AU hitch for US trailer

Darren_02 · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 2:09 pm Post subject: AU hitch for US trailer

I am up to speed with the AU compliance requirements for trailers including hitches.

Our 3500kg rated US trailer has an alumium draw bar which is reinforced (with a wall down the centre) rectangle tube about 75mm across the top and just above 100m high with wall thickness of approx 4mm.

We are after a hitch with relatively narrow bolt hole spacings so we can bolt it to the top of the drawbar and still have room inside the drawbar to fit space tubes that the bolts will pass through.

What hitches do people use for these?

Any pics or details of where to buy because the stores I have called have advised their bolt hole spacings are too wide.

thanks

Darren

FOF · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 5:30 pm Post subject:

www.carac.com.au

Kerry · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 6:11 pm Post subject:

4mm wall thickness? That's a bit scary?
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Darren_02 · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 8:26 pm Post subject: Re:

JayyyyGee · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 8:30 pm Post subject:

Darren_02 · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 9:59 pm Post subject:

sorry JG I meant coupling

aah crush tubes, I thought they must have a proper name

thanks

Darren

troutfisha · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:15 pm Post subject:

try a boat yard that deals with american boats, like bayliners and trophy's.

their chandelry section should have one that would fit

JayyyyGee · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 11:34 pm Post subject:

Yep yank couplings dont comply with AU standards & wont pass rego inspections

You've got 2 options that i can think off best being to replace entire drawbar

Yanks also use odd size extrution have seen a few of these trailers @ a mates shop & he did what i sugested which was new drawbar gal'd steel
All them yank trailers that i've seen use bolt through draw bars so it's easy swap over
Yanks use odd size extution so packers need to be welded bolt on section of drawbar which in turn allows tou to go narrow on drawbar width heavier wall thickness plate welded on top to secure coupling to

No need for crush tubes + you dont have to chase up 180 mm high tensile bolts to suit your existing setup

Any engineering shop can knock drawbar up

Other option is to have existing alloy bat remodified but width you posted will have some scratching their heads as to how to re-mod cause from memory hole centres on local couplings are very close to width of that 75mm existing drawbar
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Dazzar-K · Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2012 1:14 pm Post subject:

About time you put some pictures up of this new rig Darren

rodlox · Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2012 7:35 pm Post subject:

Are you planning on running a 70mm tow ball/coupling to fit with the rating?