Max Coupler home brew grease seal

[Dell]

the 6k# coupler

Plus.... a anti-rattle hitch pin lock fitment

So I bought two Trimax anti-rattle pin locks to tighten things up a bit.

* even if your trailer or truck receiver/hitch mounts aren't sloppy at this time... down the road... they might wear in a little
These anit-rattle pins are great for minimizing that possibility

I had to modify the Trimax "U" bracket that inserts into the Max C as it was too long and tall.
Removed about 1/8" off each edge of the plates.
and cut the "U" bracket's ends off, just back to the retaining tab that the nut is welded to.

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums...in modified/6KMCwTrimaxantirattlelockpin2.jpg

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums...in modified/6KMCwTrimaxantirattlelockpin3.jpg

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums...in modified/6KMCwTrimaxantirattlelockpin8.jpg

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums...in modified/6KMCwTrimaxantirattlelockpin9.jpg


Somehow I had lost/misplaced my oem grease seal
btw... it's an oddball shape on the inner perimeter of the Max C
and the original foam grease seal really wasn't the greatest thing anyway

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums...in modified/6KMCwTrimaxantirattlelockpin7.jpg

so... I used a leaf spring spacer disc and trimmed that to fit into the Max C
I just used my grinder so it's not perfect looking... but fits purdy snug
also trimmed down the center nub to about half... to be sure and clear the hitch's lock pin when installed
^ tho I'm not so sure I had to

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums...in modified/6KMCwTrimaxantirattlelockpin5.jpg

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums...in modified/6KMCwTrimaxantirattlelockpin6.jpg



Grease seal inserted...

This new seal holds the grease back far better then the oem foam seal.
leak by, is from over pumping when the assembly was installed prior.
In fact... it leaked more out the 360* shaft, then what was pushed thru the Rr. seal.
Now I know and can feel the pressure build and when to stop pumping and not overfill.

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums...in modified/6KMCwTrimaxantirattlelockpin4.jpg

Done...

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums...n modified/6KMCwTrimaxantirattlelockpin10.jpg

and the trucks receiver hitch sports the anti-rattle as well.

These locks really tighten things up nicely... only time will tell if they stay tight...
Maybe some locktite if they could work loose.
Maybe it was in the instructions I forgot to read... ha... I'm always bad about reading that stuff.

Anyway... this looks like it is going to work real well.
and truck to trailer is solid... 'cept...
the run out/end play in the 360* rational shaft of the Max C
I wished those tolerances were better, and I think mine has worsened

=================================

 

[yzftaco]

Nice!

I just bought the newer version of the MaxCoupler, and the Inner Bolt head is SO close to the cross hole for the locking pin. I don't think I would be able to get a nut in there to use an anti rattle pin.

 

[Dell]

Nice!

I just bought the newer version of the MaxCoupler, and the Inner Bolt head is SO close to the cross hole for the locking pin. I don't think I would be able to get a nut in there to use an anti rattle pin.

Hey thanks for saying...

I was thinking about bumping up to that newer unit...
but only if the 360" shaft had less end play then the previous.

Be cool if you might double check the space remaining
from the 5/8 pin/bolt to the shaft's inner head surface.

At first look... The 6K# MC didn't look like there'd be enough room as well... but there was

I'd surely like to know without any doubt...
if you might have the time...

thanks

 

[yzftaco]

Dell,

I just measured it and it's .100", less than 1/8". You can actually see an impression on the foam cover thingie of the cross bolt it's so close.

The end play on this one is almost nil. You can barely see just a little bit. Looked like it got better once the grease was in there. I've only towed with it once so far, on a short trip.

I'm nut sure if all the new ones have the head so close to the cross hole, but mine is.

Cheers,

 

[Dell]

Thanks Mark...

guess those with the newer unit will have to rely on the oem grease seal doing the job...
Just don't over fill it I guess (messy)

bummer...
but at least the 360* shaft tolerances are claimed to be tighter then the previous model

To this day... I still don't understand how the large bolt is suppose to swivel
on the mount.

In my case... the whole bolt moves...
and is riding on the metal washers...

That can't really be how these were designed to function is it ?

I'm trying to figure out how I can mount this upside down
and still get some sort of reliability and durability with it. (+ safety)

I thought I read, in the past, it could be mounted that way...
but in attempting to do so... It just doesn't pan out so well.

I'm not even sure of the purpose of the nylon/delrin washers mixed in...
as the bolt and bracket don't seemingly turn on the those to eliminate wear
to the bolt and metal washers.

Anyone able to clue me in ?

Even better... anyone installed the mount bracket 180* with success ?

^ it's either I do that... or use a 5 1/4" drop

 

[yzftaco]

I would figure that it CAN be mounted upside down, BUT it will be the first thing you hit if you drag your rear in the dirt.

I was not given any nylon or delrin washers?? Hmm maybe someone with more seat time can chime in here..

 

[Fast Eddy]

These locks really tighten things up nicely... only time will tell if they stay tight...
Maybe some locktite if they could work loose.

If you weren't worried about it being pretty, some channel locks would make it tight.

I've got a pin for a bike rack that is basically a long bolt, threaded only about 1" near the head. The rest is just a pin, then it has a hole at the end for a hitch safety clip. It keeps the bike rack 100% tight in the hitch and is secure from anyone who doesn't have a crescent wrench.

 

[Dell]

I would figure that it CAN be mounted upside down, BUT it will be the first thing you hit if you drag your rear in the dirt.

I was not given any nylon or delrin washers?? Hmm maybe someone with more seat time can chime in here..

Do you have a previous model or is it maybe missing parts ?


What I think to know/learned/received for my 6K# M.C

assembly should be stacked like so...

bolt (shaft down)
metal washer (lg center bore)
nylon/delrin washer
U bracket (pin/bolt mount)
nylon/delrin washer
metal washer (lg center bore)
drop/rise mount
metal washer (sm center bore)
Nut

The core of the U bracket sports a sleeve thru that, external to the bolt.
the stacked washers(assmbly) sandwiches that sleeve within the U bracket/mount

when mounted in the upright position...
the nylon/delrin washer(s) should turn on plane with the metal washers.

* in looking closer... I found out that the metal washers have a concave side and a flat side (easily unnoticed)
The rounded (convex) surface of the washer must be against the nylon/delrin washer and then it seems to turn ok... but the bolt and nut have to be somewhat tight.

I learned this by breaking the assembly down and looking more closely.

I'm gonna 180* this assembly and see what results.
I realize things could be more vulnerable...
But it's still sounding better then utilizing the 5.25 drop mount
and have that hanging there.

If you weren't worried about it being pretty, some channel locks would make it tight.

I've got a pin for a bike rack that is basically a long bolt, threaded only about 1" near the head. The rest is just a pin, then it has a hole at the end for a hitch safety clip. It keeps the bike rack 100% tight in the hitch and is secure from anyone who doesn't have a crescent wrench.

I don't really care too much for purdy things...
But I do like ease of function and simplicity.

Can't say I understand your description of this vise grip method ?

 

[ntsqd]

I think that the rest of us need pictures of what you're referring to. I suspect that it is one of my two critiques of the MC's design.

 

[loup407]

I bought a MC from Adventure Trailer and had similar questions. Turns out mine shipped without a bushing and a washer ( was drop shipped from mfg, I think). With all the bits in their proper place, the coupler works fine. I also found the anti-rattle pins wouldn't fit inside my MC.