX21/225 Mercury Optimax
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Re: Trailer Coupler - How Secure Is It?
[Re: Fisher421]
#11694710
06/29/16 12:58 AM
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Joined: May 2016
Posts: 142
Fisher421
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Great feedback - thanks for taking time to comment. I'll be following up on all the suggestions. I have to say - I love Bobby's comment, "the boat came disconnected and I watched it pass my truck down the road". Not something I want to see first hand!
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Re: Trailer Coupler - How Secure Is It?
[Re: Fisher421]
#11694882
06/29/16 02:26 AM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 23,368
SteezMacQueen
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Great feedback - thanks for taking time to comment. I'll be following up on all the suggestions. I have to say - I love Bobby's comment, "the boat came disconnected and I watched it pass my truck down the road". Not something I want to see first hand! you likely wouldn't if you have proper safety chains attached. .....just sayin
Eat. Sleep. Fish.
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Re: Trailer Coupler - How Secure Is It?
[Re: Fisher421]
#11694895
06/29/16 02:34 AM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,769
bronco71
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,769 |
LOL, reminds me of a time we were in a dunebuggy flying down a beach when a tire and wheel passed us..... it looked very familiar took several seconds to realize it was one of our rear tires....
1987 Nitro MX185/Mercury Black Max 150 1999 Triton TX21/225 Mercury Optimax
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Re: Trailer Coupler - How Secure Is It?
[Re: SteezMacQueen]
#11694939
06/29/16 03:00 AM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,340
Bobby Milam
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,340 |
Great feedback - thanks for taking time to comment. I'll be following up on all the suggestions. I have to say - I love Bobby's comment, "the boat came disconnected and I watched it pass my truck down the road". Not something I want to see first hand! you likely wouldn't if you have proper safety chains attached. .....just sayin Been 20 years ago and had them but they either came loose or snapped. Was young and stupid and obviously didn't have it maintained to where it should have been. Taught me a good lesson.
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Re: Trailer Coupler - How Secure Is It?
[Re: bronco71]
#11694945
06/29/16 03:02 AM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,340
Bobby Milam
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
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Posts: 4,340 |
LOL, reminds me of a time we were in a dunebuggy flying down a beach when a tire and wheel passed us..... it looked very familiar took several seconds to realize it was one of our rear tires.... LOL. Nothing like watching and wondering what is going to happen and there's nothing you can do about it. The nose of the trailer went about 2 houses down the road with sparks flying, caught a curb and turned into someones drive and came to a halt.
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Re: Trailer Coupler - How Secure Is It?
[Re: Fisher421]
#11695175
06/29/16 12:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,253
sandjohnny
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
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Posts: 6,253 |
Get a bulldog type and never have to worry. The regular kind come off all the time. Johnny
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Re: Trailer Coupler - How Secure Is It?
[Re: bronco71]
#11695845
06/29/16 06:00 PM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 14,066
Stump jumper
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 14,066 |
Just thought of a couple more things that I have seen in the past.....check that the ball is TIGHT and that the hitch is bolted tight to the tow vehicle. another common mistake is make sure you have the proper shank diameter. A hole that is more than a 1/16' larger diameter that the shank is asking for trouble. Buddy put one on his truck that was just a little small and it worked loose. Nut fell off and the then trailer.
2200 Bay Champ/200 Mercury Optimax 2017 Tundra TSS 4x4 Crewmax 5.7L
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