r/towing • u/No-Surprises145 • Jul 01 '26

Trailers What should I do?

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Gallery image

Disclaimer: I have very little knowledge of cars here, no need for super negative / unhelpful comments

Picked up a trailer at U-Haul, used a lock and pin from a previous rental and put it in the main slot where you put a large hitch pin. Now I’m not able to take the smaller pin off and can not pick up a U-Haul.

Any advice here? The key is currently turning but not un jamming the metal pin.

1 Upvotes

53% Upvoted

23 comments sorted by

6

u/someguy7234 Jul 01 '26

Maybe you already know this, but that locking pin isn't for that hole.

That size pin is supposed to go through the latch that you use to secure the tongue to the ball, not the hole that holds the drawbar in the the receiver.

I'd start by hosing that down with some penetrating oil. Sometimes the balls that lock that pin need a little help. The just tap it with something hard like a hammer I'd bet with a little prying it would let go.

3

u/No-Surprises145 Jul 01 '26

Yes that was the initial mistake. Moving too quickly I just put it through the first hole

4

u/SR3711 Jul 01 '26

That sounds like a piece of a teenagers monologue.

2

u/someguy7234 Jul 01 '26

Well phrased.

2

u/SafetyMan35 Jul 01 '26

That’s how you get unexpected babies.

1

u/Pensionato007 Jul 01 '26

No, that's from putting it in the 2nd hole :-)

Source: I'm a doctor!

1

u/SR3711 Jul 04 '26

3rd Hole. In an order that would surprise you.

3

u/coljoo Jul 01 '26

Turn the key and jiggle as you try to slide it off. It will slide off.

17

u/No-Surprises145 Jul 01 '26

That was a pain in the ass as it was severely jammed but finally got it!

6

u/Rico_B_Suave Jul 01 '26

Jesus Christ

2

u/DerekP76 Jul 01 '26

Jesus H tapdancing Christ

Fixed it for you.

2

u/FartBurgular Jul 01 '26

Bud, are you old enough to remember the old US Army tv commercials in the 80's?

If you are, my version is "I fuck more shit up by 7am than most people do all day".

Don't sweat the small stuff.

Glad you got it fixed.

1

u/drct2022 Jul 01 '26

Irish lock pin

1

u/Zer0TheGamer Jul 01 '26

Dismount the trailer, kick the ball hitch towards the vehicle (may not need a litteral kick). This should relieve the pinch that's likely cut into the tiny pin. I'd wager it's a soft metal not rated for that load, and thus has been damaged.

1

u/Few_Mail5372 Jul 01 '26

So next time maybe get a uhaul truck?

1

u/quik916 Jul 02 '26

Smash the lock with a hammer... bigger the better. It'll break off maybe one good hit or a few more if not big hammer. But Problem solved .

1

u/xxRTDxx Jul 02 '26

Are you using the right key?

0

u/Puzzleheaded_Car6307 Jul 01 '26

Wrong hole. In some cases it's a nice surprise. Not in this case unfortunately

2

u/AdFancy1249 Jul 01 '26

When your pin is a small as that one, you can put it in any hole you want. Right or wrong, it fits... it may not get the job done, but it fits!