Utility Cycling - Help! Trouble with my trailer hitch

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Sammyboy
02-19-07, 07:45 AM
Hey guys. Below is the ball-joint hitch for my trailer, shot before I put it on the bike. I'm having trouble with the trailer dropping off the hitch when it hits bumps, even if I take it very carefully. I haven't yet dared to try it on major roads, or with a serious load because of this. It's probably not helped by the fact that my bike is 25.5 inch seat tube, so the hitch is probably a little higher than it was designed to be. Any ideas to make it stay on, or for some sort of safety thing, or both? I'm guessing that sleeving the upper part of the hitch with duct tape may help, both to reduce the gap a bit, and to provide a bit more friction, but has anyone any other ideas? I near killed myself this week carrying the groceries for 4 people in panniers and a small messenger bag!

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a322/Samuelw72/P1230006.jpg

AGGRO
02-19-07, 08:23 AM
This happens with truck trailer hitches if the ball is too small. Is it interchangeable? Next, I'd rig some type of safety chain and do something to help it keep from popping off. A plastic coated wire tie might work around the bottom of the ball and the notch in the top there. Good luck. That would be scary to have it pop off.
fordfasterr
02-19-07, 08:27 AM
use a dremmel to cut some small notches on the hitch cover mechanism... then use zip ties to snug it on ...

I would grease the joint just to keep it from squeaking with all the pressure from the zip tie(s)

=)

I-Like-To-Bike
02-19-07, 09:08 AM
Hey guys. Below is the ball-joint hitch for my trailer, shot before I put it on the bike. I'm having trouble with the trailer dropping off the hitch when it hits bumps, even if I take it very carefully...Any ideas to make it stay on, or for some sort of safety thing, or both? I'm guessing that sleeving the upper part of the hitch with duct tape may help, both to reduce the gap a bit, and to provide a bit more friction, but has anyone any other ideas?
No other idea is necessary; Duct tape is Your Friend. Works for me to solve the identical problem of too much free play in the connection. Also eliminates the rattling at the connection.
Sammyboy
02-19-07, 09:26 AM
Duct tape it is. I'll report back in a few days - thanks all, specially ILTB.
AGGRO
02-20-07, 10:40 AM
I think I'd still come up with a safety chain of sorts.