RE: Trailer Couplers

[Bob_M]

 
Hi All,
 
 A little off topic:
 
 I am looking to pick up a small utility trailer.  I have seen all types and since I own a Viking PU I have a little experience.  One item I can t quite figure out is the trailer coupler.  My Viking is built on an aframe and thus has an Aframe coupler.  The cheaper trailers have a single support arm with a different style coupler.  Some of these coupler look real flimsy to me.  Are Aframe couplers generally more heavy duty than the others or am I just looking at it differently?  I was trying to find a WEB site that explains the different styles of couplers but could not find anything.
 
 Thanks
 
 Bob

[mike4947]

 stardate10
One reason the utility trailer coupler look flimsier than the one on your PU is the job their designed to do. The class II or III coupler on your PU is designed to hold either 350 or 500 pounds of tongue weight and tow 3500 or 5000 pounds using a 2"  ball.
 Most small utility trailers have a 100  to 200 pound tongue weight and a 1000 to 2000 pound weight limit and more important they use an 1 7/8 diameter ball.
 
 That means getting another drawbar with an 1 7/8 ball or replacing the ball depending on which trailer you tow. There are Multiball drawbars available but most do not include any drop or rise.