Site Search
Print Page Setup Profile Login
Section Image

Off Road Couplings

Submitted: Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 10:12

Kiwiausie

HI. I have just brought a 2002 Gold Stream Storm Off Road . it just has a standard ball coupling on it and am looking for a better & safer off road coupling for it . we will not be doing any real rough stuff with it . but access to our local Four Wheel Drive Park has a couple of real nasty dips & crossings to get to the camping spots . i had a tregg years ago & while they are great it is going to be a real pain in the arse trying to line it up ,as were we park it at home it is on quite as slope ..... thanks
ThreadID: 55104 Replies: 8
Views: 1016 FollowUps: 8
This Thread has been Archived
Thread Summary
Thread Watch Back To Forum Alert Moderator FAQ
AnswerID: 290361   Submitted: Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 10:36

Trevor R (QLD) replied:

Hi Kiwiausie,

The Hyland comes pretty highly reccomended. There is a few different types here that may help you???

I liked the Treg coupling on my offroad trailer even if it was a bitch to couple up with the car.

Cheers, Trevor.
Welford NP local
Click Image to Enlarge
Thats...... KING Cane Toad to you!!!
Reply 1 of 8
FollowupID: 555713   Submitted: Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 12:59

DIO posted:

I have used a Treg coupling for more than 25 years and have never had a problem with it. All you need is someone to assist you whilst reversing or a reversing camera. A piece of cake. Just like any other coupling.
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 290369   Submitted: Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 11:06

Tony replied:

I find the AT 35 hitch very good, easy to line up and connect. has a 3500kg rateing.

Also has a good safety device for holding the pin.
Reply 2 of 8
FollowupID: 555708   Submitted: Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 12:31

Krakka posted:

Hi Tony, Kiwiausie has stated that the Treg hitch was a pain cos of his situation, I reckon the AT 35 hitch would be even more difficult to line up.
If you could kick the person responsible for most of your problems, you wouldn't be able to sit down for six months.
FollowUp 1 of 3
FollowupID: 555733   Submitted: Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 14:06

Tony posted:

I never have had a problem, but after 5 months on the road it does come a lot easier.

The idea is to stop about 1/2 a meter short get out and make the final adjustment to height, slowly back to you touch, get out and mover camper insert pin. Most times you get it right first try.
FollowUp 2 of 3
FollowupID: 555963   Submitted: Monday, Mar 03, 2008 at 16:30

Motherhen posted:

Hi Kiwiaussie, Tony & Krakka

We had a horrid set up which was difficult to couple, so we got the AT35 - easy. My rooster can even back up and hitch up on his own. I've heard good reports about the Hyland, but haven't seen one.

We have a fixed jack, but using a jockey wheel would make it even easier if you hadn't backed quite straight.

Motherhen
Near the Stuart Highway NT
Click Image to Enlarge
Home to reality - The dream trip is over
Lifetime Member: My Profile  My Blog  Send Message
FollowUp 3 of 3
AnswerID: 290402   Submitted: Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 14:44

Member - Ed. C. (QLD) replied:

FWIW, I have a Hyland coupling on my (tandem-axle hardfloor) campertrailer, and am not considering swapping it for anything else;-)

I believe that Kedron Caravans fit Hyland couplings to their off-road vans... make of that what you will;-))


Click Image to Enlarge
Confucius say.....
"He who lie underneath automobile with tool in hand............
Not necessarily mechanic!!"
Reply 3 of 8
AnswerID: 290417   Submitted: Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 15:52

Member - greg S (QLD) replied:

Kiwiausie,

We have an AT35 on our camper, and found it reasonably easy to hitch up. The wife reverses and I hitch up.

We have used the Hyland coupling on a soft floor hire camper and they work really well. Took the camper to Fraser Island and never had a problem with it. Really easy to hitch up. And the advantage is you can still use your normal 50mm ball coupling.
I believe the Hyland is only rated at 2000kg. Something to consider depending on the weight of your camper.

Greg
Reply 4 of 8
FollowupID: 555778   Submitted: Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 16:42

Member - Ed. C. (QLD) posted:

Hyland do a 3500kg rated coupling (which is what I have;-)), as well as a couple of different versions of the 2000 (the difference being for electric or over-ride brakes, and/or the way the park brake is engaged)...

Cheers:))


Click Image to Enlarge
Confucius say.....
"He who lie underneath automobile with tool in hand............
Not necessarily mechanic!!"
FollowUp 1 of 1
Activities Index
Day Spa Luxury Face/Body/Feet Treat - Canterbury Day Spa Luxury Face/Body/Feet Treat - Canterb
Melbourne - VIC
Give yourself a real treat and luxuriate with this gorgeous treatment for face, body and feet at the
Sydney Beach BBQ Cruise Sydney Beach BBQ Cruise
Sydney - NSW
See the best of Sydney!
Jet Boat Ride - With Seaworld Drop Off Jet Boat Ride - With Seaworld Drop Off
Gold Coast - QLD
Experience a Jet boat ride with a Seaworld Drop Off...Do it all in one day!
Rally Driving in a Suburu WRX - Full Day (QLD) Rally Driving in a Suburu WRX - Full Day (QLD
Brisbane - QLD
It takes around 10 years to reach the top in rallying and this is the first step!
Book Now - Things To Do
AnswerID: 290508   Submitted: Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 22:48

Member - eerfree(QLD) replied:

Kiwiausie
You say you will not be doing any real rough stuff so why not go with the manufacturers original equipment, they built it for Off Road stuff so they must think it is OK.
My Phoenix van and all the other Phoenix vans I have seen have a standard 50 mm 3500 kg Alko hitch, a lot of these vans have been in rather dodgy situations and the hitch and the suspension has been able to handle the terrain, I suspect that your Goldstream will also handle whatever you can throw at it.

eerfree
Oakey Army Museum
Click Image to Enlarge
eerfree
Reply 5 of 8
FollowupID: 555878   Submitted: Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 23:27

Kiwiausie posted:

tHANKS FOR ALL YOUR REPLYS , my main concern is the angle down as i am concernerd about the OE bottoming out on the base of the tow tounge as they seem to very close .i would hate for it to fracture the ball & then something break when travelling down the freeway at 100 kmh , that would just make my day . i may try it for a couple of months to see how it goes ??? but i dont think it will be on ther for too long!!!
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 290610   Submitted: Monday, Mar 03, 2008 at 16:35

Motherhen replied:

Kiwiaussie - is the slope at home sideways, or just an direct sloped driveway? A sideways slope would not be easy with an AT35. The standard ball hitch doesn't have that much movement for steep dips and crests, but there are other options out there. We have noticed some interesting ones on other caravans. Look at the Hyland - but i don't know how much movement it has or how easy.

Motherhen
Near the Stuart Highway NT
Click Image to Enlarge
Home to reality - The dream trip is over
Lifetime Member: My Profile  My Blog  Send Message
Reply 6 of 8
AnswerID: 290704   Submitted: Tuesday, Mar 04, 2008 at 05:58

Richard W (NSW) replied:

FWIW the camper on my rig has a standard ball coupling.
It reached it's limits when I tested it out on some 4WD tracks. The tonque bent a bit so it must have been under a fair bit of pressure. The tow bar is rated at 3.5t.
I'm also looking for an alternative coupling so thanks for the links.
Awaba
Click Image to Enlarge
Richard
http://richardw.redbubble.com/
Reply 7 of 8
FollowupID: 556099   Submitted: Tuesday, Mar 04, 2008 at 07:31

Kiwiausie posted:

hi . the slope at home is about 30deg . i have a fairly level pad for the trailer which sits on a couple of pavers . the old Patrol is on a fair angle which makes it a bit tricky . anyway i really think that standard fittings are only good for the Black Top or garden trailers on there yearly trip to the local tip
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 290717   Submitted: Tuesday, Mar 04, 2008 at 08:51

gottabjoaken replied:

Kiwiaussie
The Hyland is a very good hitch, but do make sure you get a tall shanked ball.

The body of the cup will bind on the flange of a normal ball.

Ken
Reply 8 of 8
FollowupID: 556193   Submitted: Tuesday, Mar 04, 2008 at 16:26

Kiwiausie posted:

hey all . made a decision today i rang darren from Hyland & after talking to him it helped me make up my mind .. he makes them to order so it will take about 2 weeks then i can pick it direct from him as he is only 1/2 hour up the freeway...

Thanks to all who replied brent
FollowUp 1 of 1