To Treg or not to Treg...?

Chances are you don't need to change the hitch to a TREG type.

Why not check it next time you're in a situation where you think you might be asking a lot of the ball coupling. Stop the rig in that position (eg: getting off the barge) and get out and inspect the coupling.....does it appear to be at it's limit of travel? If so, maybe you should consider a TREG.

What about a Hyland coupling? I've heard they're pretty good and just as much articulation and 360 degree roll-over capability as a TREG.

Cheers

Roachie

Hi Grunter - the standard ball coupling probably does the job 80% of the time. The problem is that once you start enjoying the experince of out-of-the way locations, the last 20% starts to grow.

We are in SE Qld, and owned a Jayco Dove for 20 yrs and dragged it all over the place incl Double Island point, Inskip and Frazer, the Stezlecki, Expedition NP etc. Like you, not the Cape or extremes.
A few years ago we had a Coromal with a Treg hitch, and the van rolled on the Roper Hway NT- various reasons. The Patrol was as solid as a rock, while the poptop did a 180deg - and was a write off. VERY glad for the Treg hitch.

As your adventures take you further afield, the greater articulation of the hitch starts to become more important. Better to have it before an incident, than after - that would be my thought.

nb - the Bro-inlaw has a van with the Highland , and it works well in most situations - ( used on-road) . They are a ball, but with similar ability to the Treg.
.............................Keith

Grunter,

I have two trailers, one has a Tregg and the other doesn't.

The Tregg is on the TrakShak it is normally up around the 1000 to 1100kg mark when we are travelling, I know that is not as heavy as a Jayco.

The little box trailer has a standard ball coupling. It is probably less than 600kg most of the time.

The Tregg is a much more comfortable hitch to tow with. I mean it keeps the trailer solid on the back of the car without rattles. I have had it at high speed(think too high and you might be getting close, but I don't want to discuss the merits or otherwise of that now) on various road surfaces without any problems or fear. At low speed, crawling along rough tracks at walking pace it is wonderful.

The ball coupling is cheap and functional it does what it does OK but that is all.Mine has always rattled and bumped on the back of the car. I have broken 2 ball couplings one on a mitre drain and the other at the tip. Neither has been catastrophic but the safety chain has earned its keep.

I can't see why you could not fit a load equaliser to a trailer with a Tregg coupling. I would think the need would be determined by the vehicle not the coupling.

I don't know what a Tregg would cost these days but it is a nice bit of kit. If they are not overly expensive and if it worries you get one you won't be sorry.

If it was me I would stick with what I have unless the need for something better could be clearly demonstrated.

If you decide on a trip to the Vic High Country or the like fit a Tregg before you go. Otherwise spend the $$$ on ice cream.

Duncs

In my van research recently (I'll probably have the up-spec Hyland when I get the van mid 09) I became aware of the longer shank tow balls - they are a little 'higher' so to speak - that would seem to indicate that they allow better articulation of a hitch, over the standard height - if you have the standard ball, could that be a quantum leap in your situation ?

My thoughts were of the strength of the current hitch more so than articulation etc due to the relatively light off roading you are engaging in..

Reason being if you are stuck in very soft sand, which does occur on easy beach drives at times, you could be over stressing the standard hitch with the recovery etc..

I have a Hyland hitch on my camper trailer and can't fault it although a standard hitch such as on my boat is much easier to use as there is no aligning pins etc...

That is what I would base my decision to change the hitch over or not on..

cheers

There's one area that the Sand Man has mentioned about Treg Couplings that would make me stick with them for life regardless of the trailers use and its got nothing to do with articulation.

They are totally silent!

Towballs no matter how well adjusted rattle fit to wake the dead, not the Treg.

In answer to your question, if it ain't broke and you are happy with the system as is stick with it!

Geoff

One other thing is if you have any grease or lube on the ball, that pesky sand can find it's way into the ball and wear it out quicker.

Personally I have only used trigg and treg hitches on off road campers and trailers. The balls rattled too much and didn't offer the same piece of mind if somthing is more of an angle than it looks.
I also have a large high tensile bolt (same dia as the tow pin) and padlock that I can slip into the "poly block" when the trailer is unatended to slow down thieves. I also use a padlock instead of the standard clip when on the car so noone can pinch it when you stop at macca's.

Cheers
Dave

This is probably a dumb question ... but can you change from ball towbar to Treg without much trouble, or do I need a whole new towbar?
And what about the coupling on the caravan?
Be nice to be without the ball. It doesn't half hurt when you whack your shin on it!

The standard 50mm ball coupling restricts up and down and sideways movement to around 15% of the centreline.

When topping a rise, or going through a steep dip, you run the risk of breaking the cast iron coupling if it reaches the end on it's travel and is stressed further. Similarly, sideways twist beyond the same amount will cause the same problem.

The other hitches, (Tregg, Hyland) are made from steel and not only take much more up and down articulation and full 360° rotation, but are much stronger because they are not of cast iron construction. They also absorb any road shock and are totally silent.

Bill