Off-road Hitch

Submitted: Thursday, Mar 03, 2011 at 16:50
ThreadID: 84757 Views:3645 Replies:9 FollowUps:5
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How important is a Off-road Hitch

Gang....I took my new camper out of its first venture 4 weeks ago. We did 1 week on Fraser and 1 week at Inskip Point. I currently do not have a Offroad Hitch and I am wondering if it’s really needed? My understanding is that the only real difference is that they provide a much wider articulation angle. I have some family members that will use the camper from time to time with standard tow bars. For this reason I also got a brake controller fitted on the drawbar...but it’s a real PITA for obvious reasons.

2 questions:
Do you really need a Off-road Hitch and can I install a brake controller in the car and override the one on the drawbar by just turning it all the way down?

Thanks
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Reply By: gbc - Thursday, Mar 03, 2011 at 17:01

Thursday, Mar 03, 2011 at 17:01
If beach and general touring is your go, then I'd think a standard coupling will be perfectly fine - you need some decent angles to pop a coupling off a ball. In case of an accident etc., the offroad hitch is going to stay connected longer, but depending on what type of accident you're guessing you're going to be in, that may or may not be a good thing.
As for the brakes - I've no idea but will be watching because I'm in the same boat for the same reasons.
AnswerID: 447229

Reply By: pepper2 - Thursday, Mar 03, 2011 at 17:49

Thursday, Mar 03, 2011 at 17:49
I ve seen two trailers where the ball smashed through the outer casing when you reach the limit of travel easily done at fraser if you have a sharp deep washout to cross,pretty hard to repair miles from home.
AnswerID: 447238

Reply By: Crackles - Thursday, Mar 03, 2011 at 18:02

Thursday, Mar 03, 2011 at 18:02
Not only does an all terrain hitch give greater articulation but most have a positive fit ensuring a smoother tow offroad particually with the poly type which absorb shock. Extended use of towballs in dusty conditions can also see accellerated wear.
If you only do the occational run to soft offroad destinations like Fraser then the additional expense of an Off Road Hitch is probably not justified.
A 2nd controller in the car will not over ride the one on the trailer although you could fit a switch to turn it off. I'd shift the controller to your car & if the family really want to borrow the camper then they will make the effort to install a controller to their cars. I certainly wouldn't compromise the ability to manually apply the trailer brakes or adjust the bias on the move just so it could be loaned out to everyone.
Cheers Craig...............
AnswerID: 447242

Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Thursday, Mar 03, 2011 at 18:16

Thursday, Mar 03, 2011 at 18:16
The trailer mounted brake controller can be disconnected and the active wire fvrom the brakes connected to the trailer plug.

Installing a vehicle mounted brake controller is fairly straight forward.
The blue wire from the controller runs to the trailer socket at the back of the vehicle.
The pin used is pin 5 on both the 7 pin round plug, or the 7 pin flat plug.

As far as an off road coupling is concerned, you should use one if travelling on any surface other than bitumen, assuming of course that the camper has off road suspension. I would be surprised if the camper was supplied with a ball coupling if it is off road capable.
If it's an on roader, I wouldn't be towing it on dirt tracks for any distances as it will be shaken to pieces and ground clearance would be an issue.


Bill.

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AnswerID: 447243

Follow Up By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Thursday, Mar 03, 2011 at 20:54

Thursday, Mar 03, 2011 at 20:54
Thanks mate it's a full off road trailer made by lifestyle campers
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FollowupID: 719562

Reply By: Trev6 - Thursday, Mar 03, 2011 at 20:44

Thursday, Mar 03, 2011 at 20:44
I have a poly block on our trailer that we take all our camping gear in and the good things I like about it are : It won't rattle like most towball setups

: There is no greasy ball or coupling to wipe your good clothes on as you walk past

: And if you ever get to a spot where you want to go bush, then you have the hitch to do it

hpoe this helps

trev6
AnswerID: 447258

Follow Up By: Whitewulf - Friday, Mar 04, 2011 at 08:22

Friday, Mar 04, 2011 at 08:22
": And if you ever get to a spot where you want to go bush, then you have the hitch to do it "

Good advice Trev6,
I am believer in - Its better to have it and not need it, than not have it and be stuck swearing. :)
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FollowupID: 719586

Reply By: Eric Experience - Thursday, Mar 03, 2011 at 21:07

Thursday, Mar 03, 2011 at 21:07
Troll.
A simple test to find out your limits with your tow hitch is to take the tongue out of the tow bar, connect it to the trailer and then move it up and down to its limit, that will show you what angles you can handle. I often get vehicles in my workshop with bent or broken chassis because they drove into a creek crossing with a ball hitch. Eric
AnswerID: 447267

Reply By: pt_nomad - Friday, Mar 04, 2011 at 05:38

Friday, Mar 04, 2011 at 05:38
If you go with a Highland coupling then the others who borrw the trailer can use their regular tow hitch / ball.
http://www.campertrailers.org/couplings.htm
AnswerID: 447297

Follow Up By: guzzi - Friday, Mar 04, 2011 at 06:31

Friday, Mar 04, 2011 at 06:31
I'll put a vote in for the Hyland coupling.
I have a Lifestyle Explorer + with the hyland coupling and it works very well indeed. I has done trips where a standard coupling would have had issues due to a lack of articulation.
It hooks up just like a standard coupling, just make sure that those borrowing your trailer have a 3500kg ball fitted to their bar.
I have just changed my brake system from the trailer mounted controller to a car mounted hyman reece 5300 and the difference is chalk and cheese, the in car controller is much better.
It is possible to disable the trailer mounted unit when using with a vehicle mounted controller, I changed mine due to the fact the trailer mounted unit died.
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FollowupID: 719583

Follow Up By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Friday, Mar 04, 2011 at 10:54

Friday, Mar 04, 2011 at 10:54
This looks like the go then thanks heaps
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FollowupID: 719603

Reply By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Friday, Mar 04, 2011 at 10:08

Friday, Mar 04, 2011 at 10:08
Thanks guys some great info to ponder over
AnswerID: 447309

Reply By: Member - Ed C (QLD) - Friday, Mar 04, 2011 at 14:02

Friday, Mar 04, 2011 at 14:02
WRT the brake controller question,
When SWMBO & I had our current c/t made, I did not (at that time) have a in-vehicle controller fitted (having previously used over-ride brakes), so we went with the A-frame mounted controller (ATS brand)..

As you point out, this is "less than ideal" (but better than nothihg;-))

When I got around to fitting the in-vehicle controller, I still wanted to leave the trailer mounted one there "just in case", but wondered whether or not the 2 would "fight each other", and decided the only way to find out, was to "suck it and see" ;-)...

As it turns out, it's not a problem.. Simply turn the adjustment (on the trailer one) to zero, and the Tekonsha doesn't know it's there, and works as normal :)

The trailer mounted one remains in place if & when it's required...

re the coupling, I'm using a Hyland, and have no reason to regret this choice (and it's probably the logical choice if others are using the camper)..
That said, if/when mine needs replacing, I'll be having a serious think about the Hitchmaster DO35...

Catch ya later.... Ed C

:)


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AnswerID: 447337

Follow Up By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Friday, Mar 04, 2011 at 14:06

Friday, Mar 04, 2011 at 14:06
Exactly what I was after thanks mate
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FollowupID: 719631

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