Hyland Hitch & Wheel Track
Submitted: Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 19:47
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Marc Farnell
I live in Spain, and have a standard 50mm ball in my Patrol. I need a coupling to pull an offroad camper (that I'm building) which will be towed in fairly harsh conditions. A Pintle hitch here is not legal on a non commercial vehicle, so I'm thinking that the Hyland Hitch is perfect, does anyone know if the Hyland Hitch is legal in Europe? Stange question I know but I can't find any reference to this hitch on any wensite here or i the UK.
Any help much appreacited...
Also, how important is it to have the camper wheels the same track as the tow vehicle? I know it's preferable, but does anyone have any opinions about how important it is. My camper will not weigh more that 1,500kg, so will it really make much of a difference?
Reply By: Marc Farnell - Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 19:51
Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 19:51
Apologies, I have never used an internet
forum before and looking at my posted question I realise that it seams curt. I should have started with a "Hi all", and finshed with y name at least,
Thanks
Marc
AnswerID:
295462
Follow Up By: Member - David P (VIC) - Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 21:17
Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 21:17
Hi Marc, sand and bulldust are the reasons track matching are important, unless you are with another vehicle. (snatch-strap)....happy memories of Valencia and Seville etc in 1996...silverback
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Follow Up By: Marc Farnell - Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 21:55
Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 21:55
David
Could you elaborate please, you say sand and bulldust, what is the result if I don't match?
Marc
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Follow Up By: Member - David P (VIC) - Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 22:28
Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 22:28
your vehicles wheels create a harder track for a towed van or trailer to follow in, rather than your tow vehicle having to create a second set of tracks for said van/trailer which is much more difficult .... cheers siverback
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Follow Up By: Marc Farnell - Sunday, Mar 30, 2008 at 19:46
Sunday, Mar 30, 2008 at 19:46
Thanks David, the insight is much appreciated.
Marc
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Reply By: MEMBER - Darian (SA) - Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 20:00
Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 20:00
Indeed Marc !
Re Spain - do they have laws relating to road use there ? :-o)...
My attempt at humour aside......
......the specs for your Patrol are ? - engine / transmission etc ?
AnswerID:
295464
Follow Up By: Marc Farnell - Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 20:17
Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 20:17
Hi Darian,
Yes unfortunatly laws started being introduced shorlty after tarmac, in 1983 i think...
Patrol is 5 door, 3 litre, year 2000
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Reply By: Skinnydog - Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 21:43
Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 21:43
Not sure about the legalities of the Hyland, however if your using a 50mm ball I wouldn't envisage any problems as that is what they are designed for and from 4-5 years with one I have never had a problem plus they are easy to couple up. If the track of your camper is only an inch or two wider or narrower I dont think you will have any problems, as having the same track is just the ideal situation. Hope this helps.
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Follow Up By: Marc Farnell - Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 21:54
Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 21:54
Thanks skinnydog,
I think your right, and you make an interesting point which is perhaps it's only combinations that are not legal, or that can be identified as not legal, like a pintle or pin and eye etc. But as you say as the highland is made for a 50mm ball hitch then I'm sure I'll be fine.
The track of my camper is going to end up putting almost the entire camper wheel outside the track of the tow vehicle. That's more than an inch or two, do you think it'll cause problems?
Marc
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Follow Up By: Skinnydog - Sunday, Mar 30, 2008 at 10:17
Sunday, Mar 30, 2008 at 10:17
Having the camper track completely outside the track of your vehicle will put extra load on the vehicle as your camper wheels are going over virgin ground and not the already compacted ground your vehicle has just driven over. This of course is only an issue off road and even then I would be confident that it would'nt give you any real problems, as I said before having the same track is only the ideal situation, it doesn't mean its impossible if its not.
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Follow Up By: GaryInOz (Vic) - Sunday, Mar 30, 2008 at 12:52
Sunday, Mar 30, 2008 at 12:52
Also can make the trailer unstable oscillating from one side to the other in variable soft conditions
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Follow Up By: Marc Farnell - Sunday, Mar 30, 2008 at 19:48
Sunday, Mar 30, 2008 at 19:48
Thanks guys, it's as i imagined then, not perfect but probable fine for what I'm up to. thaansk for you help
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Reply By: Peter B - Sunday, Mar 30, 2008 at 17:03
Sunday, Mar 30, 2008 at 17:03
Marc, the Hyland hitch is made in
Brisbane and is hard to find a dealer, however I have one on my camper trailer and find that it is the best I have used. Keep the axel lengths the same and use the same rims and tyres as the tow vehicle,
Peter B.
AnswerID:
295609
Follow Up By: Marc Farnell - Sunday, Mar 30, 2008 at 19:53
Sunday, Mar 30, 2008 at 19:53
Peter,
I've heard lots and lots of good reports about this hitch and yours is another. I have now found a dealer in Australia who ships world wide, the company is found at www.trailerwarehouse.com.au and I spoke to a chap called Ken, who was very helpful.
Thanks Marc
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