Thursday, Oct 09, 2014 at 14:00
Humpback, there's no reason why you should have major problems with a Wesco hitch when uncoupling - apart from pressure on the hitch due to either 'van or vehicle brakes not being set.
Wesco are a good hitch, I have used them for over 45 years and never had a major problem with them.
If either 'van or vehicle is not on level ground, and brakes are not effectively set on both, then you'll always have problems unhitching.
Having one on a level area, while the other is on an angled slope will cause unhitching difficulties.
The other area to examine is whether dirt or some metal protrusion (unfinished edge on the casting), or some other contaminant is stopping the hitch release latch from lifting away from the ball far enough, to allow the ball to slip out.
You may need to do some grinding with a pencil grinder or Dremel tool to clean up any protrusions.
Here's what I'd also do. Lube the latch sliding portion and the inside of the hitch where the ball sits, with a good dry lubricant (door lock spray lube is good - don't use ordinary grease, it will only dry out and go gummy with dusty roads).
Remove your towball and lift the latch release and insert the towball into the latch. If you don't want to go to the trouble of removing the towball, source a spare towball that is new or in good condition.
Release the latch and clamp the towball in position.
Adjust the adjusting bolt in, until it clamps securely on the ball.
Back it off half a turn until the ball can be swivelled easily with just a small amount of clearance.
You don't want a lot of clearance, this will cause regular "clunking" when towing.
Pull up the release latch and ensure the towball releases cleanly with plenty of clearance between the latch and ball.
This clearance between latch and towball should be around 2 or 3mm at a minimum.
If the towball only just barely comes out with the latch fully lifted, then you need to increase the latch travel, by grinding the latch release mechanism or hitch casting, where the interference is occurring.
You can also check the leading edge of the latch in the curved portion that fits under the ball, for sharp edges or roughness, that could also be creating difficulties in towball release.
Be careful about grinding too much off this area, you just need to have a smooth, curved finish, that facilitates release of the towball.
Cheers, Ron.
AnswerID:
540131