Off Road Trailer coupling

[quebeczuk]

I noticed that there's some interest about off-road trailers so I thought I'd post that link (http://www.campertrailers.org/couplings.htm).

It shows some different type of off-road coupler availlable from some trailer shop in Australia.

I don't like the pintle hook because it "koklonks" too much. Might not be an issue with a big noisy rig.

I personally prefer the TREG, ORAC and AT35 types which are ideal for the DIY kind of guy.

Hope it's gonna be usefull for somebody

[The Adam Blaster]

Quebeczuk, thanks for the link, and your sig line cracks me up! :laughing:

And that AT35 unit looks pretty nice, I'm curious if there are any N. American suppliers of such a device...

[Elwenil]

Shouldn't be too hard to fab one up cheaper either way.

[quebeczuk]

Yep, should be able to fab easily.

And don't know about elsewhere but I would not want to get copsed in Québec with a coupler like that on the street.

So I would make it so I can switch back to regular tow ball fast with some hitch tubing and pins.

And as for my sig line, I'm in the west now and that rocks.

[The Adam Blaster]

And as for my sig line, I'm in the west now and that rocks.

Are you enjoying the "Alberta Advantage" like me? :rolleyes:

[quebeczuk]

I'm in Salmon Arm BC for the summer and really enjoy backpacking in the Rockies.

As for the Alberta advantage, we heard so much about your bituminous sand that I tought they where giving gas on streets corner. Was wrong, it's about the same price everywhere all over Canada.

Still can't believe how much people drive huge trucks for nothing around here. :confused:
If at least they could stop complaining about gas price. :shaking:

I'm anxious for the American to wake up and ask for small fuel efficient and/or diesel cars so we get some up here. :flipoff2:

[Elwenil]

Back to the AT35 coupling: http://www.vehiclecomponents.com.au/content/contentDetails.asp?ContentID=455

The more I think about this, the more I have to imagine that this thing would be a complete pain in the ass to couple if conditions are less than perfect. I noted that the video shows them uncoupling the hitch, but nothing shows it being coupled. Also, if there were any tension on the hitch when you are trying to uncouple it, it would be near impossible to remove the pin without some sort of leverage or hammer. It's an interesting idea, but in the long run, it has less articulation than a rotating pintle hitch and lunette ring and the only advantage is that it gets rid of the banging of the hitch. I think I'll stick with the pintle and pad the coupling with old tire rubber.

[newimage]

http://www.locknroll.com/

This is the only coupler I use on my trailers now

www.offroadtrailerz.com

[quebeczuk]

this thing would be a complete pain in the ass to couple if conditions are less than perfect

Depends of the weight of your trailer.

If I build an off-road trailer, it will be just big enough to carry some gear without loading the truck too much.

Remember that people go spend weeks in the outdoor with an 80 liter backpack.

If you need to carry your 62in plasma and massaging Laz-y-boy well it's your thing. :D

[Elwenil]

My trailer thoughts are more of a 8' truck bed, lol. I love my Ramcharger, but I miss the ability to carry a sheet of plywood. Plus with a rotating pintle hitch I would be able to take it off road which would be perfect for trail work or cleanup and toss on my fiberglass camper shell and I'd have a secure mobile campsite that I can drop and wheel and come back to later. A military trailer will also be in the future and I don't think the off road hitches here can handle that amount of weight.

[quebeczuk]

Ok.

It would probably be hard to move by hand like I tought. :D