The ball hitch will be attached to the hitch receiver; the hitch receiver is the device that is attached to the tow vehicle. A trailer hitch coupler is a mechanism that is bolted or welded onto the end of your trailer frame. When you see that the hitch height is more than the coupler, you have to settle for a ball mount with drop. If your vehicle is not equipped with a working trailer wiring harness, there are a number of different solutions to provide the perfect fit for your specific vehicle. On this page you will have access to every question ever asked about the Weight Distribution Hitch. If your coupler height is greater, use a ball mount with a rise. You will need to use a pad lock like # 37DAT with this HITCH-LOCK. A trailer coupler, in conjunction with a trailer ball, connects a trailer to your … Please enable Cookies and reload the page. As a general rule of thumb, as the gross trailer weight rating of the hitch increases, so does the price. Here is a beginner’s guide to ensuring a trailer ball hitch to a coupler: Crank your trailer, so the coupler is greater than the hitch ball on the tow vehicle, just a few inches will do. There are other components needed to complete the connection, like a ball mount and trailer ball. If you are at an office or shared network, you can ask the network administrator to run a scan across the network looking for misconfigured or infected devices. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7u98q7VQQPE, Trailer Keeper. • I … Trailer couplers come in several different configurations, but all work by clamping around the hitch ball. You may need to download version 2.0 now from the Chrome Web Store. The means to do this varies somewhat. This is uncommon amongst this type of hitch but it serves to provide a smoother ride. So you’ll have to grab this accessory separately to make this hitch work for you. Cloudflare Ray ID: 6096b373ec99098c They all work by clamping around the trailer hitch ball. Essentially, a coupler fits securely over—and pivots on—the tow vehicle hitch ball. http://www.trailerlock.com/securitytip.html, Trimax. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. A trailer coupler is a device that connects the hitch of the tow vehicle to a trailer. The coupler must be the same size and equal or greater weight capacity of the hitch ball to ensure a safe … Step 5: Selecting the Ball Mount. Performance & security by Cloudflare, Please complete the security check to access. They slide into a designated hole when the trailer hitch is hooked up and then lock in place. The coupler is the part that is attached to the trailer itself. Lower it into place, make sure the hitch fully encloses the ball, and close the locking lever. A coupler is the metal piece that physically connects your trailer to the tow vehicle. • http://www.bearplugs.com/csite.php?page=5, ETrailer.com "Valley Universal Trailer Coupler Lock." CURT trailer couplers come in three different varieties: straight-tongue couplers, A-frame couplers and channel mount couplers. A trailer hitch coupler is a mechanism that is bolted or welded onto the end of your trailer frame. Completing the CAPTCHA proves you are a human and gives you temporary access to the web property. The bars on this hitch, however, are actually interchangeable. Hitch Ball: Ball-shaped attachment to a hitch onto which a trailer coupler is attached. *Note: Weight Distribution Hitches DO NOT include hitch ball Recommend 2 5/16” A-6 or 2” A-90 Trailer Ball. Find the diameter of the shank and the length, taken from the bottom of the base to the end of the threads. Hitch Height (A) - Coupler Height (B) = Rise/Drop (C) If your hitch height is greater, use a ball mount with a drop. "Trailer Security Tip." Have your partner stand by the trailer, looking over the coupler. This design can get loose over time plus prolonged use can wear out the wedge. Or that is hope at least. To hitch up, place coupler on ball and push latch handle forward until yoke drops over nose; Latch tips secure into slots on coupler top; Pin Style Fastener. The fit between the ball hitch and the trailer coupler should be tight enough to prevent a disastrous decoupling while on the road, but not so snug that the trailer will have trouble making turns. Next, measure the hitch ball shank size. You adjust the shackle so the lock cannot be slipped off, and then no one can hook up your trailer without the key to the lock. This coupler lock attaches to your coupler just like your trailer hitch ball does and locks into place. They seem to start around $500 for an "economy" fifth wheel hitch and go beyond $3,000 for a top-of-the-line model. Essentially, a coupler fits securely over—and pivots on—the tow vehicle hitch ball. The best triple mount trailer hitch on this list, … It is used to connect your trailer to your tow vehicle hitch. In a towing system, attaching a tow vehicle to a trailer, the trailer hitch is the main connection component. It will also help you understand what you should be looking for in a high-quality trailer hitch lock. The coupler mounts and locks on top of the hitch ball and articulates around the hitch ball. Another way to prevent getting this page in the future is to use Privacy Pass. What is a trailer coupler? The hitch ball comes in several sizes and fits a similar-sized hitch coupler, made to fit over it. The trailer hitch will have a locking lever on its upper surface. It is used to connect your trailer to your tow vehicle hitch. Different classes of hitch locks provide the strength to haul cargo weighing up to 15 tons. How does this work? It comes with an adjustable ball mount but does not include the hitch ball itself. With the plate angled up, the trailer is protected from someone trying to hitch up to it. When towing a trailer with the plate angled down, it prevents someone from removing the hitch ball already in the coupler. "SXT3 Premium 100% Stainless Steel 5/8" Key Receiver Lock." You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website. MaxxHaul 70270 Black Hollow Shaft Triple Ball Mount. Others snap together and offer push button lock mechanisms. All trailer couplers are typically bolted or welded onto the end of the trailer tongue. You can flip your drop hitch upside down to use it in either the rise or drop position as needed. How does this work? Weird & Wacky, Copyright © 2020 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 Company. Fishtailing refers to the erratic side to side movement of the trailer. They come in many different sizes and types, but the trailer coupler must match the tongue on your particular trailer. However, if the coupler height is greater and the height of the hitch is smaller, you have to go for a ball mount with a rise. As far as towing equipment pricing goes, fifth wheel hitches run the gamut. This video will show you the operation of the trailer hitch ballmount and coupler … Check Level of the Trailer: Always try to maintain the trailer coupler & vehicle hitch in a level position to help minimize fishtailing. A thief would create quite a bit of noise if they had to grind or try to remove this from a hitch, so they should get caught before they are successful. I did do a search, but for Trailer Hitch Coupler Not tongue coupler... And, this stiffness is present when not attached.. Finally, measure the thickness of the base. Safety chain anchors are frequently a built-in feature of gooseneck hitch assemblies to ensure the trailer won't come completely loose if the hitch should fail. You would not have that problem with a Collar-Lok coupler. Trying to lift it up bare handed can be a trick because of the small grabbing area. 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