"Gary Warner" wrote in message
...

Although the lever-thing sort of locks in place, it does not stay there.
It
does
stay to some extent. But if you stop backing up it pops out. So, say you
are
backing, then need to pull forward a little to reposition yourself - the
thing
pops out.

Not a huge problem if you have two people and the other person can kind of
watch it -- but is this normal?


I suspect that it is some liability issue, or perhaps even some obscure law.
My trailer came with this little bar thingy that you can insert into the
track for the coupler motion to keep it from moving. Just like you describe,
if you pull forward it falls out.

When I complained to the boat dealer they gave me a new one that had another
bar that went over the top of the coupler and would hold it in place. They
said that these were what they used for moving the boats around their lot
and they weren't supposed to sell them to customers, but they would give me
one if I didn't tell anyone where I got it.

Fortunately, I don't have to use mine very often because I have an electric
reverse release built in. It requires a 5 pin light connection so that I can
get the reverse lights to the trailer, but then the reverse lights operate a
solenoid valve on the coupler that keeps the brakes from operating. Works
great as long as I am using the tow vehicle that has the 5 pin connector.
If I use a different car then I have to use the bar thingy.

Rod