Saguenay Bill Posted December 28, 2017 Report Share Posted December 28, 2017 My family came from Indiana for Christmas gthis year. With all the snow we have the 2nd oldest grandson wanted to ride one of our snowmobiles as he had never been on one before. So I hooked up the trailer to the Avalanche and pulled ahead far enough to open the back door. I didn't latch the ball down as I only have to pull it ahead 30 feet, After unloading I backed trailer up and tried to jack the ball off the hitch. As I raised the trailer up the truck came with it. Put heat on it, still wouldn't come loose. After trying for a few minutes and lots of cuss words I had my son and grandson jump up and down on hitch, the trailer would come up off ball enough that I could pull out from underneath it . Took coupler off trailer and this what I discovered was left of the part of the coupler that latches onto the ball. From this year forward the coupler will be removed yearly, cleaned and greased. Just never though of doing maintenace on this before. Live and learn. revct1 and S pump 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revct1 Posted December 28, 2017 Report Share Posted December 28, 2017 Its amazing what happens to parts we don't normally see. Jack & Sandi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrGutz Posted December 29, 2017 Report Share Posted December 29, 2017 Looks real worn. Are you coming up on Monday or Tuesday? GutZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saguenay Bill Posted December 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2017 58 minutes ago, MrGutz said: Looks real worn. Are you coming up on Monday or Tuesday? GutZ Tuesday if I get everything done. It's so damn cold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrGutz Posted December 29, 2017 Report Share Posted December 29, 2017 You ain't kiddin' I don't want to even go out and put stuff in the trailer! We'll miss you on this first trip! GutZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cnc Posted December 29, 2017 Report Share Posted December 29, 2017 That is darn near rusted through on one side, better to find that the way you did than towing down a highway. PLAYHARD 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichiganRev Posted December 29, 2017 Report Share Posted December 29, 2017 Just put new couplers and chains on both trailers last week. Glad that happened to you at home and not on the highway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saguenay Bill Posted December 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 29, 2017 5 hours ago, Cnc said: That is darn near rusted through on one side, better to find that the way you did than towing down a highway. 4 hours ago, MichiganRev said: Just put new couplers and chains on both trailers last week. Glad that happened to you at home and not on the highway. I am so glad it happened in my yard. Never gave the coupler a thought before this. Out of sight, out of mind. That's why I posted. Don't want one of QR family having a problem for the price of a $30 piece that can be replaced a simply as the coupler. nyskidooerinnewhampshire and 182ray 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyman Posted December 29, 2017 Report Share Posted December 29, 2017 Thank God it happened in your yard Bill!!!! Thanks for the heads up! First big ride is next week can't wait. Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cnc Posted December 29, 2017 Report Share Posted December 29, 2017 6 hours ago, Saguenay Bill said: I am so glad it happened in my yard. Never gave the coupler a thought before this. Out of sight, out of mind. That's why I posted. Don't want one of QR family having a problem for the price of a $30 piece that can be replaced a simply as the coupler. Well I got a story to tell but I will skip a lot of the details. The moral of it is: Don't take anyone's word that anything on your trailer is done correctly when loading, check your self. We loaded my disabled sled onto my trailer by hand with the help of some guys I did not know. As we got it on and the bed tilted back down, one of the guys said I got the pin, and picked it out of the back of my pick up where I had put it. Never gave it another thought, and was busy clamping down and covering the sled. Off I drove and cruising down the highway the truck felt like it was being pushed around by wind, looked in my rear view mirror just in time to see the trailer swerve, try to pass the truck as I slowed them do a series of rolls first flat on the sled second ejected the sled in the middle of the highway and the third sent the empty trailer into the bush. The draw bar was still attached to the truck! We determined the pin had never been put in properly which was quickly lost and allowed the the tilt mechanism to twist back and forth till it snapped. $3000 damage to the sled and $800 to the trailer. Thank god there were no cars anywhere around when it happened. Not that it gets much use, but I inspect my trailer each fall and as I said NEVER assume someone trying to be helpful has done something correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smclelan Posted December 29, 2017 Report Share Posted December 29, 2017 Good story CNC. A heads up for all. I always check twice and usually stop again within a couple kilometers and check again. Never hurts to be a little paranoid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NHTOM Posted December 29, 2017 Report Share Posted December 29, 2017 The road salt gets up under there and never gets washed off cause the top of the ball hitch acts like a roof. Good find Bill! That would have been ugly popping loose about 20 miles from Letape at minus 30. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saguenay Bill Posted December 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2017 2 hours ago, NHTOM said: The road salt gets up under there and never gets washed off cause the top of the ball hitch acts like a roof. Good find Bill! That would have been ugly popping loose about 20 miles from Letape at minus 30. My exact thoughts as I was taking it apart in -10F temps in my yard. At least I could go in and get warm, not like standing on 175 nyskidooerinnewhampshire 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viper2 Posted December 30, 2017 Report Share Posted December 30, 2017 I always keep that area well greased, it can make for a messy pant leg if you don't take the receiver out your tow vehicle so use caution Phil 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gman Posted January 9, 2018 Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 Bill, I just wanted to thank you again for your help at the Delta this past Saturday, the use of your private garage was a life saver. You do a great job. Thank you for all you do Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saguenay Bill Posted January 9, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 9, 2018 8 hours ago, Gman said: Bill, I just wanted to thank you again for your help at the Delta this past Saturday, the use of your private garage was a life saver. You do a great job. Thank you for all you do Mike Mike the Delta management are very accommodating to snowmobilers. I went thru the same thing Sunday with another snowmobiler who had the same problem as yours. Glad we could help and hope to see you again. Scranton1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil 1 Posted October 5, 2018 Report Share Posted October 5, 2018 (edited) Because of this thread I checked mine today, glad I did it was worn to a nub. I estimate 30,000 + miles on trailer it’s a 2008. Edited October 5, 2018 by Phil 1 Spelling MrGutz and nyskidooerinnewhampshire 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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