Bulldog trailer hitch lock barrel stuck

[MickeyW]

I have a Bulldog brand hitch lock that I use on my Ifor that uses one of the round type lock barrels like below.

The other day I took it off the trailer and as per usual reassembled it to keep all parts together and slung it in the back of the Landy. Later when I went to refit it I found I couldn't get the key in the lock. Somehow part of the lock barrel has rotated while.
The features I have highlighted with a blue line need to be aligned for the key to be inserted, and somehow things have got out of position.

I've had a poke about with a small screwdriver, yet nothing seems able to be rotated. Prior to this the lock has been free and easy to operate, so I'm thoroughly puzzled how this has happened and that I can't easily realign it.

Can anyone offer any helpful suggestions?

 

[RonMig]

If you can't get the key in, try making a tool like the ones demonstrated by the lockpickinglawyer, below... ?
Steel from an old woodsaw or hacksaw blade might be strong enough... ?

and this one shows a transparent one, & how the interior pins layout works...

 

[Misterg]

Can anyone offer any helpful suggestions?

Can you reach the latch inside and try turning it directly to bring the inner part of the lock back into line?

 

[pedrobedro]

I had trouble with the one on our steering wheel lock and was panicking. I did what they say not to do and fired a drop of penetrating oil in it then put the key in pushing it down and jiggling it vigorously and it turned and opened and has been no problem since.

 

[CornishPete]

Two weeks ago I had the same problem. After an hour of faffing I ended up cutting the bolt off, which incidentally took about 3 minutes with a 4 1/2 inch 18v erbauer angle grinder and used about 10mm of a DeWalt metal cutting disc! Was pretty shocked how easy it cut through it, I always thought those hitch locks were petty safe!

 

[Nomad]

Is it as simple as the "anti-drill" collar on the outside has spun around slightly - just turn it back using a screwdriver or internal circlip pliers until it lines up again??

 

[MickeyW]

If you can't get the key in, try making a tool like the ones demonstrated by the lockpickinglawyer, below... ?
Steel from an old woodsaw or hacksaw blade might be strong enough... ?

and this one shows a transparent one, & how the interior pins layout works...

Thanks for the video links Ron. I had never looked into how these locks work. Hopefully I can pick this one into usefulness again.

 

[MickeyW]

Two weeks ago I had the same problem. After an hour of faffing I ended up cutting the bolt off, which incidentally took about 3 minutes with a 4 1/2 inch 18v erbauer angle grinder and used about 10mm of a DeWalt metal cutting disc! Was pretty shocked how easy it cut through it, I always thought those hitch locks were petty safe!

I'd rather not resort to this approach, especially as it isn't locked onto the trailer. A new pin is not cheap.

 

[creepy]

I have had the same issue in the past, I removed the little pin from the key and could then insert the key in the "correct" position to open the lock. Hope that helps def cheaper than a new pin if a little more hassle to use.