Tregg vs Hyland hitch

Submitted: Wednesday, Jun 06, 2007 at 21:02
ThreadID: 46366 Views:17547 Replies:17 FollowUps:11
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I know this has probably been looked at before but would like the latest info. I have used a Tregg and found the usual problem of altercations with the co-pilot in trying to lineup when connecting. Is there much advantage in shock reduction with the Tregg type coupling? I have read some reports of uneven wear or problems with the ball with the Hyland - does the Hyland need a special ball for the connection? Is a special coupling even required for use with a "semi-offroad" 17ft poptop that obviously cannot venture into extreme conditions.
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Reply By: Member - Doug T (W.A) - Wednesday, Jun 06, 2007 at 21:19

Wednesday, Jun 06, 2007 at 21:19
This ORAC I had on an Off Road Trailer in 1997 was a good versatile hitch but also was difficult to line up.

obrien.obrien.fastmail.com.au/

The ORAC coupling features:
Full 90 degrees of pivot above and below the horizontal when other couplings are limited to 15-20 degrees.
The ORAC coupling was designed with a special anti vibration bush to prevent damage to your vehicle or trailer on badly corrugated roads or tracks.
The ORAC also has 360 degrees of rotation between the tow vehicle and trailer for safe reliable towing.
Recommended Retail Price $215.00 inc gst



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AnswerID: 245242

Follow Up By: Member - MrBitchi (QLD) - Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 10:44

Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 10:44
The ORAC gets my vote too.
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FollowupID: 506388

Follow Up By: Robert - Friday, Jun 08, 2007 at 17:54

Friday, Jun 08, 2007 at 17:54
And gets my vote too. Having an isolating sleeve of polyurethane to asorb vibrations has to be better than steel to steel!
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FollowupID: 506679

Reply By: DIO - Wednesday, Jun 06, 2007 at 21:38

Wednesday, Jun 06, 2007 at 21:38
I have used Treg couplings for over 25 years and once mastered, never experienced any problems in hitching up or for that matter disconnecting. I find them to be very secure, flexible and safe coupling.
AnswerID: 245251

Reply By: Member - Captain (WA) - Wednesday, Jun 06, 2007 at 22:01

Wednesday, Jun 06, 2007 at 22:01
Hi Jolo,

I too have the line-up issues with the tregg but have found that the ratchet type jockey wheel makes the difference. Usually you can get to within a few inches of where you need to be and the ratchet jockey makes that final alignment simple enough.

While I have yet to use the hyland hitch, it appears to overcome all the disadvantages of the tregg with the exception of shock reduction. Its for that reason I have stuck with the tregg.

Cheers

Captain
AnswerID: 245261

Reply By: Member - colin J (VIC) - Wednesday, Jun 06, 2007 at 22:09

Wednesday, Jun 06, 2007 at 22:09
Hi jolo,
I have recently fitted the Hyland hitch to my 14' 6" off road Windsor Rapid. We may not be able to take our vans into extreme off road conditions but the Hyland hitch gives you full articulation and peace of mind when you may have problems with a standard coupling (say on undulations or when you may come across a ditch etc). A 3.5 tonne rated ball comes with the hitch. Connecting the van to the car is so easy, just like the standard ones. My better half is now concerned that now we will be able to go into more radical spots which always puts the hee bee geebees up her, but gets my adrenalin pumping. Look forward to more off road touring in the future.
The Hyland hitch gives me the versatility of a off road hitch, without the screaming match when we hook up.
Regards from Col.
AnswerID: 245264

Follow Up By: Wizard1 - Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 08:05

Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 08:05
I've also recently fitted a Hyland to our 16 ft Jayco. Despite contacting the manufacturer, I am unable to easily disconnect the coupling from the ball. As suggested by others, there is a great deal of winding up and down and moving the vehicle back and fro before it lets go. Although lining up and gettting the couping on the ball is easy we experience problems during hitch up to get the ball lock to fully engage.

I use a Hayman Reese WDH and rfeplaced the standard height ball with a higher one hoping this would fix the problem as it seemed the bottom of the Hyland coupling was actually resting on the hitch.

Do you have any tips that helped you overcome these problems. Do you have a 3.5 tonne ball?
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FollowupID: 506360

Follow Up By: Keith_A (Qld) - Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 08:33

Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 08:33
Hi Wizard. The brother-in-law had the exact same problem that you describe.
I was there on several occasions trying to uncouple the van - damn frustrating.
Turned out to be the size of the ball.
There was a date at which Hiland changed their coupling size - not by much mind you - but the change created the 'too tight to get off' problem.
The date of the van was close to the date of the change - so even the van manufacturer didn't realise the mismatch.
The owner of Highland also lives in Brisbane, so actually came around - identified the problem and supplied the new ball. Nice of him - Problem solved.

Also be aware that the Highland coupling can turned the WRONG way.
Bit hard to describe, but here goes : You can rotate the shaft 180 deg in the horizontal, AND then swivel the socket 180 Deg vertically. This LOOKS almost the same as before, but the steel frame around the ball is upside down, and it is NOT symetrical. It will hold the ball up - though the weight of the van may be enough to force it on - and again you will suffer grief trying to uncouple the unit. Recognizing that little puzzle was a bit like solving Rubics cube :)

........Hope the above gives you a plan of attack.......Keith
(nb - I use a Tregg.).
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FollowupID: 506363

Follow Up By: Member - Oldplodder (QLD) - Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 12:03

Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 12:03
Wasn't a change from 2" to 50mm dia balls in the design?
Got caught on a trailer with this too.
2" = 52.4m, while the new size (well has been for a while) is metric 50mm.
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FollowupID: 506395

Follow Up By: Wizard1 - Friday, Jun 08, 2007 at 11:54

Friday, Jun 08, 2007 at 11:54
Kieth,

I didn't think there were so many different ways to spell Hyland.

I rang Darren Hyland, as I live in the Gold Coast, he has offered to come down from Beenleigh and have a look at the problem. I think that is outstanding service.

He did suggest the slight variances in ball size (in millimetres) might be enough, as suggested by others, to be enough to make the process of hitching and unhitching more difficult. At the same time he could probably avoid these problems with better design and development to accommodate the slight variances in ball size; but if he's willing to come out a remedy the problem then I'm happy.

Your suggestion about things being the wrong way around are very interesting and worth persuing.

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FollowupID: 506632

Reply By: Motherhen - Wednesday, Jun 06, 2007 at 22:19

Wednesday, Jun 06, 2007 at 22:19
We added the AT35 to our caravan. It is not difficult to line up and my husband can do it by himself (he says it is easier than trying to follow my hand signals). The main issue lining up is getting the height right, rather than the sideways alignment. Even with the fixed jack, i can nudge the a-frame with my knee to line up if needed. We bought a ratchet jockey wheel but never needed it for coupling. We have full articulation with this hitch and would not like to be without it.
Motherhen

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AnswerID: 245270

Follow Up By: Kev M (NSW) - Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 07:59

Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 07:59
I agree,
The AT35 hitch is easy to connect up to, just get the height right and the sideways movement is easy. (Bad Back and all)

Kev
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FollowupID: 506356

Follow Up By: Member - David A (QLD) - Friday, Jun 08, 2007 at 20:30

Friday, Jun 08, 2007 at 20:30
Another vote for the at35.

David
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FollowupID: 506699

Reply By: Member - Toolman (VIC) - Wednesday, Jun 06, 2007 at 22:43

Wednesday, Jun 06, 2007 at 22:43
Jolo
I had a Hyland hitch on my "off-road" van. I believe the people who make the Hyland Hitch can supply you with a towball better suited to that particular hitch. I didn't know about it at the time of our trip so I used the normal towball and had a lot of trouble disconnecting the hitch from the towball sometimes. A lot of bouncing up and down, jacking up the van etc. Eventually it would release but it could be a pain.

I have had no experience with the Tregg hitches.

Toolman
AnswerID: 245275

Reply By: Member - JohnR (Vic)&Moses - Wednesday, Jun 06, 2007 at 23:41

Wednesday, Jun 06, 2007 at 23:41
jolo, have a Treg on the KK and haven't had a problem lining up so far. Heather drives to my instruction reversing in difficult areas like tight corners. If it is straight forward I just reverse using the mirrors and check alignment getting close. No troubles now with a bit of experience. No experience with other options apart from noisy trailer balls over the years.....
AnswerID: 245285

Reply By: Muzzgit [WA] - Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 00:06

Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 00:06
The main reason for full articulation in a tow hitch is in case of a trailer rollover. The fact that better and easier off road travelling comes with it is a bonus.

The bonus with the Hyland is you don't have to swap around when you need to tow another trailer with a towball.

Hitching a treg or trigg in boggy sand can sometimes be a real PITASSSSSSS
AnswerID: 245289

Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 01:35

Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 01:35
Never had any real problems reversing back to the Treg Hitch.
Maybe sometimes SHMBO gave conflicting directions.

Now, since installing the reversing camera (isn't it what it's there for) the task is really a piece of wee wee.
Bill


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AnswerID: 245295

Reply By: ddr - Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 08:57

Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 08:57
Ive used all 3 hitches as discussed in this thread. IME the Hyland is by far the easiest to hitch up & unhitch & gives just as good articulation as the other 2 (In real world normal situations).

Worst was the Treg, then the Orac for hitching up or taking off. Slight pulling of the trailer (eg on a hill) with the orac or treg would make it nearly impossible to remove the pin. No such problems with the Hyland. I havent experienced any issue with the hyland not disconnecting either, the ball came with the hitch however.

If given the choice on a new van Id choose the hyland every time.
AnswerID: 245330

Reply By: Ford Rodeo - Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 09:08

Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 09:08
Jolo, I tell you what, if hooking up a Treg hitch is a problem for anyone then I suggest camping is far above them, LOL. Its really not a consideration. Used a Tregg for years and had no problems.

Phill
AnswerID: 245332

Reply By: Glenn_co - Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 09:50

Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 09:50
I too use the Hyland and highly recommend it and Darren the owner is very helpfuly. I have used to have some difficulty unhooking the camper but I sovled the problem. I just removed the pin from the hitch before winding up the jockie wheel this allows for movement when raising the camper with the jockie wheel. Uneven ground or just the fact that are raising the height of the camper makes the distance between camper and vechile change as you wind the jockie wheel but by removing the pin from the hitch before winding the jockie wheel solved this problem by allowing a little movement in or out (usually out) in the hitch. I hope you can understand what I'm tring to say.
Regards

Glenn
AnswerID: 245344

Follow Up By: Member - colin J (VIC) - Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 10:26

Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 10:26
On larger off road caravans the Hyland hitch comes into it's own as you don't have the ability, due to their weight, to manhandle the van when you are trying to line up the other hitches. I use the supplied tow ball, and haven't had the problem others seem to have had in connecting the van to the car.
Regards Col.
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FollowupID: 506385

Reply By: Member - Greydemon (WA) - Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 13:26

Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 13:26
Supposedly a European Bumble bee, given it's weight,wing area and wing speed, cannot fly. As no-one has actually explained this to the bees they continue to flit merrily from flower to flower.

In a similar way I have been perfectly happy over the last few years merrily hitching and unhitching my CT with its Treg hitch. I didn't know that it was hard , so it wasn't hard.

NOW ....you rotten lot have told me its difficult and life will never be the same again.

Thanks a lot guys !

Luckily the 'trouble and strife' hasn't read this, and as long as I don't tell her I can get her to do all the future hitching.
AnswerID: 245384

Follow Up By: ddr - Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 13:36

Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 13:36
Dont think anyone has said its "hard" just that there is something easier. Why give yourself extra work, ball & chain will have plenty lined up for you.
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FollowupID: 506406

Reply By: Member - Steven H (ACT) - Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 21:33

Thursday, Jun 07, 2007 at 21:33
I used the ORAC for years and never had any trouble although now l have the Hyland hitch and earlier I did experience a problem with the hitch not quite sitting on all the way before it seemed to touch the tongue. I placed an automotive washer under the ball and consequently raised the height of the ball by a couple of mm and the problem was solved.
Steven
AnswerID: 245492

Reply By: Member - MrBitchi (QLD) - Friday, Jun 08, 2007 at 14:44

Friday, Jun 08, 2007 at 14:44
Hmmmmm......

It appears that everyone agrees that the service from Hyland is first class and that Darren Hyland is a great bloke who'll go out of his way to help anyone having problems with one of their hitches...

I would have no idea as to the quality of backup service available for the ORAC hitch, simply because I've never needed it, nor have I ever heard of anyone else needing service.

ORAC for me. ;-)
AnswerID: 245624

Reply By: jolo - Friday, Jun 08, 2007 at 21:08

Friday, Jun 08, 2007 at 21:08
Thanks for you response to help me make a decision on what hitch to opt for. However, reading the replies has not made a decision very easy as both systems seem to have advantages. I agree that alignment for a Treg type hich is only a minor problem but would like to know if there are other advantages such as a noticable reduction in vibration/shock resistance compared to a Hyland hitch. If there is not much difference, any system to make life easier would be an advantage. I am not planning to travel much on outback roads and only want something with more articulation for piece of mind for an occasional trip to a more remote camping spot. I only have a 17ft semi-offroad poptop so will not be attempting too much
AnswerID: 245697

Follow Up By: ddr - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 09:48

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 09:48
IME there was no noticable difference between the Hyland & Treg in vibration/shock. However the vans are different so towing will also be different.

Vans are:

Jayco Swan (Treg)
Trakmaster Kimberly (Hyland)
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FollowupID: 507156

Reply By: Member - MrBitchi (QLD) - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 07:57

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 07:57
After having a good look at the Brissy Camping show on the weekend my second choice would be the AT35. Not quite as much articulation as the Orac nor quite as low a profile, but IMO better than the Tregg.

But you still can't beat the low profile and simplicity of the Orac ;-)
AnswerID: 246261

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