Coupling Change.
Submitted: Thursday, Sep 10, 2015 at 20:58
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GREG T11
Hi all, I have a query regards swapping a standard 50mm ball coupling to a lower profile Alko 2000 kg one ( no brakes involved ). The existing unit as per most 750 kg rated trailers is it has 2 bolt location where as the one I wish to fit has 4. Is it possible to drill new locating holes in the existing drawbar plate or is this a no no ?
A look on the Alko site only shows a weld on sheet metal type rated at 750 kg which might be fine for a garden trailer but not my cup of tea .
I am hoping to be able to achieve a compromise without spending $ 300 + on a treg type.
Reply By: Ron N - Thursday, Sep 10, 2015 at 21:12
Thursday, Sep 10, 2015 at 21:12
Greg, you don't say where you are located (State) - but it would be highly advisable to get advice from a local vehicle inspection station as to precisely what you propose to do.
In general, drilling additional holes in any part of the drawbar would be vetoed - but exactly where you propose to drill the holes would have to be explained to the vehicle inspector, to see if your proposal was allowable, and to ensure it would not seriously affect the integrity and design strength of the drawbar plate.
It is very hard to envisage what you propose, without pictures, drawings, examination or inspection of said drawbar.
The bottom line is, an inspection station engineer has the final say, on what you can and cannot do, as regards modifications to vehicles and accessories.
Cheers, Ron.
AnswerID:
590232
Follow Up By: Shaker - Thursday, Sep 10, 2015 at 21:25
Thursday, Sep 10, 2015 at 21:25
I think you will fin that his original coupling had 2 bolts on the centreline of the mounting plate, so to drill 4 new holes shouldn't be an issue.
Vista RV Crossovers have hole patterns for both Ozhtich & Vehicle Components hitches laser cut in their mounting plate, so changing a coupling is a breeze.
FollowupID:
858234
Follow Up By: GREG T11 - Thursday, Sep 10, 2015 at 22:49
Thursday, Sep 10, 2015 at 22:49
Thanks for that, I think I will can that idea. The only reasoning behind it was being able to hitch it to a grand vintara, these have the worst towing arrangement ever.
For those amongst us who have a safety first attitude I will present a scenario that was supposedly a solution and is perfectly legal for this vehicle. An extended towbar made by a leading company, designed to clear the spare wheel and raise the height of the ball. This was used once to tow a trailer with a ball weight of 70 kg. Maybe I am wrong here but at one point we stopped to
check a noise, the bow between the receiver and the actual "gooseneck" a distance of maybe 125mm was significant. I don't trust it and it now sitting in the shed.
Fortunately we have a bravo to tow with, it would have been nice to be able to go back to one car if we needed to.
FollowupID:
858236
Reply By: TomH - Friday, Sep 11, 2015 at 08:42
Friday, Sep 11, 2015 at 08:42
I bought a towbar for my Cruiser and it had the chain attachments underneath and awkward to get at.
I asked the seller (A trailer builder,seller and towbar agent) to weld a new plate on the top.
He refused saying it was illegal to modify a plated towbar in any way, be it by welding drilling, cutting or anything. He said they are complianced as sold and cant be altered as it then voids the compliance.
Some years ago I got permission from HR to shorten and redrill the tongue on the hitch to fit the 100ser. Shortly after that they stopped permissions following legal problems from someone who had done something wrong.
So it is now not permissible to modify the hitch either .
Queries like this are as said best made from the appropriate authority who will give a definitive answer.
Answers on forums are opinions at best and may or may not be correct or even good advice.
Actual occurrences to the poster are reasonable if verifiable.
AnswerID:
590239
Follow Up By: Shaker - Friday, Sep 11, 2015 at 19:10
Friday, Sep 11, 2015 at 19:10
The OP was enquiring about altering his trailer, not his tow bar.
FollowupID:
858250
Follow Up By: TomH - Friday, Sep 11, 2015 at 20:03
Friday, Sep 11, 2015 at 20:03
My mistake In that case just remove and weld a new plate on the A frame Lots swap them from under to over and vice versa without problems Would probably be better than drilling extra holes and weakening it
FollowupID:
858257
Follow Up By: GREG T11 - Sunday, Sep 20, 2015 at 20:59
Sunday, Sep 20, 2015 at 20:59
Thanks Tom, I think I have the hitch part sorted but my chains are going to be a bit short now arrrgh, bloody Suzukis. So now have to find a welder afterall. At least the integrity of the drawbar should not be affected to any great degree.
FollowupID:
858548