Tongue coupler thingie

[InsideOut]

Does anybody know if "they" make a re-build kit for this kind of coupler on the tongue of our '56 Safari? It seems to work fine, but we want to make sure by replacing any age-fatigued parts anyway. Is this something we can do ourselves or have to take to a hitch shop to be done? We didn't have to do this on Maxwell - and it's different looking anyways.

We are getting ready to call out a welder for the back cross member on our frame and thought if they don't make a rebuild kit for the latching part, we may have to weld on an entire new ball coupler thingie...and would want to do it at the same time.

Shari

[CombatMedic]

we ended up needing an entire new coupler for our 56 caravanner. I think Soldiermedic my husband would know more about that why dont you PM him he might be able to give you some advice.

[Condoluminum]

Shari-

The couplers I've seen have been replacement units welded onto frame rails.. PO for our trailer backed up a little aggressively and wrecked the coupler, and had a different model ("Bulldog") welded onto frame rails by good welder/hitch shop... A little silver paint and all was OK...

John

[ScottW]

I've personally never seen a 're-build kit' for a coupler. I think you'll have to remove and replace the coupler. The Jack looks like it can be un-bolted and replace on the new unit. The old coupler will have to be cut off and the new one welded in place. Anyone else have more and better advice...please chime in. I'm not an expert.

[InsideOut]

Thanks guys and gals!

The jack is one we got as a temporary "immediate need" as the one that came with didn't work, it was stripped. So I know it is just bolted on and could be changed easily. The part I am wondering about is the moving latch part...anybody replaced or re-built that without replacing the whole thing? I thought I remembered reading about that one time...or maybe it was talking to someone, but of course, now that I need the info I can't recall the specifics. Any other thoughts ~

Shari

[ckeysor]

I actually had the whole coupler cut off and re-attached. I bought the coupler from an Airstream Dealer (Out of doors mart-$85) and then had it welded by an old airstream dealer (three way campers-$150). I went with the better safe than sorry route.

Prior to fixing the whole thing, I purchased just the coupler lock mechanism from Inland RV. You might want to give them a call.

[Condoluminum]

SHari-

If structure of coupler shell is good, and you just want to repair the moving parts, you can get repair kits for the coupler, depending on manufacturer...

See examples at: Trailer Parts Superstore - FULTON Coupler Repair Kit, H.D. 2" FAS-LOK

I can't tell from your picture who made that one, or if they're still in business.. Doing Google search for coupler repair kits, I found parts for Fulton, Dico, Shelby, Bulldog and Franklin couplers pretty quickly... Maybe A/S in Jackson Ctr or manual could tell you who manufacturer was...

John

[ScottW]

John,
Thanks from all of us. I've never seen those kits before. Now I'm a LOT smarter...could have saved me a lot in the past.....oh well. Live and learn. I love this forum!!

[thecatsandi]

A rebuilt kit does exist for the newer latches. I ordered one from AS of Spokane when I had my accident. Give them a call.

[Ganglin]

The kits are available from Airstream - just talked to them about this last week. They are also available at many trailer dealers and repair facilities - as well as RV parts places.

[john hd]

shari

just replace the entire coupler assembly since you have your welder coming anyway.

then you can upgrade to a 2 5/16" ball.

john

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by john hd

shari

just replace the entire coupler assembly since you have your welder coming anyway.

then you can upgrade to a 2 5/16" ball.

john

John,

Yeahbut, if Maxwell has a 2" coupler, staying with 2" makes life so much easier. That is why I changed the Liner to 2 5/16" to match my Safari.

Bill

[InsideOut]

You're right Bill, both Maxwell & Birdy have the same size balls so we want to keep them that way. Although, we do have different size balls that we can use on our little hitch (maybe the big one too???). We have two hitches...one is a little one we just use for moving things around the yard - just a ball on a post and then the big one we use with the distribution and anti-sway bars when we go on trips...make sense? We are getting way out of my comfort zone with technical hitch-stuff - I know how to hook-up and check everything, but I don't know what all the technical stuff is, sizes or what it's all rated. Mr.InsideOut does, he just asked me to post the question...

Ask me about "Inside" stuff & I can probably go on all day...but the technical "Outside" stuff is his domain - thus InsideOut (which was our architecture/interior design business name when we were self-employed) it relates to Airstreams too.

Thanks for all the input...I will pass it along to him - he just lurks, doesn't post much!

Shari

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by InsideOut

You're right Bill, both Maxwell & Birdy have the same size balls so we want to keep them that way. Although, we do have different size balls that we can use on our little hitch (maybe the big one too???). We have two hitches...one is a little one we just use for moving things around the yard - just a ball on a post and then the big one we use with the distribution and anti-sway bars when we go on trips...make sense? We are getting way out of my comfort zone with technical hitch-stuff - I know how to hook-up and check everything, but I don't know what all the technical stuff is, sizes or what it's all rated. Mr.InsideOut does, he just asked me to post the question...

Ask me about "Inside" stuff & I can probably go on all day...but the technical "Outside" stuff is his domain - thus InsideOut (which was our architecture/interior design business name when we were self-employed) it relates to Airstreams too.

Thanks for all the input...I will pass it along to him - he just lurks, doesn't post much!

Shari

Shari,

I have similiar issues also, I use a ball on a straight ball mount on the PowerWagon to move either trailer for a short distance and need to use the weight distributing hitch on the Lincoln for long trips. Easy to change a ball on the straight mount but a pain on the weight distributing hitch, therefore keep both of them the same.

Bill

[azflycaster]

This is what Inland has for a repair kit 2"

[john hd]

shari,

if you upgrade both trailers to 2 and 5/16 you can always get someone to come get you if your tow vehicle breaks down. remember the blue list?

if you are traveling in a group you can drop a trailer off then go get the disabled one off the freeway. makes it much easier on the tow truck guy.

also, all of my trailers and tow vehicles have the same ball and 7 pin plugs! oddly enough, so do my friends trailers and trucks.

leaves lots of options when you are on the road!

john

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by john hd

shari,

if you upgrade both trailers to 2 and 5/16 you can always get someone to come get you if your tow vehicle breaks down. remember the blue list?

if you are traveling in a group you can drop a trailer off then go get the disabled one off the freeway. makes it much easier on the tow truck guy.

also, all of my trailers and tow vehicles have the same ball and 7 pin plugs! oddly enough, so do my friends trailers and trucks.

leaves lots of options when you are on the road!

john

Yeahbut, when you travel with vintage folks and have a 2" ball, you already match them, you won't with a 2 5/16".

Trying to stick up for you, madam president.

Bill

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

Yeahbut, when you travel with vintage folks and have a 2" ball, you already match them, you won't with a 2 5/16".

Atta boy Bill! That was exactly what I was thinking...sorry John!

Shari
check's in the mail Bill!

[TomW]

Originally Posted by www. convert-a-ball .com website

CONVERT-A-BALL® Hitch System Products are your answer to multi-need trailer connections. No more wrenches, no more busted knuckles. Three interchangeable balls (1 7/8", 2" and 2 5/16") fit on the 1" shank. The 1 7/8" and 2" balls work great on the 3/4" shank.

John - I've got you covered if you need help in AL.

Tom

[overlander63]

Tom, I have seen and handled those, they seem pretty well made, though I've never used one. Does anybody here use one of those setups on thheir stuff?