The trailer hitch accessory is used for guiding a trailer hitch to a ball joint. The hitch accessory has a hollow housing (25) with a front end (40) with angled sidewalls (30a, 30b). A cord (24) is attached to the axle (48) and extends through the front end (40). A U-shaped lock mechanism (31) is attached to the housing (25) and has opposite sidewalls (52,54). The sidewalls each has a groove (58, 72) defined therein. The lock mechanism (31) is adapted to receive the trailer hitch (12) but not an outwardly protruding bolt (13). The trailer hitch (12) is positionable inside the U-shaped lock mechanism (31) only when outer ends of the bolt (13) are disposed in the grooves (68, 78) defined in the sidewalls. A locking plate (64, 80) slidably attached to the sidewalls (52, 54) to lock the outer ends (15) of the bolt.