PopUp Hitch Ball -
Operation and Maintenance
CAUTION: Always wear
gloves for protection when raising or lowering hitch ball.
1. Read the Below.
2. Raise and Retract the
hitch ball with the Actuating Rod located in the driver side
rear wheel well. Raise the hitch ball by firmly and swiftly
pulling the actuating rod to its maximum extension. Note:
Always make certain the hitch ball is fully raised before
coupling to a trailer. When the hitch ball is fully raised,
a line cut around the neck of the hitch ball is visible at
the tube. Never tow without latching the trailer coupler and
attaching safety chains. Retract the hitch ball by pushing
the Actuating Rod to its seated position.
3. Ball Mechanism
Lubrication: With the ball down, apply a generous spray of
WD-40 or similar aerosol lubricant around the top of the
ball inside the tube. Lubricate the ball mechanism this way
when the ball does not work smoothly or after a month of
non-use.
Ball and Coupler Lubrication:
Coat the ball with a thin film of lithium grease. DO NOT USE
a heavy coating of gun or wheel bearing grease. Excess heavy
grease does not increase protection. Excess heavy grease
will migrate into the tube and make it difficult or
impossible to remotely raise and lower the PopUp hitch ball.
4. When the ball is
retracted, insert the Plastic Cap (provided) into the tube
for protection from accumulation of debris in the top of the
tube . The Plastic Cap will pop out when the ball is raised.
Protection from debris can also be achieved by leaving the
ball in the raised position when a level bed is not
required.
PopUp Hitch Ball -
Trouble-Shooting
1. Ball Will Not RETRACT:
DO NOT beat on the Actuating
Rod.
The cam may be locked in the
raised position because of debris. To free the cam tap the
ball forward and rearward using a rubber mallet or piece of
wood. This should make it possible to retract the ball.
Apply a generous spray of WD-40 or similar aerosol lubricant
around the top of the ball inside the tube.
If the Actuating Rod goes in
and the ball continues to stay up, the tube may be loaded
with heavy grease that has migrated down from the coupler.
Put downward pressure on the ball to retract it then apply a
generous spray of WD-40 or similar aerosol lubricant around
the top of the ball inside the tube to wash-out the excess
grease.
2. Ball Will Not RAISE:
Apply a generous spray of
WD-40 or similar aerosol lubricant around the top of the
ball inside the tube to loosen accumulated grease and grime.
Debris or ice may have been
allowed to accumulate in the top of the tube while the hitch
ball was retracted and not protected with the Plastic Cap.
Insert a 1/4" Eye Bolt in the ball and lift the ball using a
screw driver to displace debris and free the ball. Apply a
generous spray of WD-40 or similar aerosol lubricant around
the top of the ball inside the tube.
Guidelines for
Safe Gooseneck
Towing
Failure to
follow these
instructions may
result in
vehicle crash,
property damage
and/or personal
injury.
-
Do not
exceed tow
vehicle
manufacturers
stated
maximum
towing
capacity or
stated
maximum axle
weight.
-
Do not
exceed the
Maximum
Gross Tow
Weight of
hitch or
coupler.
-
Do not
exceed the
Maximum
Tongue
Weight of
hitch or
coupler.
-
Before
towing any
trailer for
the first
time confirm
adequate
clearance
between
trailer and
both cab of
tow vehicle
and trailer
and rear of
tow vehicle.
Compensate
for trailer
swing during
turning.
-
Do not tow
with worn
parts.
Before
towing check
hitch ball,
hitch
coupler,
safety
chains and
other
connections.
-
Be certain
the hitch
ball fully
engaged
and/or
locked in
its towing
position
before
coupling to
trailer.
-
Be certain
the
coupler-latching
pin is
functioning
properly.
Coupler must
be within
manufacturers
specifications.
Socket
should be
clean,
smooth and
lubricated.
-
Before
towing make
certain
hitch
coupler is
fully seated
and securely
latched on
hitch ball.
-
Always
attach
safety
chains.
Securely
connect
safety
chains to
the spring
loaded
U-bolt
bracket with
only enough
slack to
allow full
turning.
Excess slack
may prevent
safety
chains from
maintaining
control in
the event
hitch
connections
fail.
-
Verify
proper
operation of
trailer
lights, turn
signals,
electric
brakes and
breakaway
connections
each time
you tow.
-
Maintain
tire
inflation at
tow vehicle
and trailer
manufacturer's
recommendations.
-
Proper
trailer
loading is
critical for
safe towing.
Always
follow
trailer
manufacturers
recommendations
to
distribute
load between
trailer
axle(s) and
trailer
tongue.
-
Periodically
inspect and
re-torque
all hitch
fasteners.
-
Use towing
mirrors on
both sides
of the tow
vehicle.
-
DO NOT ALLOW
PEOPLE IN
TRAILER
WHILE
TOWING.
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