help with AT35 hitch

Howdy fatfrog,
We have an AT35 on 2440Kg tare van - have found it very easy to use after the initial time of realising that ANY forces from either van or TOJO will make it difficult. I can align it easily with use of the mirrors for centality of hitch to TOJO then with it the correct height a slight nudge in reverse LR means a little use of a ratchet jockey wheel and presto - less than 5 minutes from go to wo and I am hitched.
I keep it well lubricated as well!.
Cheers - Mobi

Hi Fatfrog,
Don't know about the AT35 so cannot comment but we have a Hylander hitch on a Kanga camper, & I can assure you that they do not rattle or make any noise regardless of the surface being travelled on, if that did occur there is a simple adjustment on the hitch that can be set-up for the ball clearance. It is easy to couple to the vehicle as it will align itself on the ball as you lower the hitch.

Cheers Simon.

Hi Fatfrog
I have an AT35 on our Odyssey CT and in the beginning had the same problems as you, but solved it by making up a 300 x 300 piece of ½ inch ply with a 20 mm lip all the way around it. Always let the jockey wheel down on it and it’s a cinch when it comes to hooking up. The lip’s important so that the jockey wheel doesn’t inadvertently roll off the ply. A simple solution, but has worked well for use over the last couple of years.

Cheers … Geoff

Mr Frog ,
Is an AT-35 a Treg ?
Willie

yep it is a bugger - BUT there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Do what my wife and I do - don't disconnect the hitch but pull the pin from the towing tongue and let the whole lot slide out. When re connecting just reverse the whole thing. Only the hitch pin to engage. We are both 60 yo so if we can do it you can. Don't get rid off the AT35 it is a good hitch..

Grrr!!!

We have no trouble hitching up, but sometimes if the levels aren't right, it is almost impossible to remove the pin to unhitch. Winding the jack (or jockey wheel) up or down can improve the situation, and sometimes reversing the Patrol or leaving it in neutral is all that is needed. To hitch up, my husband can do it by himself (he says quicker and easier than with me giving him directions) by clearing a sight path through open rear doors (we have not used the camera for this).

When i am hitching, he backs, and even with the heavy caravan on a fixed jack, there is enough flexibility to nudge it with my knee if it needs and inch or two sideways movement. Leaving the Patrol in neutral if it is flattish and safe to do so makes it easy too.

We purchased a jockey wheel with ratchet to assist but have never needed it.

Crazy Dog's idea may be worth trying when unhitching is difficult, although i think the tension problem would still occur, but if it works for him, give it a go.

We chose the AT35 to give us the flexibility we needed over a ball hitch, as when we purchased the caravan, the set up had been modified so that i needed to hold the tongue whilst my husband backed exactly onto it, with me holding it with both hands unable to give hand signals, and him unable to hear me over the diesel motor, and i had to hold it steady. It also had to line up exactly to the pin - saying go forward 2 mms could result in the Patrol moving forward too far and the tongue dropping out again. Fine at home, but difficult if unable to back straight onto it, hence the change to what we find an easy option.

fatfrog
It's a love/hate relationship with the AT35 - mainly hate ;-)

I went to Vehicle Components and got them to give me the run down.

First thing was don't use grease on the pin only in the grease nipples on the hitch etc. They suggested silicone spray instead. This has made a big difference. The hitch needs to be generally free of grit so it doesn't bind or jam up. It's easier to keep clean and keep any grit out using silicone spray and you don't get grease all over you and your clothes every time you hitch up.

The silicone spray also doesn't attract as much grime on the road. Only thing here is you need to give it a quick spray every week or so on the road. I have been using the silicone for 6mths with no problems.

If you don’t know already when unhitching you must have no tension on the pin. Wind the jockey wheel up until it starts to lift the vehicle then slowly back off, winding down, until you see the hitch drop around the pin. You need to watch carefully as it is only a very slight movement. It should then come out easily.

Also, where the spring on the pin ends at the top this end can sometimes catch on the locking lug when trying to release and turn the pin. Make sure this top end of the spring is turned around on the pin towards the rear or camper out of the way before locating the pin when hitching up.

VC mentioned they may be changing the design slightly to help the hitch locate better by widening the receiver instead of tapering it near the pin holes, if that makes sense.

We also use our jacking plate under the jockey wheel when in soft ground, makes life easier. Stick with it, it’s a very safe hitch and once it’s locked on it can’t come adrift and the articulation is ridiculously good.

Half the battle is lining it up in the first place, god knows how people do it with a caravan, a lot of Bushtrackers have this hitch but use power wheels.

We’ll be getting the Hyland when we get the van though. :-)
John

I think it has been pretty well covered. Hooking up is no problem, and I do that alone without any problems. Saves the arguments with the wife over which way she said, and how far!!! The reversing camera is great for this.

Only problem we have had is in disconnecting a couple of times and getting the pin out. Releasing pressure by adjusting the jockey wheel and occasionally moving the vehicle a touch overcomes this.

I also put my jockey wheel on a wooden jacking plate when on soft ground. The idea of putting a small lip on it to stop the wheel rolling off is a good one. I'll give it a try.

Overall though, The AT 35 is a great hitch.

Thanks everyone for your tips and suggestions, I will try them out over the coming w/ends away. It sounds as if I might need something which I don't possess ... patience.

Cheers