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**Yoda** · 02-21-2022, 11:36 PM

Originally posted by Cate&Rob View Post

Wildlife Cop

This hitch looks to be similar in operation to my Reese hitch. Once the jaws close around the pin, I can look inside the back of the hitch (usually with a flashlight) to make sure that the jaws are closed. (Something that I do every time before towing).

Rob

Rob I was thinking the same. Wildlife Cop pull the head and check the workings. I have attached a picture of my Reese Titan R20 head underside. Reese uses a rotating block to lock the jaws closed. Yours may be damaged. In the Reese design even in the unlocked position the jaws may stick closed and you cant drive out of them, but there is slop backing up to release them.

I am wondering if the locking cam (silver block) has moved, or if one of the jaw bolts has sheared. Either way I would have the dealer replace the hitch with another brand like B&W or Reese

Just my 02
Keith

**Cate&Rob** · 02-22-2022, 09:16 AM

Wildlife Cop

Just to reiterate a comment made earlier . . . if there is 2" of play in something between the truck and the trailer, I would NOT recommend towing this rig to the dealer until the source of the 2" is remedied. Perhaps worth a service visit from a mobile RV service company or hiring a delivery driver if the problem is within your hitch?

Rob

**ncitro** · 02-22-2022, 09:38 AM

Originally posted by Cate&Rob View Post

Wildlife Cop

Just to reiterate a comment made earlier . . . if there is 2" of play in something between the truck and the trailer, I would NOT recommend towing this rig to the dealer until the source of the 2" is remedied. Perhaps worth a service visit from a mobile RV service company or hiring a delivery driver if the problem is within your hitch?

Rob

I agree here 100%. If the issue is in your hitch and you want the dealer to fix it, you should be able to bring it to them without the trailer.

**Wildlife Cop** · 02-22-2022, 10:17 AM

Neil and Rob, thanks for the info. I’m going to let the dealer find out about if there’s a failure. New head has been ordered and is supposedly on its way🤔. Interesting little piece of info. Dealer had me pull back to storage (only 5 miles away). My plan is take the truck in and replace prior to towing. The jaws appear locked (have checked with flashlight) and the red “locked” bracket is up and showing locked. I have looked into the interior of the head with a flashlight and can’t see much in there. I guess we’ll see???

**Jlawles2** · 02-22-2022, 07:28 PM

Wildlife Cop Can you get a couple of pictures of the jaw mechanism. Bottom side up if possible would help. My guess is there is something out of whack (real technical term there) that is allowing one or both of the jaws to spread slightly.

**Scott'n'Wendy** · 02-23-2022, 07:12 AM

I can't see how a hitch could allow 1.5-2" of travel without dropping the trailer. Glad it didn't, but wow..never heard of this before.

Wildlife Cop Once you have the head replaced and an autopsy completed on the old, please post up what happened to cause your issue.

**Wildlife Cop** · 02-23-2022, 11:34 AM

Keith,JawLes2, Scott’n’Wendy (trying to get everyone I need to reply to), I don’t want to take the head apart to see what’s going on inside (afraid I might void the warranty, dealer said same). I’ve looked inside with a flashlight not much to see (maybe the workings are enclosed). I’ve got some photos but really don’t show much, I’ll try to get better ones. Scott’n’Wendy, I agree with you, that you’d think the trailer would drop, but it didn’t. The hitch shows locked. The service manager and tech both say way too much forward to back movement. Hopefully, the new head will be here soon. It’s almost like the pin box is not dropping down completely on the hitch. But, when lifting the jacks the trailer is definitely on the truck.

**Yoda** · 02-23-2022, 12:29 PM

Originally posted by Wildlife Cop View Post

Keith,JawLes2, Scott’n’Wendy (trying to get everyone I need to reply to), I don’t want to take the head apart to see what’s going on inside (afraid I might void the warranty, dealer said same). I’ve looked inside with a flashlight not much to see (maybe the workings are enclosed). I’ve got some photos but really don’t show much, I’ll try to get better ones. Scott’n’Wendy, I agree with you, that you’d think the trailer would drop, but it didn’t. The hitch shows locked. The service manager and tech both say way too much forward to back movement. Hopefully, the new head will be here soon. It’s almost like the pin box is not dropping down completely on the hitch. But, when lifting the jacks the trailer is definitely on the truck.

On page 11 of the manual the head is held on by 2 clevis pins. You can remove those pins and lift the head off without voiding anything. With it off, flip it over and take a few pictures. No need to take it apart more than that. Those clevis pins are there to assist in assembly and disassembly to move the unit in and out of the truck.

Even with the dealer ordering a new head I would not trust this brand of hitch - period. To me the issues you are having points to a bad design. BTW never trust a lock indicator - do a pull test before towing. If you don't know what a pull test is please say so. It is a critical part of safely hooking up and towing. It is possible to have a hitch looked locked and be high pined and have the trailer drop on the bed.

Safe travels
Keith

**Wildlife Cop** · 02-23-2022, 01:42 PM

Thanks Keith, the hitch was installed by the dealer. I think it was $1,800.00. Always do the tug pull with my wife watching. I learned a lesson on this when first towing. Hitch showed locked and pin came back. Luckily we caught before it fell. I’ll try your suggestion on removing the head.

**Wildlife Cop** · 02-23-2022, 02:35 PM

Keith, got the head off. No problem, I should have realized how easy, duh. Can’t really see much but there’s only a couple springs and they appear to have nothing to do with the jaws just the locking bracket. Checked it both locked and unlocked saw nothing suspicious. In order to get into the interior would have to take out the large bolts holding the head together. I’ll let the dealer do such. I’ll try to attach some photos.

**Yoda** · 02-23-2022, 04:34 PM

Originally posted by Wildlife Cop View Post

Keith, got the head off. No problem, I should have realized how easy, duh. Can’t really see much but there’s only a couple springs and they appear to have nothing to do with the jaws just the locking bracket. Checked it both locked and unlocked saw nothing suspicious. In order to get into the interior would have to take out the large bolts holding the head together. I’ll let the dealer do such. I’ll try to attach some photos.

Good pictures, but did you take one of the underside of the head you tool off. It will show the jaws and linkage similar to the photo in post #16 above.

On edit I guess you did - I have never seen the jaw assembly closed in like your set up. Also in your third picture are the jaws locked (I see the red ring around the jaws - its that red piece metal) - if so that big gap between the jaws is a concern. If that locking ring is metal does it show any wear? I am wondering if the locking ring prevented the king pin from leaving - the jaw to red ring looks to be about 2 inches

**Jlawles2** · 02-23-2022, 05:42 PM

Between picture 2 and 5 it appears that the pin heads for pivot are visible. in picture 5 it appears that the kingpin pushes the jaws closed and the red band holds them in place. I'd be concerned that there is wear in the red band.

**Yoda** · 02-23-2022, 08:00 PM

Originally posted by Jlawles2 View Post

Between picture 2 and 5 it appears that the pin heads for pivot are visible. in picture 5 it appears that the kingpin pushes the jaws closed and the red band holds them in place. I'd be concerned that there is wear in the red band.

Wildlife Cop

What concerns me is nowhere is a diagram or part list for this head, and I can't see any lubrication points. From the owners manual the only way to take the head apart appears to be by removing the two large side bolts using the large opening to get to them on the backside. Wildlife Cop - When the dealer removes the old one, see if you can get him to open up the shell to see the internal guts. Something broke internally. If something is there perhaps send pictures to the national safety folks. Whatever you do do not tow with this head. I cant stress enough to have the dealer get you another brand hitch. Just my thoughts It appears to be a cheap imitation made in China https://www.amazon.com/Camko-48628-5...omotive&sr=1-1
One other thing - everyone seems to be out of stock - just makes me wonder.

Be safe

Keith

**Wildlife Cop** · 02-23-2022, 09:15 PM

Keith and Joseph, the hitch is made by Camco. Picture 3 is locked, 5 is unlocked. I’ve seen no wear on the red lock. I’ve had a concern that the rubber bracket (?) being bent over may have caused an issue? It provides pressure on the head. I actually went in person to the dealer (service dept) today. The head has apparently been shipped but no one knows where it’s at. I did get invited to meet with the EazLift rep next week at the dealer. They want me to bring the truck of course. Meet today with the service and parts manager and a couple of techs. One tech talked about making sure everything is lubed (it is). I was afraid I had too much lube on it. There are no lube points for the springs, etc inside the head but hitch is less than year old and towed 3.5 k last year.

**Jlawles2** · 02-23-2022, 09:26 PM

Wildlife Cop That rubber bracket is only there to hold the head level side to side for hitching. My Superglide has a leaf type spring (just real thin) that returns the head to level when unhooked if not already level.

The red lock may or may not show signs of wear if you can see the right area that is supposed to hold the jaws closed.

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