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  1. #1
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    Coupler won't close on the ball

    Hi,

    I have a new to me boat with a tandem axle surge brake trailer. I'm having a weird issue where I can't close the coupler on the ball if I jack it all the way down onto the ball. I have to basically lower it on the with the jack, close the ball, then finish lowering the jack and stowing it. The issue is the bottom tongue of the coupler is hitting the base of the ball and won't close. So by using the jack to keep it up a bit, I can get it to close.

    I haven't had this issue with any other trailer I've used. The coupler that came on the boat was messed up (needed a hammer to close it and a screwdriver to open it), so I replaced it with a new one. The new one has the same issue.

    So I'm wondering if I need a taller ball, or if this is normal behavior for this style of trailer tongue. This is the first time I've had a trailer with this kind of tongue. See pic:

    IMG_20190114_140633_01_01.jpg

    Thanks for your help!
    2012 Nitro Z8
    225 Mercury Pro XS

  2. Member Bob G.'s Avatar
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    #2
    So two different couplers have the same issue with the ball? Make sure the ball is the proper size for the coupler.
    2006 Triton TR-21 XD, Mercury 225 Pro XS, S/N 1B287870

  3. Member ifishinxs's Avatar
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    #3
    It’s the ball! I’ve had the same issue. The base on the ball interfers with the coupler. It takes some looking around but find a ball that sits up a little higher from the base or has a lower base.
    2024 Phoenix 818, Mercury 175 (3B414035) Trick Steps, 3 Garmin 106 SV,s, LVS 34. BoatEFX dual bow mount. Ionic 12V 125AH, 2 12V 100 ah LiTime’s for the TM. Minn Kota 345 PCL charger,

  4. Member
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    #4
    I had this issue with a ball that had the hex base on it. Don't know if it was shorter, but changed ball and all is good.

  5. Moderator Fishysam's Avatar
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    #5
    You have your solution already, just get the rythum and make it work or get a new ball that doesn't catch because that is what's happening
    Mercury 250 proxs 2B115089

  6. Member
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    #6
    This. I have had it happen too. Or get under it and grind off the part of the hitch that is hitting.

  7. Electrical/Wiring/Trolling Motors Moderator CatFan's Avatar
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    #7
    Quote Originally Posted by mikeky View Post
    I had this issue with a ball that had the hex base on it. Don't know if it was shorter, but changed ball and all is good.
    Had exactly the same problem.
    If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity,
    nothing else matters.​

  8. Member
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    #8
    Yea, it's a Hex-base ball. And I figured that had to be the issue. I'll keep a look out for a taller ball and just live with it until then. Thanks guys!
    2012 Nitro Z8
    225 Mercury Pro XS

  9. Member
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    #9
    Sometimes the latch that holds the ball can be adjusted higher or lower, some can some can’t. Might help.
    Mercury 2002 200hp Carbed Saltwater
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  10. Member
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    #10
    Quote Originally Posted by mikeky View Post
    I had this issue with a ball that had the hex base on it. Don't know if it was shorter, but changed ball and all is good.
    I had the same problem with the hex base too. The “point” of the hex was facing the rear of the boat and the latch was catching on the “point”. I don’t know if this will work for others, but I loosened the ball and rotated it so one of the “sides” of the hex was parallel with the bumper of the truck & that fixed the issue.
    Have a Blessed Day,
    Mike

  11. Member wmitch2's Avatar
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    #11
    Damn. I learn something new every day !!
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  12. Member
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    #12
    Just a quick update, bought a new ball and everything closes up nicely. The old ball had a Hex base, this one is sort of flat sided, so everything closes nicely. Thanks guys!
    2012 Nitro Z8
    225 Mercury Pro XS

  13. Member fishnfireman's Avatar
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    #13

  14. Member
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    #14
    Glad ya got your balls fixed.

  15. Member
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    #15
    Yea, they were getting in the way. It can be a problem!

    Quote Originally Posted by RERUN View Post
    Glad ya got your balls fixed.
    2012 Nitro Z8
    225 Mercury Pro XS

  16. Member wmitch2's Avatar
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    #16
    Quote Originally Posted by natrix19 View Post
    Yea, they were getting in the way. It can be a problem!
    ESPECIALLY, if they're "HEXED" on the bottom !!
    Ranger Boats / Mercury Motors
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