Figure 2: Top of ball holder height should initially be set equal to the
bottom of the coupler socket height with the trailer parallel to ground,
then adjusted upward to compensate for the distance it drops when
the tongue weight is being carried.
Rise or drop is measured from the top of the receiver opening to the
top of the ball holder.
Figure 2
Drop
Set
Equal
First-time Installations
Extend and retract the lock pins into the receiver’s hitch pin
holes several times to make sure the receiver tube does not have
an issue or obstruction that may cause a future problem. If the
locking pins do get stuck in the receiver hole when installing
your ball mount the first time, refer to the troubleshooting
section for instructions on how to free it without damage. DO
NOT FORCE THE KEY!
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
1. INSTALLING BALL MOUNT DROP BAR INTO
RECEIVER
• Use the key to retract and extend the lock pins several times.
Retract the lock pins. Insert the drop bar into the receiver. Make
sure the lock pins align with the hitch pin holes in the receiver
tube. Extend the lock pins into the hitch pin holes. Replace
the lock cover tightly. If key movement is stiff or restricted,
make sure the lock pins are correctly located/centered on the
receiver’s hitch pin holes, and that there is not a burr or other
obstruction in the hole(s) that is impeding the lock pins from
fully extending or retracting.
2. INSTALLING AND ADJUSTING BALL HOLDER ON
DROP BAR
• Insert the key into the ball holder lock and retract the lock pin
(½ turn). Slide the ball holder onto the drop bar with the hitch
ball that you intend to use in the up position. With the hitch
ball at the proper height for your towing application, turn the
key counterclockwise ¼ turn to partially extend the lock pin.
At that point, slowly move the ball holder up or down a little
until the spring‑loaded lock pin snaps into the correct height
adjustment hole on the drop bar. Once the pin is in the hole
and the ball holder cannot move up or down, return the key
the final ¼ turn back to the locked position (straight up and
down), and remove the key. Visually verify that the lock pin is
fully engaged into the height adjustment hole.
• The most important consideration when setting up your
FLASH ball mount is to make sure the trailer is as close to level
(parallel to the ground) as possible while being towed. To do
this, you must set the ball height to compensate for any drop or
sag caused by the tongue weight of the trailer.
Ȳ Level the trailer by parking it on a smooth, flat surface.
Measure from the ground to the frame at both the front and
rear of the trailer. Use the tongue jack to make adjustments
until it is level (both front and rear measurments are the
same).
Ȳ Back the tow vehicle up to the trailer, leaving a few feet of
working space between them.
Ȳ Slide the Drop Bar (#1) into the tow vehicle's receiver hitch
and lock it into place.
Ȳ Measure from the ground to the bottom of the coupler on
the trailer, then lock the Ball Holder (#9) into place on the
Drop Bar at that height, with the correctly sized hitch ball for
your trailer coupler facing up.
See Figure 2
. You may need
to invert the Drop Bar and use it in the rise position to reach
the correct ball height for your particular trailer.
Ȳ Couple the trailer to the tow vehicle, and drop the full tongue
weight of the trailer on the ball mount.
Ȳ Re‑measure the coupler height, and compare it to the first
measurement. The difference between these is the distance
the ball mount should be adjusted upward to compensate for
the trailer's tongue weight.
Ȳ Uncouple the trailer.
Ȳ Raise the ball holder to the adjusted towing height, and re‑
pin it into place. It is better to tow with the trailer level, or
with the tongue angled slightly downward. If the adjusted
towing height falls between two adjustment holes, choose
the lower of the two.
Ȳ Repeat this process if the loading of your trailer changes, or
to set the ball mount up for a different trailer.
3. CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF BALL MOUNT
• Tow vehicle receiver preparation ‑ Burrs, sharp edges, or
corrosion (rust) inside of vehicle receiver tubes and especially
around the pin holes and inner lip edge of the receiver tube
must be filed off or sanded smooth and repainted before
installing your Flash ball mount. Failure to properly prep your
vehicle’s receiver tube before installing your Flash adjustable
locking ball mount can damage the ball mount and prevent the
lock pins from easily retracting when the key is turned, and
may void your warranty.
• Keep the lock cylinder mechanism clean by keeping the lock
covers over the locks. If your lock cover is lost or missing
you can purchase a new one by calling our customer service
department.
• Regularly (monthly) remove your ball mount from the receiver
and make sure the receiver is not rusting and corroding around
the ball mount or the lock pins. This is especially important in
areas where salt and other chemicals are used on roadways to
melt snow and ice. Remove your Flash ball mount and store it
inside the tow vehicle instead of in the receiver during winter
months when it will be exposed to the sand and snow melt used
on winter roads.
• Cleaning ‑ As necessary, clean around the lock pins and inside
the lock cylinder. Do this by wiping away dirt and grime with a
soft cloth and/or using compressed air. When cleaning the drop
bar and ball holder surfaces, DO NOT use degreasers or harsh
cleaners ‑ simple mild soap and water is best for aluminum.
Make sure the caps are in place and covering the lock cylinders
before washing/cleaning the aluminum. After washing, make
sure the lock cylinders are clean and dry by blowing them out
with compressed air. Aluminum rim cleaner and automobile
wax can help maintain the polished luster of the aluminum, but
don’t get it into the lock cylinder or lock pins.
• Lubrication ‑ Under normal use, lubrication is not required.
Flash locking ball mount mechanisms are sealed and internally
lubricated with high quality grease. If necessary, you may
