John Allsop has been designing & testing
his Hitch Ezy off road trailer coupling for the last couple of years.
Tests were performed by Melbourne Testing Services so the coupling is
now ADR 62/02 compliant and rated to tow 5 tonnes behind vehicles
weighing up to 4.5 tonnes. Articulation is 90 degrees up and down and
360 degrees rotation.
An automatic double locking mechanism makes the hooking up process a one
finger job which also incorporates an “arthritis aid”. The unique “key”
allows both hands to be free to operate the jockey wheel while
uncoupling.
The symmetry of the rotating unlocking “lid” makes operation equally
easy from any position. The coupling has no separate parts to be lost,
pilfered or broken. The low height of 117mm permits 4WD rear door
opening when the coupling is connected. A big plus is the locking
mechanism that can be padlocked and the vehicle driven with the padlock
in place.
While urethane bushes in the main shaft provide rattle free operation,
the O-ring seals make short work of dust and water. Grease nipple
positions avoid personal injury, grease on clothing and damage from
flying stones.
The Hitch-Ezy can be released under any loading. Naturally great care
has to be exercised when there is no option but to disconnect while the
coupling is under load.
Compatible with level-ride torsion bar systems, adapters are available
to ensure a full range of articulation remains possible when coupling to
a level-ride towing tongue that has “wings”. NB. level-ride torsion bars
can cause vehicle and/or trailer damage if used in off-road conditions.
Take them off before tackling significant contour changes.
The Hitch-Ezy is priced at
$795.
More information can be seen at
http://www.hitch-ezy.com.au/