Missing the Mark?

[Root Moose]

Does the Bulldog coupler have a similar range of motion side to side?

I could see that being the standard coupler to use outside of any really nutty terrain.

 

[Titanpat57]

WOW!!..thanks everyone for the input...holy cow I'm blown away!

Special thanks ntsqd..that's very big of you to take the time to draw that up, and also wjeeper for the comparison. Although the Bulldog has tons more articulation...I'm still leaning towards the 3 axis, to save you the trouble of saying I told you so ddown the road...:ylsmoke:

I'd really like to drop it down a bit more, hence the xtra frame I drew underneth. The other part of that was hopeing to put the 2 - 6volt batteries towards the front (in the nose area) I really like ntsqd's option, but would pefer about 3" lower. The M116A2 is pretty high...comes stock SOA

That still puts me way above the lowest point of my truck...and the reality is I'm not going to have any serious lift for awhile, so keeping the trailer coupler high as possible is just not as big of deal right at the moment.

Here's a few more pics...one with the truck

Thanks again for all the assistance!!:victory:

 

[HenryJ]

I would not drop the hitch of the trailer. Raise the point of attachment on the tow vehicle. The hitch on the tow vehicle looks to be straight right now. A 3 1/2" or 4" drop, inverted might be just about right.

 

[wjeeper]

Does the Bulldog coupler have a similar range of motion side to side?

I could see that being the standard coupler to use outside of any really nutty terrain.

It has a very similar range of motion side to side.

I don't really see myself dragging my trailer over terrain too nutty so i think this coupler can more than handle my needs. The bulldog couplers are around $70, so I see them as viable option for many trailers. With a bit of grinding to the coupler body I am sure you could improve the range of motion also. (the coupler is rated quite high, so removing a bit on a light trailer probably wouldn't hurt)

I am going to give the hitch a shot......mainly because my buds tell me it just wont work :snorkel:

 

[ntsqd]

You're welcome, but it really doesn't take all that long to whip up something like that in SolidWorks. Were I forced to use Pro-E I'd still be working on it....

I'm with HenryJ on on the slider too. Use one to raise the ball, don't lower the coupler. It's a better tongue design when done that way too (no bending moment introduced to a design not intended to have one there). Then if/when the tow rig is taller the coupler won't be too low.

snip....
I am going to give the hitch a shot......mainly because my buds tell me it just wont work :snorkel:

Ooh-ooh-ooh!!
Yes, please! Do give it a shot.
What's that quote? Something like "Nothing is impossible to someone who doesn't know any better."
:sombrero:

 

[gasman]

WOW!!..thanks everyone for the input...holy cow I'm blown away!

well im not gonna give you any advice cuz you got skills .. im just gonna sit back and watch this come together . and im sure it will be built right..

but i think you're gonna have trouble with your hitch staying on the ball didnt anybody tell you the chrome part goes up ???

 

[wjeeper]

Ooh-ooh-ooh!!
Yes, please! Do give it a shot.
What's that quote? Something like "Nothing is impossible to someone who doesn't know any better."
:sombrero:

Ha ha I like that quote! Why else would i be planning on running fiberglass springs on a trail trailer with a standard ball :sombrero:

I will start a thread in a few weeks when i actually get going on my trailer...........i will stop cluttering up the OP's thread now

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I've been working on a multi-axis coupler design that would be fairly easy to reproduce. I've got a design, I need to build a prototype to see how well it really works. In CAD it looks great and I've not found any gotcha's, but.....
The premise is that any reasonably able home fabricator could make one. I need to test that out when building the prototype.

Shoot it my way, I'm looking to do something soon.

 

[Titanpat57]

well im not gonna give you any advice cuz you got skills .. im just gonna sit back and watch this come together . and im sure it will be built right..

but i think you're gonna have trouble with your hitch staying on the ball didnt anybody tell you the chrome part goes up ???

lolol...Your a riot Norton...

Wait till I fire up that new stick welder...YOU will have the last laugh....:smiley_drive: Can I use caulk where I miss a bead of weld?

Anyway...had a great conversation with a real gentleman today, Chris, the fellow who designed and manufacters the Max Coupler...Thank you Chris for your insight, patience and commitment to a fabulous product..made right here in the good ol' US of A!!

So the Max Coupler it is...hands down!!

Thank you all for the input and help moving forward...much appreciated!

Here's the final tongue detail..(for tonight anyways...lol)