I need a new coupler for my trailer - whick one is best?

[Workstead]

I was rear ended when pulling my trailer and now I have to replace the damaged coupler. The trailer is a 16ft 75 inch landscape type trailer with two 3500 lb axle's, one with brakes. The heaviest thing I haul occasionally is my MF1250 tractor with an FEL.

I have a coupler in my stash, but it is too lightweight, so I have to buy a new one. I have looked a little and have seen different type closers that close over the ball on the tow vehicle. Some come down over the ball and some squeeze around the ball. Then there is the ring type coupler. The previous coupler was a 5000 lb A frame that closed over the 2" ball.

If I am going to change the type of coupler, now is the time to do it.

Which type should I get?

Thanks,

Clem

 

[grsthegreat]

I was rear ended when pulling my trailer and now I have to replace the damaged coupler. The trailer is a 16ft 75 inch landscape type trailer with two 3500 lb axle's, one with brakes. The heaviest thing I haul occasionally is my MF1250 tractor with an FEL.

I have a coupler in my stash, but it is too lightweight, so I have to buy a new one. I have looked a little and have seen different type closers that close over the ball on the tow vehicle. Some come down over the ball and some squeeze around the ball. Then there is the ring type coupler. The previous coupler was a 2" that closed over the ball.

If I am going to change the type of coupler, now is the time to do it.

Which type should I get?



Thanks,

Clem

yeiks, ive seen so many different kinds of couplers on so many different kinds of trailers, but i really dont know which is best.

or if it makes any difference.

How did you damage your old one???

 

[Workstead]

yeiks....

How did you damage your old one???

When I was hit from behind the trailer was driven down and under my truck and the old coupler was crimped over the ball.

 

[grsthegreat]

Yeiks. I would say if that coupler stayed attached to the ball, than its a good choice for replacement type :laughing:

 

[brokenknee]

Bull dog makes a good coupler, down side is you have to keep them well lubricated or you are going to have trouble.

 

[Workstead]

Yeiks. I would say if that coupler stayed attached to the ball, than its a good choice for replacement type :laughing:

Good point!

 

[Workstead]

Bull dog makes a good coupler, down side is you have to keep them well lubricated or you are going to have trouble.

I have a Bulldog on an old trailer I picked up, that was previously a sailboat trailer, that was modified to a utility trailer. The hitch is touchy so it probably needs some lubrication help. The previous coupler on my damaged trailer was also touchy and most times I had to "persuade" it to fit over the ball.

 

[Skyco]

I prefer the Bulldog coupler...:thumbsup:

 

[brokenot]

I like the weldable cast steel couplers from Croft, here's one example:

H-3, Products

We've used couplers like this on rental trailers for years, and they will be absolutely the last thing damaged under circumstances like you described. Most trailer couplers are stamped steel, and are subject to bending/tweaking if someone jack knifes the trailer while backing up and such. Once they get even a little tweaked, they never operate correctly again. Couplers like this one from Croft are incredibly conservatively rated, this one says 5000#, but if you picked it up you'd see that there's maybe twice as much material there as there is with a stamped steel coupler of the same rating.

In every day type usage, these things outlast the stamped couplers by at least 2:1, and the internal parts are all available separately if they ever do require replacement.

 

[whistlepig]

I prefer the Bulldog coupler...:thumbsup:

Me too.