Finally made it out of the driveway!

2Cougs2Cougs Member Posts: 917
After having bought our T@B just in time to spend the night in the driveway, winterize it and put it in the garage, we finally had our maiden voyage!  Took off spur of the moment for Riley Creek, an Army Corp of Engineers campground just east of Priest River, Idaho.  Driveway to this pic was about 90 minutes.  Hardest part was the difficult hitch... definitely needs breaking in.

Cheers to all of you who have shared your knowledge, and to many more wonderful T@bventures! :)
2016 T@B CS-S silver with white trim and WSU themed
Pulled by a silver 2017 Chevy Silverado
Leaves on T@bventures from Spokane, WA


Comments

  • HomebodyatheartHomebodyatheart Member Posts: 2,511
    A can of silicone spray is your new best friend! I use it liberally on my hitch and ball and after two trips it is getting much better! Works in the keder rail, and other spots, too! Congratulations on your successful maiden voyage!
    2017 T@B 320 Max S silver and cherry red, L@dybug ("Bug" aka my esc@pe pod), TV 2015 Toyota Highlander aka Big Red
  • ClaudeAClaudeA Member Posts: 54
    We just bought a 2016 cs-s with red trim and same difficulty with the hitch.  Doesn't matter, still love the trailer anyway.  Enjoy.
    2016 CS-S silver and red, 2022 Toyota Sienna Hybrid
    Ottawa, Ontario
  • NewfisherNewfisher Member Posts: 105
    I had difficulty with my hitch as well. I now block the front of the drivers side wheel and then jump in the rig and tug on the trailer with the tow rig as the trailer is blocked. This helps alot! It seems to put just enough clearance in the tongue mechanism to release it.
  • Tabaz Tabaz Member Posts: 2,365
    The ball cover on the hitch tilts up, then slides back. Takes a little getting used to. I sometimes need to wedge a claw hammer between the lower edge of that cover and the lip of the tongue to get it up and back. When the cover doesn't want to go down over the ball, simply get in your TV and very slowly start to drive away. Within a second or two, you'll feel the tongue seat on the ball. Get out and slide the cover over the ball. Silicone spray is also a big help.
    2016 Outback 320 with a 2010 Ford Expedition,
    2024 Ford F150 Supercrew short bed.
  • ericnlizericnliz Member Posts: 4,437
    @2Cougs, Nice & glad you two got a well deserved break! Next adventure??? Soon I hope! :)
    2016 T@B MAX S-aka: WolfT@B
    TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
    Spokane, Wa.
    Eric aka: Lone Wolf  


  • JandJ92010JandJ92010 Member Posts: 304
    There is also an adjusting nut on the bottom side of the hitch socket to loosen the tension up a little. Had to loosen one up on one of my utility trailers.
    The HobbiT@B, 2015-L, towed by a2014 RAM C/V
  • 2Cougs2Cougs Member Posts: 917
    Thanks everyone for the help... One of the things I love about this forum.... A hundred heads are better than one!
    2016 T@B CS-S silver with white trim and WSU themed
    Pulled by a silver 2017 Chevy Silverado
    Leaves on T@bventures from Spokane, WA


  • Tabaz Tabaz Member Posts: 2,365
    J and j - was not aware of the adjusting nut.  Will try to find it.
    2016 Outback 320 with a 2010 Ford Expedition,
    2024 Ford F150 Supercrew short bed.
  • TerryV6TerryV6 Member Posts: 1,092
    After a year of use, our hitch has gotten friendlier as it has probably been broken in somewhat.  The first time was nasty and some Vaseline  helped us...
    Terry & Jody...  2016 Dodge Ram 1500
    2016 NuCamp 320 T@B Max S
    T@bbey  Road   
    Appleton,  WI





  • creamsiclecreamsicle Member Posts: 18
    2Cougs said:
    After having bought our T@B just in time to spend the night in the driveway, winterize it and put it in the garage, we finally had our maiden voyage!  Took off spur of the moment for Riley Creek, an Army Corp of Engineers campground just east of Priest River, Idaho.  Driveway to this pic was about 90 minutes.  Hardest part was the difficult hitch... definitely needs breaking in.

    Cheers to all of you who have shared your knowledge, and to many more wonderful T@bventures! :)
    Love the lights around the kitchen. I'm having the same problem with the hitch, will try grease and moving forward and back with my rig.
  • HomebodyatheartHomebodyatheart Member Posts: 2,511
    Creamsicle, I swear by silicone spray! I brought a can to our walk through and the tech sprayed the hitch handle, underneath, and ball liberally with it. I've sprayed it the first few times I've hitched up and now it is better, including spraying the trailer dolly. I also use it on our garage door runners, and a friends bike at the last T@B gathering. I love this stuff!
    2017 T@B 320 Max S silver and cherry red, L@dybug ("Bug" aka my esc@pe pod), TV 2015 Toyota Highlander aka Big Red
  • 2Cougs2Cougs Member Posts: 917
    @creamsicle and @Homebodyatheart - ok... We have more experience and more knowledge now.  Silicone spray helps, but even more so we found a "secret button"!  Under the tongue there is a small U shaped bracket.  If you pull it down before you lower the coupler, you can get the U shaped bracket low enough so when you let go of it that "sticking" where the coupler won't seat on the ball no longer happens, and the bracket can now grab the bottom of the ball.  (Hard to describe in words... But go look under there. ) Couplers may change from year to year, but this works like a charm on ours!
    2016 T@B CS-S silver with white trim and WSU themed
    Pulled by a silver 2017 Chevy Silverado
    Leaves on T@bventures from Spokane, WA


  • DalehelmanDalehelman Member Posts: 2,410
    edited June 2017
    There is also an adjusting nut on the bottom side of the hitch socket to loosen the tension up a little. Had to loosen one up on one of my utility trailers.


    There is no adjustment nut on the NuCamp hitch.
    1. Hash  T@B Fun
  • 2Cougs2Cougs Member Posts: 917
    It is not really a nut...just a piece of metal that we need to push down before the coupler will pull the rest of the way over the ball.
    2016 T@B CS-S silver with white trim and WSU themed
    Pulled by a silver 2017 Chevy Silverado
    Leaves on T@bventures from Spokane, WA


  • TTTabTTTab Member Posts: 100
    I was going to add silicone spray to my Amazon cart.  There are so many kinds and different types.  Please tell me which type, wet or dry, and what brand you would buy.  Thanks

    2015 T@B M@x S silver and white
    tv 2010 Lexus RX350 Matador red  
  • HomebodyatheartHomebodyatheart Member Posts: 2,511
    @TTTab I buy the stuff in the spray can. I'm not home so I'm not sure of the brand. I've had a couple and I know one is liquid wrench brand. I use it on our garage doors twice a year to keep them rolling up and down smoothly. It also works well on squeaky bike parts and wet suit zippers as I believe it does not degrade the neoprene. Anyway, good stuff!
    2017 T@B 320 Max S silver and cherry red, L@dybug ("Bug" aka my esc@pe pod), TV 2015 Toyota Highlander aka Big Red
  • TTTabTTTab Member Posts: 100
    Thanks @Homebodyatheart  I have been out of commission and am trying to get everything into my cart to be ready to head out as soon as I am able.  Living vicariously thru all of you is helping me to plan for being able to take off later this summer.  My goal is to be in Fort Townsend WA in Sept.

    2015 T@B M@x S silver and white
    tv 2010 Lexus RX350 Matador red  
  • 2Cougs2Cougs Member Posts: 917
    @TTTab- I hope you make it to Ft Townsend!  We will be there... our first T@b campout.
    2016 T@B CS-S silver with white trim and WSU themed
    Pulled by a silver 2017 Chevy Silverado
    Leaves on T@bventures from Spokane, WA


  • 2Cougs2Cougs Member Posts: 917
    This is looking under the hitch and shows the lever I am talking about.  By fiddling with it the coupler comes over the ball MUCH easier.  Thank goodness for cell phone cameras... just point the direction you want to take the picture and you don't have to get on your hands and knees!!! :o
    2016 T@B CS-S silver with white trim and WSU themed
    Pulled by a silver 2017 Chevy Silverado
    Leaves on T@bventures from Spokane, WA


  • ericnlizericnliz Member Posts: 4,437
    Ha, ah, Ha! =)
    2016 T@B MAX S-aka: WolfT@B
    TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
    Spokane, Wa.
    Eric aka: Lone Wolf  


  • DogdenDogden Member Posts: 6
    TTTab--- Fort Townsend... me too and I don't even have delivery yet!  
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