darn hitch receiver nut won't budge

[salmonee]

I got a 2" drop / 3/4" rise hitch receiver for pulling a boat. I was afraid that the drop position may be too low ~13" and wanted to reverse the receiver for the "rise" position ~17". The problem is I can't get the big nut off. Maybe I'm just too weak. I used a big 18" crescent wrench. The thing won't budge.

If I flip the hitch receiver so the ball is facing down and the nut facing up, is clockwise the "open" direction now?

I'm going to see a boat in a couple of days and wanted to do all this in preparation. I hope I don't end up undoing it. Boat is 21' in length. Not sure how high the hitch ball is on most with this setup?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: darn hitch receiver nut won't budge

lefty loosey, righy tighty. counter clockwise. it has a big lock washer on it. get a hammer and beet heck out of the end of the wrench. i use an 18 inch pipe wrench and a 2 lb sledge hammer.

i assume you bought the boat. congrats.

 

[salmonee]

Re: darn hitch receiver nut won't budge

lefty loosey, righy tighty. counter clockwise. it has a big lock washer on it. get a hammer and beet heck out of the end of the wrench. i use an 18 inch pipe wrench and a 2 lb sledge hammer.

i assume you bought the boat. congrats.

I understand that saying. One time I was under the car working on something, I had to turn a bolt the other direction. It's a matter of how your looking at the nut. Remember I flipped the trailer receiver so the nut is facing "UP". If what your saying is true, then with the receiver hitch in and the ball facing up, you would turn the nut righty to get the nut loosey? Please confirm...

 

[crb478]

Re: darn hitch receiver nut won't budge

Soak it with PB Blaster for a few hours with the nut facing up. If that doesn't work try some heat from a propane torch. Let it heat up several minutes, 7 plus, and then get the wrench back out. If you have a pipe that will slip over the end of the wrench for leverage use that also. If you have access to an impact wrench they can also work wonders. Keep trying something will work.

 

[woosterken]

Re: darn hitch receiver nut won't budge

just take it to a truck stop,the tire changer guy can use the gun he pulls truck wheels off with.
probably won't charg you,but give him a couple bucks any way.

woosterken

 

[ondarvr]

Re: darn hitch receiver nut won't budge

Looking down on the nut with the hitch turned upside down, turn it left, or counter clockwise to loosen it.

 

[Jason 641]

Re: darn hitch receiver nut won't budge

You need more leverage, either get a pipe to slide over your crescent wrench or get a big pipe wrench. If it is rusted, once you break it loose you may have to put another pipe wrench on the ball itself to hold it from spinning while you loosen the nut. Like other have said soak it in PB Blaster or liquid wrench and tap the nut and ball with a hammer then put your wrench back on there and try to loosen it again.

If the nut is facing up to you then you will be turning it counter-clockwise to loosen, if the ball is facing up you will turn the nut clockwise(looking down)

 

[marquette]

Re: darn hitch receiver nut won't budge

not being a big fan of cresent or pipe wrenches on nuts because they eventually round them off. several years ago i spent the money at the local fleet farm store for a 3/4 drive breaker bar and the sockets to fit the 2 or 3 different size nuts on trailer balls. 3/4 bars don't flex much and at the most with a good kick to the bar the nuts come loose. get a 30 or 36 in bar then you don't need a cheater pipe on the end.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: darn hitch receiver nut won't budge

always when looking at the nut from the bottom of the bolt, righty tighty, lefty loosey, to remove a nut is counter clockwise.

 

[chicknwing]

Re: darn hitch receiver nut won't budge

try putting the hitch in the receiver so the nut is on the side and then have a go with that crescent wrench. Breaks mine free first time every time.

TC

 

[joed]

Re: darn hitch receiver nut won't budge

Put the receiver in sideways so the nut is on the right. Put your wrench on it and push down. this way you can put all your weight on it or even bang the wrench with hammer.

 

[Backyardhockey]

Re: darn hitch receiver nut won't budge

I carry a 36" pipe in all cars. Never know how tight a lugnut is. Especially with todays shorter tire irons and my weaker muscles.

 

[ksubigbuck]

Re: darn hitch receiver nut won't budge

Impacts are the cats meow when you run into situations like this.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: darn hitch receiver nut won't budge

Why is this so hard to visualize. NO: If the nut is facing up, "righty tighty" means just that. If you are beneath something and looking at the nut it is still right to tighten, left to loosen. Just to make it perfectly clear, right is clockwise -- left is counterclockwise. If you have a hard time visualizing this, go to your junk drawer, pull out a bolt and nut. Position it just as you are looking at the part you are trying to get loose. The spin the nut on the test bolt so you know which way you need to turn it. Only if you are looking at the other end of the bolt, but trying to get the nut off does one need to turn the other direction. My son-in-law has this problem and it drives me nuts watching him try to get a ratchet set in the right direction. Sorry -- it's just me.