A little bit of play is acceptable, the coupler should be tight enough that the coupler won't come off the ball, but not so tight you can't close the latch. I typically tighten the coupler up until I feel a slight resistance when closing the coupler latch, then I'll back it off slightly from there.
Some hitches only require around 100 foot-pounds of torque, while others require 150 foot-pounds or more. Make sure you have the proper tool to safely torque your hitch into place.
Expert Reply: Correct, there will need to be a small amount of wiggle room or play between the trailer coupler and hitch ball which is to allow the trailer to track and turn smoothly. If the connection point between the trailer coupler and hitch ball was too tight then the trailer would not track or turn correctly.
The fit should be snug but not too tight (binding) and if left too loose there is a danger of the coupler detaching from the hitch ball.
Expert Reply: When installing a trailer hitch like # 75658 it is necessary to use a torque wrench to get the bolts to the right tightness. If not, and you just try to tighten them as hard as you can, you can damage the vehicle frame. Too loose and the hitch could fail when you tried to use it.
(It is okay for a hitch ball to be up to 1-inch higher than the coupler to account for vehicle rear-end squat.)
Three Easy Steps! Slide the ball mount into the trailer hitch. Insert the hitch pin through the hole in the receiver and ball mount. Secure the hitch pin by inserting the straight leg of the clip in the hitch pin.
If the washer fills to the selected level and you hear the motor running but the washer is not agitating, set the dial on the spin cycle. If the washer drains the water and you hear the motor running (making noise but not spinning), it is likely you have a broken motor coupler.
The most common causes for trailer sway are improper weight distribution, tight turns, steep roads, high-speed driving, a tall truck passing, crosswinds, over-steering, and under-inflated tires.
Often when we see hitch racks wobble, either the hitch bolt is not tight enough, or it's not properly installed. Lift up gently to relieve some of the weight of the rack from the receiver bar to ensure it's threading in completely.
To sum up, torque plays a greater role in towing than horsepower. This is because of the 'low-end rpm' generated by the higher levels of torque, which allows the engine to easily carry heavy loads. A high torque vehicle will be able to tow trailers or other objects with an extremely low value of rpm.
If you have too much weight distribution, it is called Over Distribution, and can cause brake and axle fatigue and failure.
Torque moves the vehicle from a stop and helps it get up steep hills. As such, more torque is required to start a heavier vehicle than a lighter one. That's why torque is useful when towing -- torque is what allows you to pull heavy loads.
Expert Reply: A little bit of play is acceptable, the coupler should be tight enough that the coupler won't come off the ball, but not so tight you can't close the latch. I typically tighten the coupler up until I feel a slight resistance when closing the coupler latch, then I'll back it off slightly from there.
A too-high hitch is very dangerous. When the hitch height is higher than the trailer, the trailer will tip backwards, unbalanced and wobbly. This poor weight distribution will result in a hazardous driving situation for you and others on the road.
We normally recommend at least 11” of clearance from the bottom of your LOADED trailer hitch ball mount to the ground, no less. That 11” of clearance gives you some leeway for bumps, dips, and slanted driveways so that you do not scrape the bottom of your hitch.
You do not need to grease your trailer hitch ball. That is entirely up to you. However, greasing it is recommended. Greasing will help ensure that the trailer hitch ball keeps its structural integrity, and it will help prevent it from squeaking.
A hitch is a part that is attached to the chassis of your towing vehicle. The trailer coupler attaches to the hitch allowing you to tow your 5th wheel safely. The hitch can be a ball, pin, or a pintle and it's specifically designed to give way for swiveling to make towing your trailer safe and secure.