I noticed there's a little slop in the coupler tube on my trailer so I figured I would take it off to see how it works and make sure everything is good.

There's 2 large maybe 3/4" bolts that "press" up against the tube to make it snug. It seemed like these were just loose. I tigthened them up and it fixed the slop.

Question is I took out the 2 bolts completely and the tube didn't seem to want to move up or down. I was almost expecting the tube to drop to the ground. What holds the tube in place?

 

Did you beat on it with a BFH yet? Wondering if rust could have siezed it up.

~Rob

 

I'll try that. I did try standing on it and jumping a little So generally it is just these 2 bolts that hold the entire neck in? That sounds sorta scary

 

Yea that is kind of scary but the only thing that those bolts need to hold is up and down.It cant go side to side.

 

You can also try hooking it to the truck.. and using the jack on the truck to raise or lower the the tube.. then tighten it to the location you want.. Yes.. is a little scary that that's all that holding it up.. that's why some have nice welded bead around them...

 

JD great idea I will try that. Thanks.

 

Since looking at your picture, I have looked at several Gooseneck and 4-Star trailers with adjustable neck and they are the same deal.

Two bolts that tighten against the inside tube.

If it bothered me, I would drill a through hole and put in a long bolt, crossways to the other bolts.

Of course, I would make sure it was at the height I wanted it to stay before I drilled the hole.

 

I just adjusted my trailer and it took some effort go get it out. BFH and WD40. Once I got it out, i cleaned it up and WD40'ed the inside. I did use the truck and trailer jack to help loosed it. THen i adjusted it the the height I needed. THe trailer is a 1996 and I don't think the hitch has been adjusted since the factory.

 

is there anything special about these 2 big 3/4" bolts. I want to replace them because theyre a little bent. Thinking about picking up a couple grade 5 or grade 8 bolts and nuts and some red loctite....

 

Many trailers just use two bolts to hold up and down movement and that is sufficient. Our Take 3 has 2 bolts and a big pin that goes all the way through the coupler. I'd just get 2 new grade 8 bolts to put in there and tighten them and forget about it.

 

I wouldnt suggest drilling a pin all the way through. You are removing material that way, which can greatly weaken the component. The small example we are all at least familiar with is the Banjo bolts on the fuel lines. Bolts with bigger openings are available, but have u ever sheared one, and noticed how much easier it was to do than the smaller holed bolt. Just food for thought

 

I probably wouldn't drill a hole through it either, but our take 3 came brand new from the factory that way, but it has an all together different kind of coupler.