D035 Hitch

Submitted: Monday, May 09, 2011 at 21:24
ThreadID: 86176 Views:4512 Replies:5 FollowUps:0
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Does any one have one of these fitted to their vehicle? We have been towing a van with one for 6 weeks and are having a problem unhitching. Any clues, hints would be appreciated. Whilst we can't fault the whole system, our problem arises when winding the jockey wheel up. The car can lift up to about 3" before the hitch lets go. Pretty scary at times. Surely, we must be doing something wrong. Our best effort is to have the vehicle in neutral with the van handbrake off. We do have poly airbags on the car to help with the weight on the back of the vehicle, but they are not overly inflated.

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks

Ian G
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Reply By: Gone Bush (WA) - Monday, May 09, 2011 at 21:36

Monday, May 09, 2011 at 21:36
It sounds like the part of the hitch on your vehicle is not vertical. Do you have it on a WDH? You might try to adjust the two cams below it to bring the "cone" vertical.

I have one on my vehicle and van with a Reese WDH and no problems unhitching at all.

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AnswerID: 453778

Reply By: Member - Captain (WA) - Monday, May 09, 2011 at 22:30

Monday, May 09, 2011 at 22:30
I too have a DO35 and occasionally it can lift the vehicle up a tad before releasing, but nowhere near the extend you are describing. A quick wipe with a rag (inside the trailer unit too) and spray with silicone lube should do the trick.

Cheers

Captain

AnswerID: 453790

Reply By: Lex M (Brisbane) - Monday, May 09, 2011 at 22:44

Monday, May 09, 2011 at 22:44
I've had a do35 since the original model.
Application of a good grease as recommended by the manufacturer and keeping it covered when unhitched fixes all the problems - UNLESS it's one of the early ones where the latch plate was open at the front and allowed contamination of the pin and lock groove which causes the problem you mention.

I've had mine upgraded to the new latch plate which has a black plastic cover across the front and have had no further trouble.




AnswerID: 453791

Reply By: Crackles - Monday, May 09, 2011 at 23:12

Monday, May 09, 2011 at 23:12
Ian have you greased it yet? Possibly still a little tight so may be binding up as it's not totally free to swivel? Have had it happen a couple of times on mine early on too.
Cheers Craig.................
AnswerID: 453796

Reply By: Member - Ian G (NSW) - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 20:45

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 20:45
Thanks for the hints.

All greased up and will look at adjusting the cams after we talk to the supplier, but certainly should make a difference. We put a levelling device on it and it is certainly not vertical. Knew someone out there would be able to help.

Ian G
AnswerID: 453894

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