Factory hitch coupler replacement

[underpsi]

Something has come apart inside the coupler mechanism on the factory hitch so that it does not latch properly. The coupler appears to be stamped steel welded together with no way to access the internal parts. I'm considering cutting the factory coupler off and installing a Bulldog A-Frame Trailer Coupler - BD028287 rated at 7,000 pounds on a 2" ball. Any thoughts?

 

[garyk52]

Yes, put on a 2 5/16 for half the price with a 10000 pound rating from e-trailer and keep it factory original.

 

[RichR]

Yes, put on a 2 5/16 for half the price with a 10000 pound rating from e-trailer and keep it factory original.

I believe some of the older Hi-Lo's had 2" ball hitches. 2 5/16" would be better. It's important to check it out otherwise a 2 5/16 hitch can jump off a 2" ball. A friend of mine had it happen. A change of underwear was in order.

 

[underpsi]

I believe some of the older Hi-Lo's had 2" ball hitches. 2 5/16" would be better. It's important to check it out otherwise a 2 5/16 hitch can jump off a 2" ball. A friend of mine had it happen. A change of underwear was in order.

Roger that! My original hitch is a 2" ball. I thought about going with the 2 5/16 but the 2" Bulldog is rated 7000 pounds, which is almost twice what the trailer weight is. I really don't need the larger capacity for anything else I pull either. The 2" coupler is available at the local farm & home for less money than e-trailer plus freight and it keeps my dollars at home too. I like the Bulldog because of the positive lock, and I'm a little leery of trusting a 30 year old coupler mechanism that isn't functioning properly.

 

[secondhandsmith]

My neighbors 22" 1994 Traillite has a 2 inch ..my 1992 22" has a 2 5/16 but its not a lite model . maybe the lite model is the difference ?

 

[garyk52]

I would never have thought a trailer as heavy as a 22 ft HI-LO would have came with a 2 inch hitch.

 

[underpsi]

Gary, I talked to the folks we bought the trailer from. They were the original owners and he said the 2" ball is what came on it. The titled weight says 3600 pounds, so I'm guessing with two full 20 pound bottles, the battery and hydraulic pump that the tongue weight is around 400 pounds. I'm hoping to get it across the co-op scales in the next couple weeks so I can find out for sure where it weighs in at along with the old Ford.

 

[hilltool]

The tongue weight on my 2001 tow-lite 22 footer is more like 700-800 lbs with the propane bottles filled, awning, air-conditioner, and two group 27 batteries. And the classics, if I am not mistaken, were heavier than the tow-lites to start with. That said, my ball is also a 2"

Rick