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HowieE · 02-06-2013, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmand001

link/image of Atwood repair kit. What other part did you mean Howie?
2-5/16" Atwood Coupler Repair Kit | 88061 | Nuera Trailer Parts

The standing fin welded to the top of the coupling has a stop that keeps the pull rod from lifting. That shears off. In order to repair it you would have cut it off and make a new and heavier one. The next point of failure wod most likely be the edge of the pull rod

TG Twinkie · 02-06-2013, 02:02 PM

On the Marvel coupler there is no stop on the standing fin. The lift rod is at least 1/4" in front of the standing fin.
The only thing that keeps the pawl from lifting is the minute amount of pressure of the spring, which does nothing when the ball is in the coupler socket. The fact that the pawl is lower than the largest diameter of the ball is what keeps it from uncoupling. Unless you are using the wrong size ball, or the coupler socket is worn beyond the ability of the new kit. Installing the new kit should help.
The only way I can see the ball dropping out the bottom of the coupler would be if the coupler socket and/or the pawl are worn out. Or that the pawl is missing all together; but that would be very obvious. Unless the pawl gets jammed up in the coupler when hitching. But one should notice that by the fact that the release handle is not resting on it's cam surface and the locking pin holes do not line up properly.
The standing fin on the Marvel coupler only provides a means of locking the handle of the release mechanism to prevent it from flipping open.
The release mechanism handle has a "cam over" function. When the handle is down in the lock position. You must rotate the handle forward to unlatch the pawl. The action of moving the handle forward releases the tension provided by the cam action thus allowing the spring to force the pawl down and out of the way. Providing enough clearance for the ball to be released when the trailer tongue is raised.

HowieE · 02-06-2013, 03:30 PM

I would suggest you take another look.

The pawl is held forward against the lower section of the ball by a wedge shaped piece behind the pawl. Once the tongue is sheared off the standing fin on the coupling the pawl is free to ride up that wedge and thus release the grip on the ball.

This is not a wear situation but rather a failure situation once the lower front edge of the fin is sheared off.

While the coupling is off the ball get down and look into the coupling. While there push up on the pawl and you will see the wedged surface I am referring to.

TG Twinkie · 02-07-2013, 01:24 PM

Perhaps it is because this coupler is rated a 20,000 pounds. I have taken photos as best I could. When I reach up in the coupler behind the socket, I can feel the weld below the fin. There is nothing protruding down from the fin on this coupler.
The pawl is held in a wedge shaped slot. I have circled what I believe to be the "notches" that prevent the pawl from dropping down once it is latched.
One pic shows the ball hanging in the socket. I couldn't hold the ball up like it would be when hitched and get a shot of it. But as is apparent in the pic, there is no way the ball could come out. Unless the pawl was worn severeley or missing completely.

Perhaps others could post pics to make a comparison.

http://s1166.beta.photobucket.com/us...rvel%20Coupler

TG Twinkie · 02-07-2013, 03:15 PM

Here are a couple of pics showing a similar mechanism. Note in the exploded view; the fin does not go below the top plate. The other pic shows the back of the pawl. There is no apparent latch mechanism.
It appears to be a simple wedge that fits in the slot of the coupler socket.

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/...plodedView.png

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/...AtwoodPawl.jpg

HowieE · 02-07-2013, 03:54 PM

Thanks for the pictures but they do not show the area of the problem with the Atwood.

It would be great to see the lower half of the of the drawing to see how that hitch does retard lifting of the pawl but without it is meaningless

TG Twinkie · 02-07-2013, 05:01 PM

Here is a complete sectioned drawing of the coupler. Again. No fin.
My trailer has a Marvel coupler. When the pawl is pulled into position. It slides up a wedged groove built into the coupler socket. The pawl has full back side surface contact with the groove as well as the ball. The latch handle will not go over center to the lock position if the pawl is not seated in the groove.
Not sure how the Atwood version pins the pawl. But this is simply a wedge.

http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/...plodedView.png

kscherzi · 02-07-2013, 05:05 PM

I ordered a hitch from HitchAnything Tuesday night and they got it shipped right away (today is Thursday). I ordered the model 3350. It looks like the hitch is being shipped directly from Andersen. Here's a capture from the UPS tracking screen. Great service!

Ron Gratz · 02-07-2013, 05:25 PM

These two pages

http://www.atwoodmobile.com/manuals/chassis/80658.pdf

show some additional details.

Ron

HowieE · 02-07-2013, 06:00 PM

Thanks Ron for the pictures

Picture 6 shows the fin that fails from contact with the Shoe Lock

Picture 9 shows the incline that the pawl climbs from the rearward force the Andersen puts on the ball

TG Twinkie · 02-07-2013, 07:06 PM

That's the difference between the Atwood and the Marvel. There is no notch on the lift bar. When you look at the photo I took of the latch mechanism, you can see the difference. The fin on the Atwood above the plate is "A" shaped. The fin on the Marvel is back from the lift bar. The lift bar must lock into place by contacting the top plate. I would have to disasseble it to be certain.
All good info.

TG Twinkie · 02-07-2013, 07:38 PM

I went out and looked at the lift bar on the Marvel. Instead of having a "V" shaped notch in the bar, it has the reverse. The lift bar is wider below top plate and can not come up thru the top plate. It's range of travel is limited by the top plate. There is no spring mechanism pushing the lift bar in the horizontal direction. The lift bar for the Atwood coupler would not work for the Marvel coupler.

dmand001 · 02-08-2013, 02:58 AM

Again another great helpful forum info. It's cleared the issue that the Atwood and the Andersen trailer hitch are not compatible, at least be for warned and be diligent on a close eye on your Atwood. Hope other couplers will work but as in anything new time will tell.

TG Twinkie · 02-08-2013, 07:35 AM

Take a look at the photo by AirHeadRus on 2/5/13. The lift rod has no notch or any visible means of preventing the pawl from raising. Any ideas?
HowieE. What is the rating of the Atwood coupler?
The Franklin coupler I have on the utility trailer came off of an old mobile home.
There are literally thousands of these old mobile homes in this area. I will see if I can locate one with a coupler like the Marvel or Franklin. Take the parts off and post pics here.
I really don't want to tear mine apart simply for pics.