GrannyGranny Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Surely the 0.8mm shouldn't make a difference. Maybe the catch isn't releasing fully because of age. OP - have a look inside the trailer hitch and see if the catch retracts. If not then apply WD40, clean and apply plenty of grease afterwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carosio Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Many years ago I had an old trailer that had the old one and a half inch socket and ball fitting, so I upgraded both to the current 50mm standard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimmyR Posted January 25, 2012 Author Share Posted January 25, 2012 I'm going to give this another go later. Maybe just needs a little persuasion with a large hammer. The catch seems to move freely enough. (maybe I'll measure it first before smacking it with any hammers) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimmyR Posted January 25, 2012 Author Share Posted January 25, 2012 Many years ago I had an old trailer that had the old one and a half inch socket and ball fitting, so I upgraded both to the current 50mm standard. But I do get a feeling it has one of those. The coupling is welded on so will take a little effort to get off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denlin Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 But I do get a feeling it has one of those. The coupling is welded on so will take a little effort to get off. Shouldn't be - I've just looked at our really ancient trailer and the socket bit is bolted on. It's just socket that needs replacing not whole thing. Might be easier to change ball bit on car - towsure should have both sizes or nip down to scrapyard and see if they have one on a car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 There's some useful information about tow balls here. Type Approval EC/94/20 Any light passenger vehicle registered in the UK on or after August 1st 1998 ( 'S' Registration ) will require a type approved towbar and towball ( when fitted). Light Commercial Vehicles and Car Derived Vans are not covered by Type Approval. This legislation will not be retrospective, therefore, any vehicle registered before August 1st 1998 will never require a type approved towbar. Any vehicle requiring an approved towbar also requires an appropiately approved Towball. 'D' and 'S' values must match or exceed the Towbar 'D' and 'S' values Type approved towbars and towballs can be identified by the presence of a Type Approval label which must be visible even when the product is fitted to the vehicle.This label will have as the very minimum, the product code, a 'D' value, an 'S' value and a European approval number in the form of e1100-01234. These labels must not be removed or defaced as this will invalidate the manufactuer's warranty and would result in the towbar or towball not being identified as Type Approved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phawley Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Towsure only stock 50mm towballs and the only combination which would stop the coupling going on to the ball would be a 2inch (50.8mm) ball and a 50mm coupling so all that's needed is the new towball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjoker Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Quote: Originally Posted by Cavegirl View Post Perhaps you could use an angle grinder to take off the excess metal and make it fit if it's just a small amount? Alternatively you could buy a new trailer fitting or tow bar from this site: http://www.towingandtrailers.co.uk/ Your not being serious, right?? My thoughts exactly, she must be a blonde from Essex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjoker Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 I have got the bigger balls. Quit bragging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjoker Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 There's some useful information about tow balls here. Type Approval EC/94/20 Any light passenger vehicle registered in the UK on or after August 1st 1998 ( 'S' Registration ) will require a type approved towbar and towball ( when fitted). Light Commercial Vehicles and Car Derived Vans are not covered by Type Approval. This legislation will not be retrospective, therefore, any vehicle registered before August 1st 1998 will never require a type approved towbar. Any vehicle requiring an approved towbar also requires an appropiately approved Towball. 'D' and 'S' values must match or exceed the Towbar 'D' and 'S' values Type approved towbars and towballs can be identified by the presence of a Type Approval label which must be visible even when the product is fitted to the vehicle.This label will have as the very minimum, the product code, a 'D' value, an 'S' value and a European approval number in the form of e1100-01234. These labels must not be removed or defaced as this will invalidate the manufactuer's warranty and would result in the towbar or towball not being identified as Type Approved. New rules on the fitting & fittment of tow bars etc are now included in the m.o.t. test. from late last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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