Off Road Couplings
Submitted: Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 11:12
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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
Reply By: Trevor R (QLD) - Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 11:36
Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 11:36
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.
AnswerID:
290361
Follow Up By: DIO - Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 13:59
Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 13:59
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.
FollowupID:
555713
Reply By: Tony - Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 12:06
Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 12:06
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.
AnswerID:
290369
Follow Up By: Krakka - Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 13:31
Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 13:31
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.
FollowupID:
555708
Follow Up By: Tony - Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 15:06
Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 15:06
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.
FollowupID:
555733
Follow Up By: Motherhen - Monday, Mar 03, 2008 at 17:30
Monday, Mar 03, 2008 at 17:30
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
FollowupID:
555963
Reply By: Member - Ed. C. (QLD) - Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 15:44
Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 15:44
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;-))
| Confucius say.....
"He who lie underneath automobile with tool in hand,
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AnswerID:
290402
Reply By: Member - greg S (QLD) - Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 16:52
Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 16:52
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
AnswerID:
290417
Follow Up By: Member - Ed. C. (QLD) - Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 17:42
Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 17:42
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:))
| Confucius say.....
"He who lie underneath automobile with tool in hand,
....Not necessarily mechanic!!"Member My Profile Send Message |
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - eerfree(QLD) - Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 23:48
Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 23:48
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
AnswerID:
290508
Follow Up By: Kiwiausie - Monday, Mar 03, 2008 at 00:27
Monday, Mar 03, 2008 at 00:27
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!!!
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Motherhen - Monday, Mar 03, 2008 at 17:35
Monday, Mar 03, 2008 at 17:35
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
AnswerID:
290610
Reply By: Richard W (NSW) - Tuesday, Mar 04, 2008 at 06:58
Tuesday, Mar 04, 2008 at 06:58
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.
AnswerID:
290704
Follow Up By: Kiwiausie - Tuesday, Mar 04, 2008 at 08:31
Tuesday, Mar 04, 2008 at 08:31
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
FollowupID:
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Reply By: gottabjoaken - Tuesday, Mar 04, 2008 at 09:51
Tuesday, Mar 04, 2008 at 09:51
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
AnswerID:
290717
Follow Up By: Kiwiausie - Tuesday, Mar 04, 2008 at 17:26
Tuesday, Mar 04, 2008 at 17:26
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
FollowupID:
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