Last Updated on January 10, 2023 by Will Sabel
Having a trailer gives several perks, no matter whether you are making plans for a camping ride or a cross-city move. Due to its sturdiness and dependability, trailer hitches have a solid reputation.
However, it may be demanding if they simply won’t separate from your trailer. When you attempt to take them out, they decide they’d rather stay in and getting them to come loose can be alternatively painful and demanding.
In effect, they become stuck, because if you’ve dealt with stuck metal, you recognize precisely how difficult it may be to get it going again.
Why Is The Trailer Hitch Ball Required To Be Removed?
The hitch ball receives exposed to the climate more often whilst you keep it in the vehicle. Rusting may result from this, hastening the requirement for a replacement. Also, The incorrect choice of receiver and ball sizes is among the major matters that go wrong with the ball hitch.
It is simple to accept as true that all ball hitches are the same because a lot of them are available in a standardized size.
Always make sure that the size of your receiver and hitch are equal.
Another detail that may make it difficult to unplug is cold. Metal can cut back and settle whilst the temperature is under zero.
The trailer tongue and hitch may become firmly coupled as an end result and affect every other. Also, the hitch ball may go missing without your even knowing it, relying on how often you operate it.
The hitch ball is maintained extremely well and new by being removed once the project is completed, which makes it smooth to hold and guarantees that it lasts a protracted time.
How to Free a Stuck Trailer Hitch
Simply removing your hitch frequently will prevent it from becoming stuck. You’ll never revel in a hassle in case you take it out at least once in a while. To prevent rust, you could additionally thoroughly clean it.
But if it gets stuck you could follow techniques that may be used to unstuck the trailer hitch even if you have done everything necessary.
Examine A Few Things First
To start with, ensure the pin has been taken out. These may be a touch entertaining to untangle on your own and get stuck occasionally too though. They can normally be removed with a hammer, WD-40, and additionally slight effort.
Inspect to see whether the anti-rattle bolt has loosened and if this doesn’t resolve the trouble. They can simplest be applied even as you aren’t towing, as it is their only intended usage.
You will find it very difficult to take your hitch off if it is all constant up. Better yet, get rid of them all at once.
Heat it up
You may decrease the temperature after getting it fine and heated using a heat gun. When metal is heated, it expands, and whilst it receives cold, it contracts once more, preferably loosening the hitch and freeing the tightness.
It simply takes some cycles of doing this to the purpose of the hitch to stretch and relax, thereby freeing the corrosion additionally.
Spray the rusty joint

WD40 could be sprayed at the stuck spot, including the place wherein the pin passes through if it is entirely jammed and wedged in.
Generous quantities of penetrating fluid need to be sprayed into the hitch receiver’s aperture. Spray freely after deeply putting the spray tip into the receiver’s edges.
Pound It Out
Use an appropriate hammer with caution. Additionally, hitting it inside and out often has positive results, and whilst it starts to glide, you could normally clean out tons of gunk to make the remaining task easier. The best device is a copper hammer, however, you could use something you’ve got on hand.
Make Use of a Tree
Last but not least, you can turn to nature for assistance. Here, an excessive warning is required. After wrapping a strap around a huge tree in numerous instances and tightening it around the hitch, you will be using a hammer to whack the hitch sideways.
Don’t try this alone, and be careful with falling objects. With sufficient pressure, you will discover that WD40 and a stable hit will purpose the hitch to move quickly.
The Summary
You’ve previously accomplished some research on easy strategies for getting rid of a rusty trailer hitch ball. It is important because the load rating should be good enough and the trailer coupler and ball sizes should match.
It’s critical to conduct your very own studies or communicate with a professional. To keep away from rust altogether in preference to having to remove it afterward, hold in thought that it is constantly advised to adopt preventive measures.
Frequently Asked Question
What is the purpose of a trailer ball?
The coupler for the trailer is attached to a trailer hitch ball, which is fastened to the ball mount of the hitch. The trailer can pivot thanks to the ball, allowing for easy turning while being towed.
Should I lubricate the receiver on my hitch?
It is advised to be greased. By lubricating it, you can assist retain the trailer hitch ball’s physical strength and stop it from whining.
Is WD-40 a degreaser or a lubricant?
Fish oil, to be precise, is the lubricant that makes up WD-40. It adds some grease and oil back even though it can break them down to some extent.
Let’s waste your time by watching this video 🙂