2" Ball Articulation #'s - Bulldog vs. Common Coupler (1 Viewer)

[LFD2037]

Not super scientific but I did a little test. I had been curious, and was bored this morning, about how much more articulation a Bulldog 2" coupler had over a regular 2" coupler, if any. If you're unaware what a Bulldog coupler is you can google it. I've used them many times over a lot of years and they are very robust and a good quality coupler.

So I went to Tractor Supply this morning. Got an angle finder on one aisle and took it to the hitch/ball aisle. With a 2" ball and Bulldog coupler vs. standard coupler:
Bulldog coupler
25* sideways
35* front/back

Standard 2" coupler
22* sideways
25* front/back

10* front/back and 3* sideways more articulation using the Bulldog. Not too shabby.

The good thing about the Bulldog is (or bad thing if your trailer weighs more than your rig but since we only really talk about small off road trailers here the trailer should be way less than your rig) is it captures the ball significantly more than a regular coupler. In my eyes it would allow the trailer to still articulate a fair amount with no concern of trailer flopping over OR allowing the ball to come disconnected from the coupler. If you'll be doing dirt roads, fire roads or light rock crawling this should work really well. If you're doing hard core rock crawling with your trailer this may not be a good option.

Anyways, I was bored. Make it a great day!

Thanks.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I found through my testing better articulation from an 1 7/8 over a 2".

 

[LFD2037]

What is the weight rating on your 1 7/8" ball? Also, did you compare the 1 7/8" ball to a 2" ball in a Bulldog coupler? The more info. we can put in this thread the better! Thanks.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

1 7/8" ball is rated at 2,000 lbs

Cannot tell you 100% what all I tested but out of everything I could find the 1 7/8" using a regular hitch was the winner. With a regular hitch because of the way its spring loaded you could get more than when hooked up than just playing with it.

After this test I cut the bolt down were it would contact the hitch. With all my goofy testing the hitch/ball never came apart.

I have a bolt on multi axis coupler but I found that 95% of the time I could get by with the ball hitch. I was very surprised what a basic ball hitch could do.

 

[LFD2037]

That middle pic is crazy! Downside is 2K lb rating. Thanks for the info & pics!

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

That middle pic is crazy! Downside is 2K lb rating. Thanks for the info & pics!

No down side when your trailer weight is under 600# wet.

After pulling a much heavier AT trailer lite is the way to go hands down.

 

[LFD2037]

I didn't mean a downside to your situation, sorry. I meant for the majority, or at least for me. I'll be under 1,500lbs but like the 2:1 safety margin as a minimum.

 

[cruiserpilot]

Well, I'm impressed with the research. I use a 2" ball because my trailer is rated for #3500, cord of wood, manure etc. When
off road it seemed to handle everything ( jack-knife turns ). But I was never really sold on full axis couplers, and this seems to
indicate that when used with control the standard ball hitch is up to the task. Really good info. Thx