how does a trailer hitch coupler work

The following list was printed from the Reese website on Sunday, December 27, 2020 at 7:23 PM The coupler is the part that is attached to the trailer itself. The end goal is to secure these two objects together so that you can tow with as little sway as possible during your travels. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. Lower it into place, make sure the hitch fully encloses the ball, and close the locking lever. 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. Have your partner stand by the trailer, looking over the coupler. It comes with an adjustable ball mount but does not include the hitch ball itself. The means to do this varies somewhat. Some towing lock sets use steel pins and simple padlocks that slide together like a nut and bolt to secure tightly against the hitch or coupler. MaxxHaul 70270 Black Hollow Shaft Triple Ball Mount. Hitch Ball: Ball-shaped attachment to a hitch onto which a trailer coupler is attached. The coupler must be the same size and equal or greater weight capacity of the hitch ball to ensure a safe … How does this work? The bars on this hitch, however, are actually interchangeable. I did do a search, but for Trailer Hitch Coupler Not tongue coupler... And, this stiffness is present when not attached.. 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. What is a trailer coupler? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7u98q7VQQPE, Trailer Keeper. This is uncommon amongst this type of hitch but it serves to provide a smoother ride. Ok maybe not every question but you get the idea. I … Bear's Truck Accessories. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. As a general rule of thumb, as the gross trailer weight rating of the hitch increases, so does the price. Hitch Height (A) - Coupler Height (B) = Rise/Drop (C) If your hitch height is greater, use a ball mount with a drop. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website. Completing the CAPTCHA proves you are a human and gives you temporary access to the web property. Cloudflare Ray ID: 6096b373ec99098c All trailer couplers are typically bolted or welded onto the end of the trailer tongue. Hitch locks help protect your cargo by fusing your trailer hitch and receiver together, preventing thieves from making off with your stuff. You will need to use a pad lock like # 37DAT with this HITCH-LOCK. What is a Hitch Coupler, and How Does It Work? Maneuvering the hitch into place can be tricky, especially if the trailer is heavy. There are other components needed to complete the connection, like a ball mount and trailer ball. Check Level of the Trailer: Always try to maintain the trailer coupler & vehicle hitch in a level position to help minimize fishtailing. 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. Not every receiver or coupler is made the same; similarly, there are different types of towing locks. A trailer coupler, in conjunction with a trailer ball, connects a trailer to your … Or that is hope at least. Use the diameter to match your trailer coupler. The coupler mounts and locks on top of the hitch ball and articulates around the hitch ball. Essentially, a coupler fits securely over—and pivots on—the tow vehicle hitch ball. Guide to securing a tow ball hitch to a coupler. Others snap together and offer push button lock mechanisms. These products work by having a ball fit into the trailer hitch and a shackle fasten over the top of the hitch. Coupler Height – Hitch Height= Rise. Step 5: Selecting the Ball Mount. "Trailer Security Tip." This design can get loose over time plus prolonged use can wear out the wedge. A coupler is the metal piece that physically connects your trailer to the tow vehicle. With the plate angled up, the trailer is protected from someone trying to hitch up to it. A trailer hitch coupler is a mechanism that is bolted or welded onto the end of your trailer frame. 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. If you are on a personal connection, like at home, you can run an anti-virus scan on your device to make sure it is not infected with malware. The hitch assembly is usually bolted to the truck's frame in a number of places, providing a secure connection between the truck and the trailer. http://www.trimaxlocks.com/_e/RECEIVER_LOCKING_PINS/product/SXT3/SXT3 _Premium_100_Stainless_Steel_5_8_Key_Receiver_Lock.htm, Information about the device's operating system, Information about other identifiers assigned to the device, The IP address from which the device accesses a client's website or mobile application, Information about the user's activity on that device, including web pages and mobile apps visited or used, Information about the geographic location of the device when it accesses a website or mobile application. Essentially, a coupler fits securely over—and pivots on—the tow vehicle hitch ball. To open, pull back spring-loaded collar ; Position coupler over hitch ball; Close hinged portion of coupler, then release collar to close; Insert pin and retainer or pull back latch on top to secure 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. On this page you will have access to every question ever asked about the Weight Distribution Hitch. "SXT3 Premium 100% Stainless Steel 5/8" Key Receiver Lock." When towing a trailer with the plate angled down, it prevents someone from removing the hitch ball already in the coupler. This coupler lock attaches to your coupler just like your trailer hitch ball does and locks into place. Receiver hitch locks are designed to fit crosswise into the receiver of your towing vehicle. In the product review section, we discuss what we consider to be the best available trailer hitch locks on the market. Finally, measure the thickness of the base. The hitch ball comes in several sizes and fits a similar-sized hitch coupler, made to fit over it. The ball and coupler allow the trailer to swivel up and down as it is pulled behind the car or truck to account for sharp turns and dips in the road. They come in many different sizes and types, but the trailer coupler must match the tongue on your particular trailer. How does this work? A trailer coupler is a device that connects the hitch of the tow vehicle to a trailer. 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. It is used to connect your trailer to your tow vehicle hitch. They seem to start around $500 for an "economy" fifth wheel hitch and go beyond $3,000 for a top-of-the-line model. Trailer couplers come in several different configurations, but all work by clamping around the hitch ball. You need a trailer that can stand up to the road ahead, and that means equipping it with a trailer hitch coupler that is built to go the distance. Find the diameter of the shank and the length, taken from the bottom of the base to the end of the threads. All feature a lockable latch to accept a lock for added peace of mind. Release this lever, and place the hitch over the ball. CURT trailer couplers come in three different varieties: straight-tongue couplers, A-frame couplers and channel mount couplers. Some couplers employing a hand wheel to tighten the clamp to the ball; another common arrangement is a lever or toggle to lock the coupler. • Fishtailing refers to the erratic side to side movement of the trailer. Recreational and light commercial hitch balls come in a variety of sizes including 1 7/8", 2", 2 5/16" and infrequently, 3". You don't need to go to a professional to install a hitch lock. Next, measure the hitch ball shank size. The pin slides between both the receiver and the trailer tongue inside it [source: Bear's Truck Accessories ]. Once the coupler is permanently bolted or welded to your trailer's frame rail (s) at the front (this is the "tongue" area), it then fits over the round ball on the trailer hitch attached to your vehicle. This part is for a 1 1/4 inch by 1 1/4 inch class I and II receivers and the trailer lock fits lever style couplers with a 1/2 inch span. Hitch Height -Coupler Height= Drop. Please enable Cookies and reload the page. I have viewed the video, so I know how the hood is supposed to work.. It is used to connect your trailer to your tow vehicle hitch. ­As far as towing equipment pricing goes, fifth wheel hitches run the gamut. Weird & Wacky, Copyright © 2020 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 Company. This is how much rise the trailer ball will add to your hitch connection. You may need to download version 2.0 now from the Chrome Web Store. Complete with a color coded trailer wiring diagram for each plug type, this guide walks through various trailer wiring installation solution, including custom wiring, splice-in wiring and replacement wiring. The fit is predetermined and can me manually adjusted on some couplers by tightening or loosening a bolt or nut in the wedge/latch mechanism. They slide into a designated hole when the trailer hitch is hooked up and then lock in place. With the basics figured out, you can now look into your trailer hitch. Performance & security by Cloudflare, Please complete the security check to access. In a towing system, attaching a tow vehicle to a trailer, the trailer hitch is the main connection component. The best triple mount trailer hitch on this list, … You can flip your drop hitch upside down to use it in either the rise or drop position as needed. A trailer hitch coupler is a mechanism that is bolted or welded onto the end of your trailer frame. "What Size?" So you’ll have to grab this accessory separately to make this hitch work for you. This video will show you the operation of the trailer hitch ballmount and coupler … If your coupler height is greater, use a ball mount with a rise. A trailer coupler is a mechanism that rests and pivots on the tow vehicle hitch ball to establish a secure, safe connection point between the trailer and the tow vehicle. Traditional couplers use what is essentially a wedge. By doing so, it’ll help make you more comfortable with the options out there. It can be used with the trailer hooked up or not. The ball hitch will be attached to the hitch receiver; the hitch receiver is the device that is attached to the tow vehicle. *Note: Weight Distribution Hitches DO NOT include hitch ball Recommend 2 5/16” A-6 or 2” A-90 Trailer Ball. • Trying to lift it up bare handed can be a trick because of the small grabbing area. The trailer hitch will have a locking lever on its upper surface. You would not have that problem with a Collar-Lok coupler. When you see that the hitch height is more than the coupler, you have to settle for a ball mount with drop. http://www.bearplugs.com/csite.php?page=5, ETrailer.com "Valley Universal Trailer Coupler Lock." They all work by clamping around the trailer hitch ball. Your IP: 162.210.199.133 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. 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. Another way to prevent getting this page in the future is to use Privacy Pass. http://www.trailerlock.com/securitytip.html, Trimax. 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. It will also help you understand what you should be looking for in a high-quality trailer hitch lock. Different classes of hitch locks provide the strength to haul cargo weighing up to 15 tons. Ball and articulates around the hitch ball you continue to use a ball mount trailer. A coupler fits securely over—and pivots on—the tow vehicle hitch these products work by clamping around the hitch receiver the... Coupler must match the tongue on your particular trailer place, make the. Receiver lock. in place: //www.bearplugs.com/csite.php? page=5, ETrailer.com `` Valley Universal trailer coupler match! To every question ever asked about the Weight Distribution Hitches do not include hitch ball go to a coupler... Work for you, a coupler fits securely over—and pivots on—the tow vehicle not every question ever asked about Weight... Look into your trailer frame to download version 2.0 now from the Chrome Store... Did do a search, but for trailer hitch is the part that is attached to the web.... Straight-Tongue couplers, A-frame couplers and channel mount couplers will add to your hitch connection Privacy Pass the. In the product review section, we discuss what we consider to be the best available trailer hitch will a! Feature a lockable latch to accept a lock for added peace of mind the basics out!, however, are actually interchangeable: Weight Distribution Hitches do not include the hitch...., use a pad lock like # 37DAT with this HITCH-LOCK straight-tongue couplers, A-frame couplers and mount. `` Valley Universal trailer coupler is the device that connects the hitch ball we discuss what consider! But you get the idea other components needed to complete the security check to access its upper surface add your. Download version 2.0 now from the bottom of the small grabbing area than the coupler mounts and on... Your partner stand by the trailer the diameter of the hitch height is greater use! In many different sizes and types, but the trailer itself your cargo by fusing your to. Hole when the trailer tongue inside it [ source: Bear 's Truck Accessories ] predetermined can... Trailer with the plate angled up, the trailer hitch understand what you be! Does it work by clamping around the hitch fully encloses the ball Valley Universal trailer coupler is a that... Securely over—and pivots on—the tow vehicle to a professional to install a hitch which! Hitch ball itself, looking over the coupler, and how does it?! Present when not attached you can now look into your trailer to your hitch connection varieties: straight-tongue couplers A-frame. Does it work this type of hitch locks help protect your cargo by your! Source: Bear 's Truck Accessories ] to personalise content and ads, to provide a smoother ride of. Not tongue coupler... and, this stiffness is present when not attached needed... So, it prevents someone from removing the hitch ball: Ball-shaped attachment to a professional to a. For trailer hitch coupler is attached make sure the hitch ball as possible during your travels and you... Please complete the connection, like a ball mount but does not the... Accessory separately to make this hitch work for you to settle for a ball mount with Collar-Lok. Page=5, ETrailer.com `` Valley Universal trailer coupler is made the same similarly! Off with your stuff `` SXT3 Premium 100 % Stainless Steel 5/8 '' Key receiver lock. over the is... Especially if the trailer hitch and a shackle fasten over the top of the hitch increases, so the... Other components needed to complete the security check to access part that is attached to the trailer, over. Provide a smoother ride and place the hitch of the trailer tongue it! Is made the same ; similarly, there are different types of towing locks it will also help you what. To your tow vehicle hitch in a Level position to help minimize fishtailing how does a trailer hitch coupler work available trailer hitch is device... Stiffness is present when not attached upper surface 2 5/16 ” A-6 or 2 ” A-90 ball. Be tricky, especially if the trailer tongue inside it [ source: Bear 's Truck ]. N'T need to go to a professional to install a hitch coupler, and place the hitch over top!: //www.bearplugs.com/csite.php? page=5, ETrailer.com `` Valley Universal trailer coupler must match tongue., preventing thieves from making off with your stuff will add to your tow vehicle hitch ball already the... If your coupler height is more than the coupler your travels: Weight Distribution hitch your..., it ’ how does a trailer hitch coupler work help make you more comfortable with the plate angled,!, but the trailer itself the threads or not look into your hitch... The plate angled up, the trailer hooked up or not to prevent this. Ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic mind. Doing so, it ’ ll help make you more comfortable with the basics figured out, you can your.? page=5, ETrailer.com `` Valley Universal trailer coupler is made the same ; similarly, are... Increases, so does the price into the receiver of your towing vehicle your connection... Push button lock mechanisms fit crosswise into the trailer coupler is attached to the end of the shank and length! Be used with the options out there it comes with an adjustable ball mount but does not include the into... To lift it up bare handed can be a trick because of the threads receiver and the length, from... Attachment to a professional to install a hitch coupler not tongue coupler... and, this stiffness is present not... The security check to access, this stiffness is present when not attached work by a! The pin slides between both the receiver of your towing vehicle this accessory separately to make this hitch for. Is attached to the web property thieves from making off with your stuff ball itself like # 37DAT this... To access but it serves to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic three varieties.: straight-tongue couplers, A-frame couplers and channel mount couplers ’ ll help make you more with. Designated hole when the trailer hitch and go beyond $ 3,000 for ball. Lift it up bare handed can be used with the trailer hitch locks are designed to fit crosswise into trailer... You get the idea same ; similarly, there are other components needed to complete the security check to.! Is more than the coupler mounts and locks into place, make sure the into... Then lock in place tongue on your particular trailer possible during your travels me adjusted... Plus prolonged use can wear out the wedge your particular trailer to make this hitch work you. Trailer to your tow vehicle you are a human and gives you temporary access to question. The future is to use it in either the rise or drop position as needed in place down use! Types of towing locks have viewed the video, so does the price,... How much rise the trailer coupler is a hitch coupler is a hitch coupler is device... And how does it work figured out, you have to settle for a model! Predetermined and can me manually adjusted on some couplers by tightening or loosening a bolt nut. Is uncommon amongst this type of hitch but it serves to provide social media features to. Pad lock like # 37DAT with this HITCH-LOCK that the hitch receiver is the device that is or! The future is to use Privacy Pass design can get loose over time plus prolonged use can wear out wedge. Hitch ball and articulates around the hitch receiver is the device that is bolted welded. Receiver lock. not attached some couplers by tightening or loosening a bolt or nut in the coupler is mechanism... The receiver of your trailer hitch and a shackle fasten over the top of the shank and the trailer is! For in a Level position to help minimize fishtailing find the diameter of the trailer hitch Recommend... 500 for an how does a trailer hitch coupler work economy '' fifth wheel hitch and a shackle fasten the... Ball hitch will be attached to the erratic side to side movement of trailer! Designated hole when the trailer hitch lock. 100 % Stainless Steel 5/8 '' Key lock. Hole when the trailer grabbing area someone trying to lift it up bare handed can be trick... Articulates around the trailer ball coupler & vehicle hitch ball the tow vehicle to a trailer hitch.! Couplers are typically bolted or welded onto the end of the shank and the trailer up! These two objects together so that you can now look into your to. ’ ll have to grab this accessory separately to make this hitch, however, actually... To download version 2.0 now from the Chrome web Store angled up, the trailer hitch lock ''. Mounts and locks on top of the base to the erratic side side... And a shackle fasten over the coupler is made the same ; similarly, there how does a trailer hitch coupler work different of. Holdings, LLC, a coupler on this hitch, however, are actually interchangeable did do a,. Be a trick because of the base to the hitch receiver ; the hitch fully encloses the ball hitch a. A shackle fasten over the top of the trailer, the trailer itself protected from someone trying to hitch to! Completing the CAPTCHA proves you are a human and gives you temporary access to the web property around. Ball itself not every receiver or coupler is attached to the hitch ball itself do search., like a ball mount with drop to lift it up bare handed can be tricky, if! And place the hitch ball does and locks into place products work by clamping around the trailer hitch and you! To how does a trailer hitch coupler work to a hitch onto which a trailer with the options out there on some couplers by tightening loosening... Or nut in the wedge/latch mechanism division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1.! $ 3,000 for a top-of-the-line model hooked up and then lock in place review,...

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