Off-road couplings

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Off-road couplings

KiloBravo · Member

Try a Mc Hitch Auto coupler, very well built and easy to hitch up and unhitch. Watch the video, I have one, works great.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

I have used a Tregg for 25 years.
Simple, cheap and effective. Others may be easier to line up, but you will also pay a lot extra for the small inconvenience.

This trailer fitted with a Tregg rotated 270 degrees without taking the motorhome with it. If it had gone a bit further, it would have finished up back on its wheels :)

Trailer 02E.jpg

Cheers,

Peter

Dhutime · Senior Member

Recently installed an easy-hitch .Check out their web site .Very happy with it .We had a mchitch auto coupling before this,and think the Easy-Hitch is the best.

Possum3 · Guru

I have gone from Tregg to Hitchmaster D035 Off-Road Hitch Video Here www.vehiclecomponents.com.au/hitches-couplings/hitchmaster-do35-v21-trailer-coupling-1

Installation Instructions here www.tradervs.com.au/features/1507/installing-a-do35-offroad-hitch

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Hi Dhutime, You mentioned an Easy-hitch. The only item I can find with this name is a guide that lets you couple a standard coupling to the ball easier.

However, I found a thing called the OZ-hitch which seems to be much easier in coupling up. Is this what you have? I also saw a not-so-nice picture of one on these hitches that failed.

Peter, Unfortunately the Treg unit is now amongst the most expensive couplings ($530 with the brake lever) on the market (from Tregs themselves) although I haven't checked eBay prices yet. In the past I found them to be simple & easy to use.
My first sighting of a Treg was on an old Furness caravan that a friend was renovating. The block was rubber in those days & for people unaware of the "quality" build of Furness vans - the outer skin was Masonite with taped joints!

Thanks for the replies so far, I've a bit of investigation to do!

Warren

rgren2 · Guru

Another vote for the DO35. Can't fault it, also had it on my campertrailer.

Bass · Senior Member

Hi, Just removed our Mchitch auto coupler, and for the interem put the normal Alco back on. were going to put hyland hitch but will wait and see. the Mchitch will be for sale shortly its only done a few trips.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Hi Bass, I hope you don't mind but why are you changing from the Mchitch?

Bryan · Guru

rgren2 wrote:
Another vote for the DO35. Can't fault it, also had it on my campertrailer.

Yet another vote for DO35

macka17 · Guru

Hi.

Most of those are just copies of the "Hyland" ball hitch.
I've had 2.
Ball mounted so it can rotate FULLY round itself.
and if caravan wasn't there it would rotate 360 in that direction too.
Easy to use. strong as.
Only thing to remember is when unhitching. the ball cup has a little flange in casting.
Stop van. Van brake on. roll back tug 1\4 to 1\2 in.
It just lifts off.
OH the others are all more expensive, for the same job.
Check one out.

Hardranger · Member

http://www.hitch-ezy.com.au I am happy with this beast.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Hi Bass,
The Hyland is no longer being made. The factory closed in January due to ill health, I believe. There was some news about it in some magazines, stating that the closure it shocked a number of caravan companies who used it on their vans. The web site no longer is available.

Peter, the Treg hitch is now over $500 (dearer than many of the others. I saw some on eBay but I suspect they are Chinese copies. As I said, I'm kicking myself for not removing it off my Eagle!

The hitch-ezy is impressive, seems similar to the D035. One question on the D035, how long does the plastic cap last for?
Some thinking is required!

Warren

Dhutime · Senior Member

Hi Warren sorry should have written Hitch-Ezy.com.au I bought ours through Lovells when we got our 4t GVM upgrade done to our Landcruiser . Dhutime

Bass · Senior Member

Hi Dougwe, I found the McHitch far to difficult in all but caravan park concrete pads. it is perhaps easier to hook up IF you have the van at the right height and the wheels chocked, but unhooking is a nightmare it is very hard to work out if the pressure is off or not, you lift the lever and pull the pin, nup wind jockey up a bit and try pin again, no , wind jockey wheel again and try pin again etc, etc , etc. If you only stayed in caravan parks it would perhaps be just ok, however we drag our van all over the place ( not at the moment chemo has buggered me ) and rarely is the car and van on the same plane. A side note 2 friends, one has replaced his with a DO35, and other (like me) back to standard coupling.
The Mchitch appeared to be very well built and would probably last a long time but it was just not for me.
Warren... local shop has a few hylands on the shelf so I guess I had better move fast.

Cheers Bass

macka17 · Guru

Bass.
Smaller van. The 2.5 ton Hyland.
it's a cast housing.

over 2 ish ton the 3.5 ton unit. WITH 3.5 ton ball.

That one is weld fabricated.
and ME. Personally.
Both weld it and through bolt it to the drawbar.
(Overkill. But it ain't going anywhere.)

Towed my Roastar 6.5 offroader all over Aust for 14 yrs that I had it.
Would go anywhere, with no fear of ball popping out of coupling.

A coupla places I had to winch out of too.
Get one while you can.

Then get a HIGH SHANK ball.
Sit's out of ball shaft around an inch or so b4 forming the ball.
Otherwise the lower face of ball cup Which is a deep moulding.
tends to catch and rub on face of hitch where ball fits.

If std ball.
You'll probably need to grind off lower face of that cup to stop it binding on that face..
Apart from that they magic.

I had one of the original ones from factory. b4 putting them on market.
Looking at all the others. All I can say is.
Thank god and my wallet. I got the Hyland.
Simple. basic. and works.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

macka, do they need greasing?
As you said there are some that are copies. I'd guess the ARK & Alco would fall in this category?

macka17 · Guru

Sorry for late reply. Pills

I'm old school and also an old dozer. excavator, dragline operator.
Grease guns growing out of both arms.

F. the modern ideas. I grease EVERYTHING.
and alternate to what some say.
Never had a problem.

PS I go back to the old square cup greasers on 1930's draglines.

My fav of all toys. still have a couple I reckon. (greasers)
also 2 x grease guns in garage.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Bass wrote:
Hi Dougwe, I found the McHitch far to difficult in all but caravan park concrete pads. it is perhaps easier to hook up IF you have the van at the right height and the wheels chocked, but unhooking is a nightmare it is very hard to work out if the pressure is off or not, you lift the lever and pull the pin, nup wind jockey up a bit and try pin again, no , wind jockey wheel again and try pin again etc, etc , etc. If you only stayed in caravan parks it would perhaps be just ok, however we drag our van all over the place ( not at the moment chemo has buggered me ) and rarely is the car and van on the same plane. A side note 2 friends, one has replaced his with a DO35, and other (like me) back to standard coupling.
The Mchitch appeared to be very well built and would probably last a long time but it was just not for me.
Warren... local shop has a few hylands on the shelf so I guess I had better move fast.

Cheers Bass

Thanks Bass. Maybe the Auto McHitch would have been better. I like the 'Auto' McHitch.

macka17 · Guru

If you look at most of those modern hitches sideways.

Mainly they all varied copies of the Hyland.

Yoke. swivel ball, 360 deg, both ways,
of differing varieties. Even if they do try to con you.
And after a lot of off road work. There's NO WAY... I'd ever buy a PIN hitch
to put behind any of my rigs.

Nor that Universal joint either.
Needle rollers with 3 plus ton on back and uneven, varying, pressures.
Come on.
DO you realise how much a van "snatches" when travelling on rough
or uneven roads.
Complete alternative to what they designed for.
Constant even load on a drive shaft.

In that situation,
greased solid coupling and Bushes to suit are best.
Waaaay. Old fashioned. BUT proven.
When has anybody heard of a ball coupling.
greased and correctly sized. fitted. Give way.
They flip the van behind before ripping out.

The Hyland gives FULL 360 rotation Laterally.
Plus. 360 deg, up and down till it would collide with the car rear
top or bottom.

Some get real desperate to get in on the money tree.
With anything.
and there are always fools to follow.

Stick to your basics. You can't go wrong.
Mostly.

Vince · Senior Member

Have a look at the McHitch range, in particular the Auto Coupler model. Strong and sturdy unit that is easy to use.

I have one and am 100% satisfied with all aspects of its operation.

Bass · Senior Member

Hi Dougwe mine was the Auto Mchitch model.. Perhaps the standard model would of been better but at the moment I'm going for a Hyland. The Auto mchitch is for sale.

Cheers bass