Trailer Hitch Reciever

[Tacostik]

I went to trailer my boat yesterday and the flat piece that locks down to secure the ball hitch would not work. I didn't want to force it so I lost a pretty day on the water as a result. I looked up inside the receiver and there was a small metal piece that was sticking out and not letting the ball fully go in. It looks like there is a small coil spring that is attached to it, but I could not make heads or tails of how it worked. I finally managed to push the piece to the side, which let the ball go all the way in, but the flat piece would not go down or lock. Sorry if what I am describing is not clear and I will take some pics this weekend. I am just hoping that this is an easy fix that prevents a trip to the trailer repair guy. Anyone have any ideas? BTW this is my first post as a paying member.

[85 Barefoot]

I went to trailer my boat yesterday and the flat piece that locks down to secure the ball hitch would not work. I didn't want to force it so I lost a pretty day on the water as a result. I looked up inside the receiver and there was a small metal piece that was sticking out and not letting the ball fully go in. It looks like there is a small coil spring that is attached to it, but I could not make heads or tails of how it worked. I finally managed to push the piece to the side, which let the ball go all the way in, but the flat piece would not go down or lock. Sorry if what I am describing is not clear and I will take some pics this weekend. I am just hoping that this is an easy fix that prevents a trip to the trailer repair guy. Anyone have any ideas? BTW this is my first post as a paying member.

Did you depressurize the coupler? In other words, slam on brakes while in reverse to get all the slack out? I have to that fairly often to clamp mine