Troubleshooting Reese Elite Hitch that Doesn't Want to Lock In Maneuvering Position
Question:
Hi, Ive got this hitch used and thought it was working as designed, but found out today that it isnt locking in the maneuvering position. There are two bolts in slots on bottom rails that are supposed to keep slide from coming off rails. When mine is in tow position it locks fine and the bolts arent snug against the stops, but when I try to put it in maneuvering it doesnt lock in because the bolts hit the stop and wont allow the pins to down. This also keeps me from putting in the lock pin. If I remove the bolts the hitch will then lock for maneuvering, but then no bolts to keep it from going past. Im not sure if using smaller bolts is the correct fix. Any ideas why its doing this? Thanx
asked by: Dean D
Expert Reply:
I spoke with my contact at Reese about what you are experiencing and he sent me back this:
The 3/8” bolt and nut shown below is the stop so slider unit does not slide completely off the rails. This bolt set-up should be loose so that it can slide fore and aft along the slot in the slider. When moving slider assy. to the Tow position the bolt would slide over to one side of the slot and then when moving slider assy. to the Maneuvering position the bolt would slide over to the other side of the slot.
There shouldn’t be any modification needed to allow slider assy. to travel far enough for the jaw to engage/lock. Here are a few recommendations that might resolve issue with engagement:
Remove plastic covers to see how far the Jaw is from the slot intended to engage into.
The slide rails are adjustable and possibly one slide rail needs to be adjusted further forward or rearward to allow engagement of Jaw. To move fore or aft., loosen the jam nuts and anchor bushings and move slide rail fore or aft.
Lubricate slide rails (top side and vertical sides) with white lithium grease. This will allow unit to slide better and minimize the chance of 1 slider reaching max travel and not the other side.
