Trailer coupling

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Just looking for opinions on this trailer coupler. I never seen one like it, but it seem to be fine. The farmer built this trailer back in the 80's. It is just a hunk of round tube, with a stopper welded in so it will rest on the top of the ball hitch. Then a pin going thru, to lock it in. You have to look REALLY close to see the pin. Opinions???"Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Thin wall tubing i wouldn,t trust it.But it depends on how heavy and how far you tow stuff.I would lose it and mount a pintle ring. Not worth someone life if it comes loose on a hiway.
Reply:One pin away from bye bye...I see it..it's near the front down low..I guess it will work but remember...Your IT....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:I am not doing any work to this trailer, nor do I have any plans on using this type of coupling. I just never seen this and wanted some opinions, good or bad, on it. Obviously it works and has since the eighties. Actually I thought it was pretty clever. Very simple, and I really dont see how it could be unsafe. That's why I put it up here."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:guess it really depends on what it's being used form around the farm, no worries. that pipe is thicker than the manufactured coupler on my trailer. I would say, on most couplers the restraint (the pin in this case) is on more than 1 side. with the Z type shape on the front and the lock sliding in from the back when it's closed, or in some (cant remember the name of them) where they clamp from the sides. you might want to add a second pin in the back if you can. just for CYA. Not sure if it would be considered road legal. you'll have to check with your local badges. If you're on the farm no worries, if you're on public roads, get a proper coupler.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:He uses this on the big roads. I agree, a second pin would be extra safe. But I can't really imagine the first pin failing. Personally, other than my boat, I ONLY use a pintle and lunette. I HATE ball couplers. But, like a pintle, this tube design is either locked or not. I personally cannot see a valid reason why this would fail any easier that a stamped chicom crap coupler."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Is that receiver insert and the hidden ball actually rated for the trailer load?(I doubt it)Blackbird
Reply:At first glance this looks ok... but it really doesn't really take advantage of the full range of motion that a ball offers. It may have good yaw but limited pitch and roll. Really can't argue with 30 years of use... but it is likely hard on the ball.  Is ball is fairly loose?
Reply:Originally Posted by dave powelsonIs that receiver insert and the hidden ball actually rated for the trailer load?(I doubt it)
Reply:The limited range of motion is the first thing that caught my eye. As long as you stay on the flat, and keep good tounge weight, it probably works fine. One good bounce or twist might destroy that little pin, and initiate a safety chain test...
Reply:The only problem I see is the load is on the flat tongue, not the round ball. That inhibits any articulating that would happen on a ball.Therefore also causes twist on the plug and its attachment to the truck. Good for using in his yard, I suppose.
Reply:I would not trust that. The pin is much too vulnerable in pitch. I doesn't have enough range of motion. If you went down an abrupt steep slope so that the truck was pointed down and the trailer level, it would have tons of leverage against the pin and it would tear it out easily. Or more probably bend it enough that you could not get it out. I guess it would be fine on flat, but prefab tongues are too cheap to even bother.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:I keep looking at that and thinking it looks sort of like a gooseneck hitch someone reused as a standard trailer hitch..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWI keep looking at that and thinking it looks sort of like a gooseneck hitch someone reused as a standard trailer hitch.
Reply:The best advantage of this , and I think all you guys missed this is, ...would most thieves even know how this works?Miller thunderbolt 250Decastar 135ERecovering tool-o-holic ESAB OAI have been interested or involved in Electrical, Fire Alarm, Auto, Marine, Welding, Electronics ETC to name a just a few. So YES you can own too many tools.
Reply:Gooseneck is the first thing I thought of as well!Most of the goosenecks I have seen are essentially a piece of tube, although some have a piece on the bottom to guide the tube overtop of the ball...I can't see why it wouldn't work. The only way to find out however, is to get in an accident with it and see what the lawyers say...Andrew
Reply:I cant figure out how the trailer can move up and down on a steep incline or decline? I would bend the ball going up my driveway approach. This guy took the "use what you have" approach a little far. I wouldnt even use it for farm use. There is just many better ways of getting it done.