Boat Trailer Coupler Became Disconnected from Ball on 2014 Acura RDX

Question:

Hello. I recently purchased from you and installed a Curt trailer receiver C13130 on my 2014 Acura RDX. I also purchased and installed a Curt dual length ball mount C45240, using the 4 1/2inch rise at the shortest position from the bumper, and a 2inch ball 63845. I connected my brand new Triton KL aluminum trailer, making sure the trailer tongue was level with the ball it was exactly level when connected. I engaged the 2inch tongue coupler and locked it with a Deadbolt coupler lock 7685. I drove the empty trailer a short distance and then went over a speed bump in my condo complex. When the trailer wheels hit the speed bump the trailer disengaged from the ball. The coupler remained closed and locked, so the ball must have slipped through the coupler collar. The coupler does not appear to be damaged. Fortunately I was going slow and the safety chains held the trailer to the car. Do you have any idea why this happened? The trailer coupler appears to be working as it is supposed to its brand new the trailer had been delivered to me from 80 miles away without incident by someone towing it behind a pickup truck. Im wondering if the ball was mounted too close to the bumper, creating a severe angle for the trailer when it went over the speed bump. Will simply moving the adjustable ball mount out a few inches prevent this problem?How far from the bumper should a ball be mounted? Thanks for your response.

asked by: Jim G

Helpful Expert Reply:

Check the trailer coupler to see if it is meant to take a 2-5/16 inch ball. If so then the 2 inch ball you have will not be large enough and this issue could keep happening. If it does take a 2 inch ball then either the coupler was not fully secured or something needs to be adjusted with the coupler. Most couplers will have a nut to tighten or loosen that is accessible on the bottom.

On some vehicles there is a specific distance the ball has to be from the rear axle of the tow vehicle. But I checked the owner's manual for the 2014 Acura RDX and it doesn't have any restriction. You can certainly try the longer distance but it would have had to have been a very severe angle for the coupler to snap off the ball like that.

expert reply by: Michael H