Trailer Question

[kevinrude]

Hey guys,

Not an outboard question but I figure you guys will know the answer.

I bought a utility trailer over the weekend that has a tongue coupler I’ve never seen before (see pictures). How do I lock this coupler to the ball hitch while driving? Regular couplers are easy; you just slide a padlock through the hole provided. I have no idea how to lock this coupler though. Any ideas?

Thanks.

Regards,
Kevin

https://photos.app.goo.gl/FjZDUgPL5kTKvPU47

https://photos.app.goo.gl/98HcbbfhzLmFoLeK6

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ADDraFGTtcJMb7eZ9

https://photos.app.goo.gl/BDNu5Hxoc6MzFisc8

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Mj5q3ULXeLdiGTFQ9

[amuller]

Hmmm, I’ve never seen one like that either. Does the bolt in the slotted hole do anything special?

[fisherman6]

I have never seen one exactly like that either. I have one very similar on one of my trailers. I do not have the bolt thru the slot though, and mine does have a provision for a 1/4″ safety pin to pass thru the latch. There is spring tension that holds the latch down with the two protrusions resting in the slots so not a lot of tendency to come loose, but I understand your concern with not being able to pin it in place.
-Ben

OldJohnnyRude on YouTube

[amuller]

Agree that as long as that torsion spring is intact the latch will probably be held down. But I think if it were mine I would probably modify it with provision for a lock pin, or at least put a strap around it. There are times and places where one wants to be able to lock the coupler. (Unless, of course, that bolt/slotted hole does something….)

[kevinrude]

I never thought to check the bolt in the slotted hole. I will take a look.

As far as the spring is concerned, I can’t feel it doing anything. In that first picture you can see me holding the latch up — I lifted it without any resistance. I would assume that if the spring was doing its job, lifting it would have some resistance and would *snap* into place once pulled up. There is a spring in there. I will see if I can have a closer look. Sounds like a job for my inspection camera!

Thanks guys!

[sydinnj]

I have the same set up and yes you close the coupler and then make sure that the bolt is loose and then slide it forward and then tighten it down. My little 4″ crescent wrench works great for this.

[kevinrude]

sydinnj, i hope you are correct! i will give that a shot next time i can get to the trailer (it’s out at the lake right now). now that you say that, i assume that the bolt slides a bar (or something, pin maybe?) into the front of the coupler locking it in place? can’t wait to find out!

thanks everyone. i will update when i have more information.

[Anonymous]

I have this coupler on my 1979 Easyloader trailer. On the side that you do not show is a hole on the vertical part of the body. When latched you place a padlock through the hole and round the bottom. This will lock the cross pin from siding to the rear and the latch from lifting.

[Tubs]

A "Boathouse Repair" is one that done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.

• This reply was modified 6 years, 2 months ago by Mumbles.

[eviltwin]

Atwood hitch. Note that in first video he shows that if there is tension between tow vehicle and trailer it won’t come up (or down probably.) Reason I mention it is folks will be tempted to beat on it with a hammer to close it, and that will damage the two latch pins on the
bottom.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Zq3f8b37laQ
Second video shows features including lock pin hole.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jcMicqmZOVg

Side note, I was surprised to see the video posted like this, all I did was copy and paste the link. Wonder if pictures would be the same?
Side note2, Interesting, pasted the second link in same manner but it just shows the link. Kinda random?

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