wings2fly
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Post by wings2fly on Aug 23, 2019 19:18:03 GMT -8
I have a '64 Shasta Compact with the standard coupler for that trailer. When I hook it up, the ball moves up into the coupler no problem. I move the lever on top of the coupler down and tighten the screw in the back, however the lever on top of the coupler pops back up and won't stay down. I can put the safety pin in. Is the coupler lever supposed to stay down? If so, what holds it in place? Thoughts on what the issue could be?
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Post by vikx on Aug 23, 2019 20:07:38 GMT -8
Can you post of photo of which coupler you have? It sounds as if there might be a problem.
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Post by bigbill on Aug 24, 2019 18:05:40 GMT -8
When you talk about tightening the screw are you talking about a knob and is that lever at the base of the knob? Can you loosen the "screw" after the lever pops back up? You might have a coupler that the lever locks the thing from coming unscrewed. This is just a wild guess but years ago there was couplers like that.
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wings2fly
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Post by wings2fly on Aug 26, 2019 9:54:56 GMT -8
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Post by vikx on Aug 26, 2019 21:00:15 GMT -8
That's an old Bulldog hitch, they are usually sturdy and last forever. The rounded front part should slip down and over the rounded coupler body. Then the top piece slips into the two slots on top. There is a small hole beside (low) the moving portion for a lock to keep it from coming loose. The bolt should be for adjustments; I don't think you need to tighten or loosen. You may have to check to see if you adjusted it out of whack.
Here's what it looks like closed on the 2" ball:
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/53634851@N03/48628497717/in/dateposted-public/" title="Bulldog"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48628497717_efb7e5f775.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Bulldog"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Alaska Shasta
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Post by Alaska Shasta on Aug 27, 2019 12:10:16 GMT -8
I replaced the coupler on the tongue with an updated one that had the extra hole which would accept the VITAL safety pin. The part is a Redline CP02-010. Fit like a glove. And with the safety pin in place, the coupler will not become un-latched. IMG_9148 by Bryan Port, on Flickr IMG_9150 by Bryan Port, on Flickr
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wings2fly
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Post by wings2fly on Aug 27, 2019 12:46:10 GMT -8
It goes down as you say and the pin goes in, but it won't stay down. The receiver stays on the hitch, but I am nervous about it popping up. So the question is why won't it stay down?
Where did you buy the replacement part?
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WhitneyK
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'67 Shasta Compact
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Post by WhitneyK on Aug 27, 2019 17:40:56 GMT -8
It goes down as you say and the pin goes in, but it won't stay down. The receiver stays on the hitch, but I am nervous about it popping up. So the question is why won't it stay down? Where did you buy the replacement part? Is your spring broke in the upper lever part. Mine is and it just lets the top release flop around a bit. When working properly, I believe the spring will keep the ears down in the two slots on the tongue. There should be a little resistance (not much) when you lift the top lever. Correct me if I'm wrong
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wings2fly
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Post by wings2fly on Aug 28, 2019 5:18:13 GMT -8
That indeed seems to be the problem, the spring is broken. Is it repairable, or do I need to buy the new front coupler to be safe? In other words, how critical is the spring?
Recommendations on where I can purchase a new coupler, as in the Redline CP02-010?
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Alaska Shasta
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Post by Alaska Shasta on Aug 28, 2019 11:28:35 GMT -8
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ekimnamniets
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Post by ekimnamniets on Aug 28, 2019 12:05:23 GMT -8
Alaska Shasta.....in regard to your pics of the hitch upgrade. If this is not just bolted up for taking the pic, please replace the bolt with one long enough to get "full nut" of threads thru the bolt. I'm a retired millwright and that is one thing that is stressed in training industrial mechanics. Lots of stuff flies apart in the real world because of too short of fasteners.
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ekimnamniets
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Post by ekimnamniets on Aug 28, 2019 12:09:14 GMT -8
I didn't proofread well enough.......should have read "full nut of thread thru the nut" By the pic that bolt is about 1/2" short.
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Alaska Shasta
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Post by Alaska Shasta on Aug 28, 2019 12:16:27 GMT -8
Just mocked up for the picture. Fully cinched down now.
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wings2fly
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Post by wings2fly on Aug 28, 2019 13:05:37 GMT -8
Looking at it this afternoon, there is a spring there, the question is it broken or fixable. Will try option #2 first.
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Post by bigbill on Aug 28, 2019 15:44:04 GMT -8
That is not the style of coupler I thought you might of had. That type of coupler can be adjusted to tight and it won't latch properly causing the lever to pop up. Since the replacement parts are available I would suggest rebuilding as suggested above. The new parts will most likely come with instructions for proper repair and adjustment.
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