Need advice on a trailer hitch - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

strelnik · #1 01-23-2011, 12:49 AM

I have a chance to get a trailer with a ring-type hitch connector (see photo). I have a van that will tow 8200 lbs so no problem, the trailer is a one-ton, single axle.

I have a regular class 3 Reese hitch and a tube with three different trailer ball sizes that slides in and out.

How do I attach to this trailer? What kind of a connector is used? Anyone know?

I don't know if this is called a pintle hitch or not, doesn't look like others I've seen.

Thanks!

Txjake · #2 01-23-2011, 12:52 AM

that is what goes in a pintle hitch...ag and military use them a lot because you can do cool things off road with them. lots of flex for off camber stuff. you cqan put another end on it to couple with a regular ball, see a trailer store

strelnik · #3 01-23-2011, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Txjake

that is what goes in a pintle hitch...ag and military use them a lot because you can do cool things off road with them. lots of flex for off camber stuff. you cqan put another end on it to couple with a regular ball, see a trailer store

That's what I need to know. Am betting I'll have to go to an ag store, trailer hitch stores around here are one step better than Walmart

Emmerich · #4 01-23-2011, 01:26 AM

They bang around like crazy

Txjake · #5 01-23-2011, 01:27 AM

ag store would be better

layback40 · #6 01-23-2011, 02:42 AM

Dont know why some one would want one of them on a small trailer. At a pinch to get it home you could remove one of the balls from your hitches (I assume the balls are not welded on) & put a D shackle bolt through the the 2 holes. I have done it a couple of times when we have got caught & needed to move this type of trailer. If you do it, keep your speed right down !!

KarTek · #7 01-23-2011, 07:57 AM

If you don't want to change the hitch on the trailer you can use one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Reese-Towpower-7024300-Receiver-Pintle/dp/B001IH6WJW

SwampYankee · #8 01-23-2011, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by layback40

Dont know why some one would want one of them on a small trailer.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that the price on the trailer is right.

Hatterasguy · #9 01-23-2011, 10:38 AM

Its a pintle hitch, kind of unusual on a small trailer but you see them now and again.

Its a far better hitch than a ball.

Txjake · #10 01-23-2011, 01:51 PM

military and ag has used the pintle and loop on all sorts of trailers, big and small. Army had 1/4 through 11/2 ton trailers like this. It is a better hitch when the terrain is rough and it is much easier to hook one up.

panZZer · #11 01-23-2011, 05:24 PM

No body yet???
Best advise -- what ever hitch also use SAFETY CHAINS!!!!!!!!

rscurtis · #12 01-23-2011, 05:29 PM

When I had my rental business, the pintle hitch was the first choice. Even the most mechanically challenged person can see that it's closed and locked. I've seen a lot of 2-5/16 couplers on 2" balls, closed couplers sitting on top of balls, and open couplers simply secured by tongue weight alone.

As others have said, it can be a little noisy and is not as good for tight manuevering as a ball, but that's where its disadvantages end.

strelnik · #13 01-23-2011, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampYankee

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that the price on the trailer is right.

150 bucks for a 1500lb capacity trailer with new springs and new tires.

strelnik · #14 01-23-2011, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarTek

If you don't want to change the hitch on the trailer you can use one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Reese-Towpower-7024300-Receiver-Pintle/dp/B001IH6WJW

I plan on using one of those plus the plate that allows me to pull the trailer while keeping it more parallel to the ground.

mgburg · #15 01-23-2011, 08:48 PM

DO NOT MIX BALL/PINTLES TOGETHER!!!

I came upon a car-wreck where all that was seen (this is at 9PM) was a FABCO pintle-looped transport-style trailer on the shoulder of the NB lane and the vehicle that it hit sitting sideways in the ditch on the SB side of the roadway.

A baby boy was securely strapped in his carseat in the middle of the back seat, mom was pinned under the steering-wheel in the front seat and dad had a fractured nose and broken arm (R if I remember correctly). Fortunately, everyone survived...but the screaming is what sticks in your mind...long after everyone has left...

And we also found the "ball" that the suspect towing vehicle had been using...snapped clean off its post.

The trailer had a few busted load-chains on it...like something broke loose, but after spending 2 hours looking for it AFTER we got the family out of the car and on the way to the hospital, we still couldn't find whatever was on the trailer. However, the next morning, it showed up...about 400' from where the trailer was...it was a combo mini-Back-hoe/plow unit...it apparently broke loose during the impact with the car and cartwheeled through the field and missed the corner of the house that was just north of the impact scene and it ended up falling over when it lost momentum and fell over laid down right behind the garage.

The end of the story?

Dumbass drunken partner of the FABCO outlet decided that he'd "borrow" one of his items from the yards for some housework the next day...so when he left the bar (and his brains behind), he figured there was enough tongue-weigh to hold the pintle-loop down onto the ball of the hitch on his van. And he didn't remember the chains things either.

Combine the alcohol, no chains, improper attachment to tow-vehicle, a bumpy country road and you get...

* - Insurance Company that is suing the Dumbass for any assests he'll ever have for the rest of his life.
* - Fleeing the scene of an accident w/injuries...major jail-time.
* - Alcohol involved in an accident w/injuries...part of the major jail-time.
* - Loss of business...Partner knew about buddy's drinking issues, had business contract written up to protect himself from idiot's drinking issues...smartest thing he ever did...
* - Divorce. The wife said "Last straw!" and took everything the Insurance Company hadn't gotten ahold of...

Mr. Potter, ( in "It's A Wonderful Life" ) had more friends than this guy ever will...once he gets out.

"Pintle" properly or don't "Pintle" at all!!!