Couplers/ Hitches/ and other trailer Connecting Devices. (1 Viewer)

[Metal Twister]

This was a response to the FAQ sticky that I posted.

I didn't want to derail that thread so I thought I would start a new thread here. If there is a definitive thread here on couplers / hitches and other devices that could be resurrected please feel free to post up the links to it. My guess is that this topic has most likely been beat into the ground so it probably is a good candidate for a new FAQ section. I was thinking it might be nice to have a place to compare, find, and purchase different couplers / hitches, and like devices. Maybe a testimonial sections on likes or dislikes of the different designs and models available? And finally a good place to purchase them in your part of the world or on line. Just where are the best deals?

 

[MaddBaggins]

I'm curious why you prefer the Multi Axis coupler over the second one pictured?
I started a new thread here so we don't side rack this thread. Thanks

The Lock and Roll was what came on my old AT. It performed great under all conditions. I purchased the Maxi Coupler for my new trailer build. It works the same way, articulating on 3 axis. I like it's simpler design over the Lock and Roll.

Lock and Roll


Max Coupler

 

[Metal Twister]

The Lock and Roll was what came on my old AT. It performed great under all conditions. I purchased the Maxi Coupler for my new trailer build. It works the same way, articulating on 3 axis. I like it's simpler design over the Lock and Roll.

Lock and Roll


Max Coupler

No doubt the maxi coupler is a much simpler looking product but does it seem as well built and strong when comparing them? I cant see where it would have any less range of motion than the AT hitch? Thanks for the info and posting this up.

 

[titanpat57]

Lock and Roll had some service issues awhile back...I believe they have addressed them and moved forward with a new unit not susceptible to twisting like the old.

https://locknroll.com/

Max Coupler has been around for probably 5 years or so...maybe less...and has been flawless in operation as far as I can tell (and I cruise a few trailer forums)

http://www.kilbystore.com/maxcoupler.html

it is also sold in the AT store

http://store.adventuretrailers.com/products/Max-Coupler.html

There was an article addressing conventional trailer couplers...and the Bulldog won that for the most articulation for a simplified coupler.

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Coupler/Bulldog/BD028243.html

 

[Skillet]

My pintle hitch is beefy, strong and time tested.


Yea, it makes noise sometimes, but if it's good enough for military service all over the world, it is good enough for me.


What are the big issues there?

 

[Metal Twister]

My pintle hitch is beefy, strong and time tested.


Yea, it makes noise sometimes, but if it's good enough for military service all over the world, it is good enough for me.


What are the big issues there?

No issues that I know of? Enlighten us. Are all Pintle's built the same or are there differences in them as well? Preferred brand name? Which does our military use?

 

[Skillet]

No issues that I know of? Enlighten us. Are all Pintle's built the same or are there differences in them as well? Preferred brand name? Which does our military use?

the lunette I have is Canadian military...I have no clue who the original manufacturer is, but they all seem fairly bullet proof.


the pintle hitch itself I got off of amazon for $60. it's made by curt and rated to 20,000 lbs...


zero problems so far.


http://www.curtmfg.com/part/48004

 

[Metal Twister]

the lunette I have is Canadian military...I have no clue who the original manufacturer is, but they all seem fairly bullet proof.


the pintle hitch itself I got off of amazon for $60. it's made by curt and rated to 20,000 lbs...


zero problems so far.


http://www.curtmfg.com/part/48004

I dont have any experience with Lunette's what so ever but I think I remember someone making a POLY insert of some type to quiet it down if that is an issue? Anyone know about a noiseless Pentle?

 

[Skillet]

I dont have any experience with Lunette's what so ever but I think I remember someone making a POLY insert of some type to quiet it down if that is an issue? Anyone know about a noiseless Pentle?

meh...the noise has never been an issue with me.


it clunks a little when you back up or while doing some funky maneuvers. it's not like it constantly makes noise while you drive.


I'll take strength with a little extra noise any day of the week.

 

[yzftaco]

Skillet have you wheeled with the trailer yet?

I think when people complain about pintle noise is when they're on trail, on the road it's always being pulled so it's not going to make noise.

A couple years back I borrowed KT40's m416 to go camping.. it has a pintle too, and I don't remember it being crazy noisy. I now have my own, and a MaxCoupler I don't hear any noise now... Ahhh

meh...the noise has never been an issue with me.


it clunks a little when you back up or while doing some funky maneuvers. it's not like it constantly makes noise while you drive.


I'll take strength with a little extra noise any day of the week.

 

[Skillet]

Skillet have you wheeled with the trailer yet?

I think when people complain about pintle noise is when they're on trail, on the road it's always being pulled so it's not going to make noise.

A couple years back I borrowed KT40's m416 to go camping.. it has a pintle too, and I don't remember it being crazy noisy. I now have my own, and a MaxCoupler I don't hear any noise now... Ahhh

Yes, I have wheeled it and I do hear the occasional clunk. Not saying that perfectly quiet is not a nice thing, but for $250 for one of the Max or Lock n' Roll... I will stick with the pintle until if fails, which will likely be in Nevuary...

 

[cruiserpilot]

This is a great thread, I've always seen, but never known the name of the "Bulldog". It seems to be a good
compromise, very heavy duty at a reasonable price. I don't plan to tow a trailer on the Rubicon, so a pintle - albeit- super strong, maneuverable, seems kind of over the top. Remember, opinion here! As for cost, lunette and pintle hitch can be pretty pricey - right?
I tow hunting and back roads, quad trailer with canoe kind of thing. I've had to do some pretty tricky maneuvering with standard 2" ball hitch. I have bent one so far.
That max coupler, I really like. But I'm a bit confused, does it require receiver tube on the trailer and the truck? That is what it looks like to me.

 

[MaddBaggins]

This is a great thread, I've always seen, but never known the name of the "Bulldog". It seems to be a good
compromise, very heavy duty at a reasonable price. I don't plan to tow a trailer on the Rubicon, so a pintle - albeit- super strong, maneuverable, seems kind of over the top. Remember, opinion here! As for cost, lunette and pintle hitch can be pretty pricey - right?
I tow hunting and back roads, quad trailer with canoe kind of thing. I've had to do some pretty tricky maneuvering with standard 2" ball hitch. I have bent one so far.
That max coupler, I really like. But I'm a bit confused, does it require receiver tube on the trailer and the truck? That is what it looks like to me.

You are correct, receiver tube on both sides. On the truck side, you remove the ball from the hitch and replace it with one side of the Max Coupler or Lock and Roll. The other half goes into the receiver tube on the trailer.

 

[Metal Twister]

A fairly complete selection of pintle for sale... which one is the hot set up?

http://www.thehitchstore.com/hitch-accessories-pintle-hooks-drawbars-c-29_51.html

And this link for all the others...
https://ixquick-proxy.com/do/spg/sh.../www.campertrailers.org/ozhitch_coupling3.JPG

 

[scrapdaddy]

On the pintle/ lunette hitches, you will have more clunking ( noise ) if you don't match the two up. Some have a large ( heavy weight ) pintle on the truck and run a small ( light weight ) lunette on the trailer.


If you look at how the Military matches them, they are a lot tighter fitting, less clunking.


Doesn't the right tongue weight have something to do with it. If I have weight in the back of my trailer, it will bounce up and down on the hitch.

 

[cruiserpilot]

I have heard that the pintle ball and hook are not a good idea for snatch-strap recovery. The ball is known
to let go. Is this myth or fact? Anyone had one work well or fail?

 

[titanpat57]

I have heard that the pintle ball and hook are not a good idea for snatch-strap recovery. The ball is known
to let go. Is this myth or fact? Anyone had one work well or fail?

This is true...there is a picture floating around with a truck with a ball embedded in the tailgate due to someone hooking a strap to it...use only frame mounted recovery points.

 

[Metal Twister]

This is true...there is a picture floating around with a truck with a ball embedded in the tailgate due to someone hooking a strap to it...use only frame mounted recovery points.

X's two on the recovery hooks or d rings that are frame mounted. Pulling a trailer by the hitch isnt the same as lifting a heavy truck with it.

 

[Mark Harley]

This is what happened when someone used a trailer ball to tug a vehicle out.
imagine if that hit a bystander?

 

[cruiserpilot]

What I'd like to see is pictures of proper pintle and lunette setups and dimensions of different sizes. Someone mentioned the military has better sizing to reduce coupler movement and noise. How much weight does the lunette/pintle weigh by themselves?
I've had to turn around on a couple of narrow roads, I have a technique of jack knifing my trailer, it loads up the hitch pretty bad. I've even basically pushed the whole trailer sideways a couple of times getting the position just right. Will the max coupler take that kind of side load?