Air Safe Hitch
Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 16, 2016 at 20:37
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Has anyone had one of these hitch's and if so please comment.
Reply By: Member - Roachie - Wednesday, Nov 16, 2016 at 22:15
Wednesday, Nov 16, 2016 at 22:15
I have one on my Chev Silverado for when I'm towing the caravan.
If you have a larger truck type tow vehicle (eg: Chevy, Ram, F250, Canter etc) then you really should consider one for the health of your caravan....they take all the shock load out of the hitch.
Mine was a "5" but I've recently upgraded it to a "6" by buying the heavier duty parallel bars (4 off) and a pair of shock absorbers.
Before and after pics below:
Airsafe
Upgraded AirSafe
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Follow Up By: Whirlwinder - Sunday, Nov 20, 2016 at 13:54
Sunday, Nov 20, 2016 at 13:54
Hi Roachie,
I like your set up. I also have a Mchitch coupling and it is great.
I am surprised to see you have non rated shackles on your safety chains. Was that just for the photo?
Ian
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Follow Up By: Member - Roachie - Sunday, Nov 20, 2016 at 17:18
Sunday, Nov 20, 2016 at 17:18
Not sure what you mean by non-rated mate. They are 3.2 tonne RATED shackles.....heaps of overkill; way way stronger than the chains.
I've since sold the McHitch Auto and replaced it with a Hitch Ezy. Doing so has brought the truck 100mm closer to the van, so I've removed the big yellow hooks and can now just use the large shackles and the hammerlocks.
These shackles are the ones that most people use for recovery needs (snatch straps etc). You may think they aren't rated because the paint has worn off the pins.
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Follow Up By: TomH - Sunday, Nov 20, 2016 at 17:40
Sunday, Nov 20, 2016 at 17:40
There is NO legal requirement to use rated shackles Ones with 10mm pins are heavy enough..
Chains however must be adequate and stamped with the 4177 standard.
Hooks as shown may be another thing but I have read the ratings on those but have never seen where hooks are legal in Oz. I see you no longer use them however.
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Reply By: Member - Andrew & Jen - Monday, Nov 21, 2016 at 12:18
Monday, Nov 21, 2016 at 12:18
Hullo 2
Did you get what you needed from these answers?
There was at least one previous thread on the subject. Maybe take the trouble to search for it
I have had an Airsafe for about 4 years on the dual effie (GVM 5700 kg) and endorse what Roachie said.
You didn't say what vehicle you have. The Airsafe is definitely NOT for those with a normal light
suspension - coils or leaf - you get on most utes, etc with a GCM < 6000/6500 kg
Btw, the unit I have - rated at 6000 kg - weighs about 35 kg.
Cheers
Andrew
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606050
Follow Up By: 2 - Monday, Nov 21, 2016 at 20:55
Monday, Nov 21, 2016 at 20:55
Thanks to all those who replied. The tow vehicle is a 2011 Toyota tray back towing a 20 foot Kokoda van weighing in at about 2750kgs with a ball weight of 280 kgs.
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