Locking trailer hitch pin issue

[xwake4lifex]

I purchased a locking trailer hitch pin.

It seems like the larger 5/8" pin will not go into the hole on my 4Runner. The smaller one does easily, but I believe I'm supposed to be using the larger one. Has anyone else had this issue? I thought I had the right item. And I have a different non-locking one that is 5/8" also, but it does fit. What gives?

 

[TowMeOut]

Yeah, I'd check the holes for maybe a bit of welding slag or some other metal burr that's causing a blockage.

Are you saying the 5/8" pin won't go through, even without any hitch piece in place (just through the outer hitch body)?? Maybe it's a manufacturing defect that the holes are the correct size but are drilled slightly offset??

Worse comes to worse maybe get yourself a cheap HF step bit and "clearance" the holes just a bit. Shoot on a few coats of rattle can and move on. My hitch is getting pretty rusty so I'm just about to show it some of this attention myself.

 

[xwake4lifex]

Yeah, I'd check the holes for maybe a bit of welding slag or some other metal burr that's causing a blockage.

Are you saying the 5/8" pin won't go through, even without any hitch piece in place (just through the outer hitch body)?? Maybe it's a manufacturing defect that the holes are the correct size but are drilled slightly offset??

Worse comes to worse maybe get yourself a cheap HF step bit and "clearance" the holes just a bit. Shoot on a few coats of rattle can and move on. My hitch is getting pretty rusty so I'm just about to show it some of this attention myself.

So I have another 5/8" pin that slides through both the passenger and driver side, easily. I can use that no problem. I checked the holes and neither one has any welding slag or anything on it that would obstruct anything.

The new locking 5/8" pin that I got will not slide through either side of the hitch. I tried giving it a tap with a hammer, but it really got stuck. I managed to pluck it back out though. I'm just not sure why this new one isn't working.

Maybe it has some kind of coating on it that's a tad bit too big?

Edit: And yeah it's the outer hitch holes. It actually fits through the shackle hitch receiver I want to use it for.

 

[TowMeOut]

All I can guess is these are some of the typical "made in China" stuff and instead of being 5/8" it's actually some kind of 16mm bar stock. That comes out to about 0.004" bigger I believe so that's maybe just enough difference for a tight fit plus the coating you mentioned.

I'd send them back to Amazon....get something in stainless. I've got a similar locking pin and I don't much care for it. The dirt and grime gets in that lock and it's hell to open. Keep your shackle in the tool bag for recoveries and don't worry about having a locking pin. That way it doesn't rust or get stolen. You don't get "cool points" for having a big shackle dangling off the back regardless of what your Jeep buddies told ya..... :bluejump: