Repair Kit for Atwood Coupler

[CBWELL]

I have a 1994, 34' and need to replace the coupler inner components. I got a repair kit from Atwood, kit #88061, for #88007 and #88010 2 5/16 ball. It does not seem to be the correct kit as I cannot install the retainer and retainer spring in the coupler. Can't find the coupler model number anywhere on the coupler. Any ideas from someone that has done this repair. It seems I have wrong kit, but nobody at any of the local RV places seem able to help. Thank you, Chris

[TG Twinkie]

Are you sure you have an Atwood coupler and not a Marvel? My Argosy has a Marvel (MC 883) coupler. It is stamped just in front of the tongue jack. This coupler does not have the "infamous" shark fin. Therefor it does not use the spring assembly which holds the shark fin engaged.
From what I can determine Atwood acquired Marvel in 1996.
Vintage Trailer Supply has what appears to be the right parts for my particular coupler. Perhaps it will work for you.

[CBWELL]

I think you are right. Went out and looked again at the coupleer and did some more digging on the web and it seems that the correct kit is a #88060, which does not have the retainer and spring, but all other parts are the same . Will install it tomorrow after work and see if things improve. Last time hooking up, when I lifted the unit to hitch up the WD hitch bars, the ball dropped out and the truck dropped. Not a good thing!!! If kit has no improvement, then it is time for a new coupler!!! Thanks, Chris

[TG Twinkie]

Be sure to clean the coupler and check for cracks and excessive internal ware. The pawl would have had to experienced excessive wear to allow the ball to come out.
I will assume you have a 2 5/16" ball on your TV and not a 2".

[CBWELL]

Ball is a 2 5/16" for sure, and the old pawl looks a little worn. Will put things together tomorrow and see what happens. If I'm not happy with the results, then a new coupler will get installed. A lot easier than the 3 axles I did already! Chris

[TG Twinkie]

Take a look at the Bull Dog coupler. They are really robust.

[GMarugg]

I have always liked the bull dog hitch and use them on flat bed and boat trailers. I have always wondered why I have never seen them on RV's. One person told me they thought that it was because the bull dog were more expensive. they sure are easier to use. Anyone know a good reason they are not used on RV's?

[featherbedder]

I had horse trailer w/sliding collar bulldog coupler, never again, as some times difficult to slide collar either to close or open so will stay with snap down type. For any heavy duty type of trailer use pintal if closed won't lose trailer. Had flat bed w/ball jump off with machinery on, next day installed pintal hook, also have several w/screw type coupler to ball.

[JCWDCW]

I had a Boat Trailer that I built from a kit. The coupler on that was so tight just getting it down over the ball was nearly impossible. I called the manufacturer to question whether they sent the correct coupler. They stated that the want the coupler tight on the ball even when open to assure a good hold when the coupler was closed or screwed down; they had previous experience with closed couplers jumping off the ball. So you might want to look at your existing head in this light. Wear on the lip could mean your going to be too loose even with the repair kit.
JCW

[TG Twinkie]

Never had a problem with a Bulldog coupler and I have had many. Slip the collar back, insert the pin raise the tongue.

[featherbedder]

The bull dog coupler that was on horse trailer did not have pin just slid back and forth.

[SpletKay06]

I just ordered a repair kit for my Atwood 88007 coupler. Not because of any issues, but because mines 25 years old and I want to rebuild it. One thing I did notice is that the kit said it was revised. I'm hoping it installs correctly otherwise I'll be replacing my coupler too.

[Captnsteve]

Chris

Wondering how the coupler repair went? I'm thinking about repairing mine as well, a 1989 Limited 34'. No issues yet, but it is almost 30 yrs old.

I looked on Airstream supply, and they only show one kit for all Airstreams with the 2 5/16" ball, and the kit includes two springs. I've not looked up inside my coupler.

Steve

[CBWELL]

Did the job, and left out the extra spring for the "new" style latch. Is a lot tighter now, and the ball dosen't drop out when I lift the hitch to install the hitch bars. I think the PO never heard of grease. I lube my hitch every trip. It is an easy switch out, and took me aboout 10 min. Chris

[themaroon]

I'm probably late to this party, but thought I'd try to help anyone in the future who has this problem.

TLDR: buy the 88061 repair and just ignore the extra pieces. The 88060 repair kit is a flaming turd.

I bought the 88060 coupler repair from Vintage Trailer Supply for my 74 Sovereign. I spent hours trying to get that way-too-tight spring onto the shaft. I finally got it on with some channel locks and graphite lubricant, and then I wished I hadn't. I couldn't compress it enough to get it into the coupler, even with clamps. So I Dremeled a little off the spring because I didn't know what else to do and attached the kit. It took a damn pry bar to pop up the hitch release because that spring is ridiculous, but then it finally compressed and was unusable because I had Dremeled off too much. Doh!

Then I saw this thread and someone pointed out that the parts in the 88061 were the same, but the spring, I could tell from the pictures, was not. The spring on the 88061 looks a lot more like what fell off my old coupler. So I decided to buy the 88061 and try it out. (The 88061 comes with a retainer and spring that the 88060 does not, just ignore it if you don't need it.)

The repair took me 5 minutes, and that was because I stopped to talk to the mailman. That spring is the correct one so it went right on. I can lift the coupler without a pry bar also.

So, do yourself a favor, and just get the 88061 and toss away the retainer and small spring. I can't see a reason to ever buy the 88060.

[Toolmanbt]

Where can you buy the 88061 2 5/16" Marvel / Atwood coupler repair kit ? looking all over the internet without any luck. Guess I may have to replace the the whole hitch if I can't find one. Just in the process of rebuilding and this is on my list of repairs.

Thanks

Brook

[tjpipkens]

hello i am trying to repair this atwood 88007 2 5/16" coupler and cannot find anywhere.
anyone know where i could buy the repair kit 88061, or entire coupler 88007?
thanks

[tjpipkens]

hello,
this post of yours is a couple years old. i have the exact same question/ issue as you did.
any idea where i can find the parts?
did you end up having to replace entire coupler?

[BayouBiker]

Dometic bought Atwood a while ago and early year before last they decided to discontinue the repair components. Then late last year discontinued the entire coupler series. They decided the design was not the best and did not want to continue to support it. The design does not allow for any adjustment for manufacturing tolerances and for wear.

Summary: The repair kits are difficult to find these days. You may have to replace the entire coupler. The new coupler Airstream uses is nice, but you'll have to get a welding shop to install it.

[GCinSC2]

Originally Posted by tjpipkens

hello i am trying to repair this atwood 88007 2 5/16" coupler and cannot find anywhere.
anyone know where i could buy the repair kit 88061, or entire coupler 88007?
thanks

tjpipkens,

Welcome to Airforums.

If you've exausted the usual likely suspects for this kit, you might want to contact https://www.fieldsornamentaliron.com/ Charleston SC or similar trailer repair welding shops rather than the RV type stores.

When I needed welding done they could do it and while I was waiting for whatever I'd peruse the "showroom" loaded with all manor of hitching, towing stuff. Look at the pic on homepage. Give them a call and see if they have on laying around. And as an optional idea ask if they have the entire coupler, exact same model. Then gives you two part numbers and if yours has replaceable parts, then take the parts off of the new donor coupler. Just an idea.

Gary