krystie
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Post by krystie on Sept 6, 2013 16:15:31 GMT -8
I dont know if im posting this is the right section but here it goes.Today my fiance and I went to buy a rehab camper. It looked like a shasta but the guy didnt have any info on it nor did it have anything written on the sides of it. The problem was the trailer hitch. We tried a 1 7/8 and a 2 inch. It seemed like the 2 inch had way too much play and the piece that locks it in didnt fit for either. The locking piece was made for a flat or mushroom shaped ball hitch by the looks of it but i cant find anything out about it. The owner wasnt sure as it was giving to him and he hadnt moved it because its on his camp the grounds that he owns. We cant figure out how to get it home unless we get a sway bar. the piece you use to turn it is more like a key in the way that its only a 1/4 of a turn. but still... when you turn it, it hits the middle of the ball. theres no rust or damage to the coupler. If you dont know what coupler issue is, do you know what kind of camper this might be? The diagram below is what it looks like, except the ball sits flush, no rust, no damage. Its as if a mushroom shaped ball is needed. Also take into consideration my fiance has had boats and utility trailers for years. This isnt his first rodeo. WE ARE STUMPED!   |
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soup
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Post by soup on Sept 6, 2013 16:38:25 GMT -8
WELCOME to VTT!!
Some close up pics of hitch might help too.
Clean off top of hitch with wire brush or sandpaper right in front of jack.
There should be some stuff stamped into the metal there like weight limit of hitch etc.
It should also be marked for what size ball it actually takes.
Also the ball lock might need adjusting in side hitch. Usually bolt head on top.
Maybe the front nose of the hitch suffered a downward impact from something and bent the nose tip down to not allow ball enough clearance to go far enough up into hitch??
Would love to see couple more pics of more hitch, less trailer LOL
Spray kroil all over up inside hitch too.
Can you get a couple more close up pics of the hitch and under hitch?
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krystie
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Post by krystie on Sept 6, 2013 17:43:07 GMT -8
It didnt take a blow to the top, there isnt any rust, I even looked myself. Other then it isnt lining up... its in perfect condition. Its an hour and a half away and I didnt think to take more pictures. There arent any markings on it either. If i didnt know any better I would say its homemade but its not....
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krystie
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Post by krystie on Sept 6, 2013 17:47:05 GMT -8
I feel like I should make mention that my fiance was there... he worked at a steel company for 10 years, welded at another company for 3 and used to build utility trailers. Not to sound unappreciative but he knows a thing or to and were stuck.
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soup
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Post by soup on Sept 7, 2013 3:35:07 GMT -8
I am sorry I have never heard of or seen a mushroom ball hitch before and I thought if I saw it closer in more detail, it might make more sense and give us all a better idea of what was going on and may spark an idea or two.
I have been around the block or two with towing and welding also. (52years old) One thing I know is, It's impossible for me to help further without more close up pics of the hitch.
Time for a flat bed or tow truck with a tilt bed.
Or otherwise sense he has the experience, sounds like he'll be using a cutting torch, welder and new hitch.
I am sorry I couldn't help more.
Please keep us posted on what you find out so we all can learn from this here.
Just so you know, I usually show up in a truck with a 17 foot flat bed, 10,000 lb winch, drag em up on deck and haul them home. When picking them If I know I'm towing it instead of hauling on deck, I also bring an air compressor or air tank, shovel, dunage, extra chains, straps, ramps, tools, grease, rubber gloves, 3 extra tires and rims, floor jack, bottle jack, set of tow lights, etc. (I don't go back a second time unless there is more campers to bring home. LOL)
Also, besides the hitch, you and him should be doing a grease/bearing job there too before towing, otherwise you can fry the bearings, races and spindles too while towing it home. Most of the ones I get, I have to dig the tires and axle out of the ground.
Good luck and keep us posted, Wish I could help more. I am sorry about the difficulties you have run into. I'm sure it won't be the last challenge you run into in the vintage camping world. We are here to help but sometimes we aren't as helpful as we would like to be.
I hope you enjoy the site later.
Welcome to VTT,
Soup
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cowcharge
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Post by cowcharge on Sept 7, 2013 4:51:34 GMT -8
Was your 10,000 lb wench by any chance in Attack Of The 50 Ft. Woman? Love to get her autograph...
Krystie, dunno how big your trailer is, but my '76 2250 dual-axle takes a 2 5/16" ball... The hitch looks beefy enough to be the bow frame from the Titanic.
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soup
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Post by soup on Sept 7, 2013 5:03:28 GMT -8
HA HA cowcharge!
WINCH
LMAO
No spell check here unless you run it all through word first!
LOL
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Post by 74bolesaero on Sept 17, 2013 23:48:48 GMT -8
Have u tried a 2-5/16 ball by chance for fit. That what mine turned out to be. I bought a three way hitch so Im ready for anything hitchwise. Otherwise Id price towing it
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