Lets Look at your Tow Hitch
The Tow Hitch is one of the most overlooked components of a Camping Trailer. It’s vital for your passengers and your vehicles safety. Used improperly, or if not maintained, the results of a Tow Hitch not doing its job has disaster written all over it.
Styles & Purpose and what really counts? Yes, there are quite a number of varieties on and off the road today. Let’s look at the ones I’m currently servicing and try to answer a few of your questions.
Once upon a time, there was only one type of Hitch on the roads. A ridged Standard Plunger Ball Mount Coupling. Today the 50mm ball coupling is the IOS standard for trailers up to 3500kg ATM.
The basic 50mm ball coupling is a very simple device. It consists of the body casting, locking handle and a spring-loaded locking tongue entering the main casting at 45°. Also attached is an adjusting bolt and locking nut designed to take up excess clearance and accommodate wear of the ball or coupling, ensuring a secure fit.
A ball coupling does not need much maintenance, but it is important to cover two elements. Firstly, the coupling cavity should be lightly greased so that it can swivel freely and avoid excessive wear on the towball and coupling. Secondly, any excessive slack in the coupling when it is secured on the ball should be taken up with the adjusting bolt.
The Standard Plunger Ball Mount Coupling is a quick release plunger coupling. They are not considered to be strong enough to withstand the rigors of off-road use.
I’m retrofitting quite a number of the McHitch Automatic Trailer Couplings (ATC). With this Hitch the process of coupling your Camping Trailer, to your tow vehicle is done automatically… mostly. There are a few manual steps that require you to exit your vehicle. The release lever simply drops into position and you’re ready to go once the two safety mechanisms of the ATC are engaged.
The McHitch coupling was developed to be an all purpose coupling for all types of towing situations. Its articulation is over 105° with a total angle available of 210°. The universal joint is a simple arrangement made up of a set of 4 arms, with 4 caps on each arm which contain a row of roller bearings. These allow the caps to rotate when needed while eliminating any play between the cap and the arm.
The only maintenance is on the universal joint, which requires minimal greasing annually. However, if the joint is submerged under water, then greasing would be recommended after each such time. A grease nipple is provided on the universal joint.
Poly-Bloc Couplings are also a popular off road choice among Camping Trailer Owners. Poly-style couplings employ a polyurethane block or bush to reduce noise and vibration between the Camping Trailer and the vehicle, using a detachable U piece and spring pin.
The poly-block couplings have two swiveling points: one in the vertical plane and one in the horizontal; and a fat polyurethane bush to absorb road shock. Poly-block couplings are rated from 2-3.5t.
Treg and Trigg are the two most prominent brands, and are very similar in design, pivoting 60° vertically and rotating 360°.
Coupling and uncoupling these double-swivel types isn’t as straightforward an operation as it is with a ball coupling. On flat ground coupling and uncoupling isn’t too difficult, but if the ground is uneven the job can take a few, at times frustrating, minutes. It can also get messy, as the pins can be greasy.
Maintenance is important in regards to poly-block couplings. Check them regularly for wear and tear. Pins need to be removed each service and the bushes cleaned, before regreasing and reassembly, this is especially so after trips that involve dust and water.
Another off-road hitch is the HYLAND, which uses a ball coupling with a difference. The hitch is manufactured to give the ball full articulation. It also has full 360 ° sideways swivel & is far superior to the old ball hitch in off-road situations.
The Hyland hitch must be used in conjunction with a 3.5 tonne ball which has a higher stem than the standard 2.5 tonne ball. This allows for proper fitment of the Hyland hitch over the ball allowing clearance without fowling the tow tongue.
Unfortunately, Australian trailer hitch manufacturer Hyland Trailer Couplings has closed its doors in Brisbane after more than two decades of local manufacture. If you have one, you are lucky, but repairing damaged hitches is no longer an option and problems tend to occur after a bit of wear with these hitches.
Maintenance involves a regularly check for any movement in your hitch by placing a spare towball in the hitch and forcibly try to move it about. Have a look at the tongue in the hitch cup to ensure that it is not 'rounded' where it is supposed to sit under the ball. Grease this hitch regularly.
What Really Counts?
Regardless of what make or model of Tow Hitch you have, each is mounted onto the Trailer A-Frame, with either Bolts or it has been welded on.
I advise against welding for a two reasons. The heat penetration created in the process of welding, will weaken the chassis at that point and if used off road, unless it has been put there by a coded welder, it will eventually part from the A-Frame.
I have come across off road Trailers on two occasions, where
the welding has parted from the A-Frame. Both times they were in the middle of nowhere. One of the owners had persevered with just the chain attachment, you should have seen the state of the back of his vehicle!
Trailer Manufactures don’t employ coded welders.
Bolts are the perfect method of securing a coupling. They can be checked and tightened. They can also be replaced very easily and carried as a spare. However, what I am finding out on the Field gives me reason for concern for your safety and that of your Family.
Let’s use the McHitch as an example. The mounting bolt holes are elongated, with a maximum diameter of 12mm. Most manufactures drill out the A-Frame Hitch Plate to 14mm. This is a good thing as 14mm bolts should always be fitted. However, they don’t like to waste time drilling out the McHitch bolt holes to 14mm, and subsequently fit 12mm bolts.
Firstly 12mm bolts are too small for the Camping Trailer Application, especially off road. Secondly, when the nuts start to loosen off, which they do, the 12mm bolts start to move around, ever so gradually, until they shear off. This will ruin a holiday at best.
If you’re unsure of what type of Bolts secure your Hitch, or are
unsure of how many Newton Meters of Torque needs to be applied, have your Trailer Serviced Annually by Westcoast Trailer and Caravan Services, it is all part of their Annual Inspection Checks.
Westcoast Trailer and Caravan Services also supply and fit all models of quality hitches. Call them for a Quote.
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