think am knackered with this one...

MustRib · 26 June 2011, 14:30

Indespension Vario with Cast Indespension locking hitch..
lost the keys ... both of them

Anyone pm me any secret code on the hitch head that will let me get another key for the thing?

Its not the Bradley style hitch, the lock barrel seems to be spring loaded so only withdraws a cm or so when unlocked to allow the handle to come up..
If I drill out the lock barrel can I replace it with a regular Bradley style lock barrel?

SimonCh · 26 June 2011, 16:12

I am probably wrong, but is the key even totally necessary or can you pull the barrell far enough out of the hitch using a screwdriver or needle nose pliers? Obviously you will want another key, but this is just incase you are desperate for the short term

Simon

MustRib · 26 June 2011, 16:51

trying it now .....

err nope... not possible.. lock needs to turn to pull out
and it needs a key for that

SimonCh · 26 June 2011, 18:43

sorry mate if i got your hopes up! I'm fairly sure you can use mine without the key - awesome design.... or not :\

Chin up - could be worse! at least its not hitched to the car....May look cool driving to work with your rib in tow, but parking would be a bitch!

jyasaki · 26 June 2011, 22:36

Call a locksmith and get him to bring over his pick tools. Should be less than a hundred bucks. Once out, he may be able to pull the barrel and make a new key from an inspection of the innards (or rekey it.)

jky

MustRib · 26 June 2011, 22:46

Hi - thanks for suggestions... reason i am having a bit of a tailspin on this one
is that I just sold the trailer for £240.
Don't want to lash out a fortune to resolve the situation.
I had listed the trailer for sale with two keys for the hitch lock, I even found them and tried them again to make sure they were the correct ones.
Went off to work for a fortnight, came back and cant find the keys anywhere.

Two kinds of locking hitch on Indespension trailers, the Bradley type where the lock barrel comes out of the hitch when you unlock it, and the cast type as fitted to this trailer, where the lock barrel travels out about a cm when you unlock it, so you can lift the hitch handle up, otherwise it locks it in the down position.
so if any one out there in Ribnetville is familiar with the cast type indespension hitch, can you drill out the lock and fit a bradley barrel in its place?

Poly · 26 June 2011, 22:52

Can you just unbolt the hitch and replace? Iirc a new hitch is only about 25 quid.

MustRib · 26 June 2011, 23:27

if only it was that easy..
head is held on by two bolts..first is no problem
second one has some kind of anti theft hardened steel cover over it.
no visible way of removing it, dont have access to an air chisel.
Could try grinding it off, but still hoping someone will know about replacing lock barrel with Bradley type as I think it would be less damaging solution

thanks Polwart

AVONMON · 27 June 2011, 08:32

Hi,if it is the same as mine,there is a pin holding the barrel lock and rocking latch assembly.The pin is the hinge to it.On one side is a coupling wear indicater,grind/hacksaw this off,drive the pin out,and the whole assembly comes off,you can then hitch up.Get a new lock @ £15 with keys.Rebuild,put a blob of weld over the pin for the next time !

MustRib · 27 June 2011, 14:00

that doesnt sound right...
am off to Indespension now - talk to the man with the gun and the mask behind the desk and see what he says.

MustRib · 27 June 2011, 16:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by MustRib

that doesnt sound right...
am off to Indespension now - talk to the man with the gun and the mask behind the desk and see what he says.

Well - they said I have to grind off the capped bolt head, and then chuck the hitch away. Lock barrels can't be changed in the cast hitch head version I have.
They have only recently started logging locking hitch key numbers against
customers names !!
angle grinder time !

MustRib · 28 June 2011, 12:36

to grind off the "security" cap - had the hitch removed in about 10 minutes and a new pressed steel one fitted in about 5 minutes.
15 minutes and a battery angle grinder and I could have been towing the trailer away. Food for thought.

Leapy · 28 June 2011, 12:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by MustRib

to grind off the "security" cap - had the hitch removed in about 10 minutes and a new pressed steel one fitted in about 5 minutes.
15 minutes and a battery angle grinder and I could have been towing the trailer away. Food for thought.

As Nos said in another thread...there ain't nothing that can't be undone and nicked with the right tools