Coromal Van Hitch

Submitted: Monday, May 09, 2011 at 21:31
ThreadID: 86178 Views:4928 Replies:14 FollowUps:16
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I bought a Coromal Magnum XC (off road) pop top last year and was surprised to find when it came loose after travelling on a gravel road that the Treg coupling is only bolted on to the A-frame by two bolts where I am pointing with my finger in the pic'. The other two bolts only hold the park brake lever on.
I sent an email to Coromal and was informed by the receptionist that this is how they have been made for years and even on the larger vans.
Can any one with an off road Coromal with a treg hitch tell me if they have had a need to strengthen or more securely attach there hitch?
Thanking you
Dino.Image Could Not Be FoundImage Could Not Be Found
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Reply By: Sand Man (SA) - Monday, May 09, 2011 at 21:45

Monday, May 09, 2011 at 21:45
Dino,

Looking at the photo it looks to me that the coupling is bolted to the support bracket at the front and welded at the back. A strange looking setup.

Are the nuts for the two bolts Nyloc type?
If not, change to Nyloc nuts, or ensure there is a spring washer underneath the nuts to stop them coming loose with vibration.


Bill.

Bill


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AnswerID: 453781

Follow Up By: Member - Dino R (WA) - Monday, May 09, 2011 at 21:53

Monday, May 09, 2011 at 21:53
Yhea I'll check that Bill but no its not welded at the back its all one piece,if you unscrew those two bolts the whole lot comes off.
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FollowupID: 726616

Reply By: zigdog - Monday, May 09, 2011 at 22:11

Monday, May 09, 2011 at 22:11
Hi,

Just looked on my KK to confirm it has 4 bolts (big buggers too, 2 front and 2 rear).

I also noted that your pic show just one greese nipple, on the top. On mine I have 2, side on and I also note that the housing for the compression brake is stronger looking. In fact, is that a compression brake their one yours? (not that we need it as have elec brakes)

I'm sorry to suggest but your treg looks a lot 'weaker' than the one on my KK. Not sure it's a full treg system, just the front pin block?

AnswerID: 453786

Reply By: zigdog - Monday, May 09, 2011 at 22:13

Monday, May 09, 2011 at 22:13
Hi,

Just looked on my KK to confirm it has 4 bolts (big buggers too, 2 front and 2 rear).

I also noted that your pic shows just one greese nipple, on the top. On mine I have 2, side on and I also note that the housing for the compression brake is stronger looking. In fact, is that a compression brake there on yours? (not that we need it as have elec brakes)

I'm sorry to suggest but your treg looks a lot 'weaker' than the one on my KK. Not sure it's a full treg system, just the front pin block?

AnswerID: 453787

Follow Up By: Member - Dino R (WA) - Monday, May 09, 2011 at 22:20

Monday, May 09, 2011 at 22:20
Yhea Its a compression brake and I have electric brakes too, I thought it would have had to have four bolts as well ! that's why I sent the email to Coromal encase it was a manufacture fault but that was the above reply, so I was hoping someone else with the same van might check and let me know.
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FollowupID: 726622

Reply By: Neil & Pauline - Monday, May 09, 2011 at 22:19

Monday, May 09, 2011 at 22:19
I am not an engineer but I cannot see how 2 bolts can ever take the strain without loosening. The tow ball load is twisting the head of the bolt and end up breaking off in time.
I expect it should get out of warranty before failing so don't worry!!!.


Neil
AnswerID: 453788

Follow Up By: Member - Dino R (WA) - Monday, May 09, 2011 at 22:25

Monday, May 09, 2011 at 22:25
Yhea Neil my warranty runs out in August but Coromal said if I want to change how the treg hitch is fitted it would be at my own cost.
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FollowupID: 726623

Follow Up By: Member - Bruce T (SA) - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 12:13

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 12:13
Dino,

Unfortunately a common response from Coromal.

Cheers,
Di and Bruce
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FollowupID: 726650

Follow Up By: Neil & Pauline - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 13:16

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 13:16
My understanding of the Australian design standards I don't think that 2 bolts actually comply. Because of self regulation you will need to take that up with whoever placed the compliance plate, probably coromal.

Neil


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FollowupID: 726654

Follow Up By: Fran & Col - Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 18:59

Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 18:59
We are the proud owners of a Pioneer Silhouette PS421 Coromal campervan, we have had the van for over 2 years now, with a treg hitch attached, the weight of the van is only 1300kg, we have travelled many rough roads and have not had a problem.

Thanks Fran
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FollowupID: 726941

Follow Up By: Fran & Col - Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 18:59

Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 18:59
We are the proud owners of a Pioneer Silhouette PS421 Coromal campervan, we have had the van for over 2 years now, with a treg hitch attached, the weight of the van is only 1300kg, we have travelled many rough roads and have not had a problem.

Thanks Fran
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FollowupID: 726942

Reply By: Member - Captain (WA) - Monday, May 09, 2011 at 22:46

Monday, May 09, 2011 at 22:46
I just checked the pics of my Camprite Treg hitch, it looks the same as yours with two exceptions, 1) there are no two front bolt holes and 2) its fully welded to the drawbar!

Wonder if yours is meant to be welded and not bolted!!!

Cheers

Captain
AnswerID: 453793

Follow Up By: Member - Dino R (WA) - Monday, May 09, 2011 at 22:49

Monday, May 09, 2011 at 22:49
Yhea not sure I was told your not alloud to actually weld the hitch to your A-frame it has to be bolted! Did you buy it new like that?
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FollowupID: 726625

Follow Up By: Member - Captain (WA) - Monday, May 09, 2011 at 23:37

Monday, May 09, 2011 at 23:37
Hi Dino,

Depends on the hitch brand, Treg make both types, a weld-on and a bolt-on.

Cheers

Captain
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FollowupID: 726627

Reply By: Member Al (Sunshine Coast) - Monday, May 09, 2011 at 23:15

Monday, May 09, 2011 at 23:15
Dino, The Treg website here refers to "Weld-on" type and "Bolt-on with 4 bolt holes" type. No sign of a hitch with only 2 bolt holes.
Perhaps phone Coromal and get past the receptionist.

Cheers
Allan

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AnswerID: 453797

Follow Up By: Member - Captain (WA) - Monday, May 09, 2011 at 23:47

Monday, May 09, 2011 at 23:47
Hi Al,

Looking at your link to the Treg website, it appears that Dino's hitch is the "Bolt-on with 4 bolt holes" type, but only 2 bolt holes have been used! Dino may want to follow this up with the manufacturer, both Treg and Coromal.

Cheers

Captain
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FollowupID: 726628

Follow Up By: Member Al (Sunshine Coast) - Monday, May 09, 2011 at 23:53

Monday, May 09, 2011 at 23:53
Dunno Captain, Dino's photo does not reveal two unused bolt holes. More like a weld-on which has been drilled for 2 bolts. Dodgy in my book. As you say, a follow-up is the go.


Cheers
Allan

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Follow Up By: Member - Captain (WA) - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 00:29

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 00:29
I was looking at the 3rd photo in your Treg link, looks the same as Dino's hitch. Not 100% sure, but it sure looks like the rear 2 bolts that hold the handbrake on are also part of the hitch 4 bolt system for the non-cast version. Either way, rather than guess, talk to Treg :)

Cheers

Captain
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FollowupID: 726630

Reply By: Gronk - Monday, May 09, 2011 at 23:57

Monday, May 09, 2011 at 23:57
You may find with the way the drawbars come together, there is no room for a bolt to go thru with a nut on the other side, but all is not lost....just drill and tap 2 new holes (make sure they are roughly thru the centre of the drawbar ).....and if not already there.....use hi tensile bolts..
AnswerID: 453800

Reply By: Member - Kevin J (Sunshine Coa - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 07:47

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 07:47
Would do well to check that the bolts in the hitch are correct type and size eg are they High Tensile and not mild steel.

Don't laugh here. It was recently found that a certain manufacturer was using incorrect bolts. Maybe they came cheaper - and no there was no recall as far as I can establish.

Kevin J
AnswerID: 453813

Reply By: zigdog - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 08:08

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 08:08
Hi Dinno,

Here is a couple of pics of mine. As you can see, 4 bolts and the brake line cable is attached to the back of the compression block, to allow compression braking, if the catch at the front is left open. Not sure how yours is meant to work there as from the pics I can't see how the brake cable is linked into the compression housing.
It just looks like a bar in a tube allowing circular motion but no front to rear action.

What sort it is I don't know, but this is the one we get on KK's.

Ok, so I can't load my pics, guess as I'm not a fully paid up member.

Hope this link works.. treg catalogue

AnswerID: 453819

Reply By: Alloy c/t - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 08:14

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 08:14
Fake Treg saves $$$.
AnswerID: 453820

Reply By: MP - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 09:56

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 09:56
OK, I'll put in my 2 cents worth. It appears that the plate that is welded to the drawbar, that the hitch is bolted to, should extend to where the rear bolts are, so that they can go through the plate as well as the handbrake, and by looking at that picture that doesn't seem to be the case. I would also upgrade the D shackle on your chain.

Cheers

Mark
AnswerID: 453826

Follow Up By: snoopyone - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 11:00

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 11:00
Yep D shackles are supposed to be the same rating as the chain and nowadays are supposed to be stamped with the rating and 4177.
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FollowupID: 726647

Reply By: Ian & Sue - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 10:01

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 10:01
Just took a look at our trig on our 2008 Coromal Corvair Pioneer - same set up as yours.

We did the Cape last year and have travelled many thousands of klms off road no problems at all.


Cheers. Sue
AnswerID: 453828

Follow Up By: Gronk - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 10:28

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 10:28
So far !!!

2 bolts holding together 2 tons is not good enough !!
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FollowupID: 726644

Reply By: Ray - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 11:09

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 11:09
To me, although I do not use a Treg or a Trig hitch that the lower plate where the hitch is bolted to is too short to allow the hitch to be bolted on correctly. Then on the other hand it could be the weld on type that hasn't been welded on. Whatever way the cookie crumbles the system is RS and I would blame the caravan manufacturer for shoddy design and workmanship.
AnswerID: 453835

Follow Up By: Member - Kevin J (Sunshine Coa - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 15:00

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 15:00
A dollar saved???? So what's new in this industry.

I would be looking seriously at getting a professional to replace this hitch along with the safety chains. Then again that's just my opinion of this particular brand.

Kevin J
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FollowupID: 726663

Reply By: Life Member - esarby (NSW) - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 17:21

Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 17:21
Dino. Looking at your photo's, the hand brake unit has been welded onto the Treg unit and it looks like they have covered up the rear holes of the Treg plate. You do not have a compression brake, Look at the nut on the main unit, No way can it operate the brakes. I would definitely be checking our the legality of the fit out for sure. Look dodgy to me. Steve.B...

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AnswerID: 453857

Follow Up By: Member - Dino R (WA) - Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 14:30

Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 14:30
Yhea Steve sorry I didn't know what a compression brake was now I understand,yhea my van has electric brakes with a manual hand brake, but the whole hitch is defiantly only held on by the two front bolts because they came loose on me and I could see. I was just hoping to establish if there is meant to be four bolts holding it on by another owner with a similar van,cheers mate Dino.
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FollowupID: 726912

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