Hitches
Submitted: Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 19:45
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Luvntravln
Hi,
Another topic!
As far as I was concerned the AT35 "sucked" and was next to impossible to use. Everything had to be in alignment so perfectly to put in the pin or take out the pin. UGH1
Then came the ring and pintle which we have now and love. So forgiving; I am able to do the whole process alone simply using my rear view camera that points to the hitch and when the pintle is under the ring. Done!
Now there is the new DO35 and 45.
What can you tell me about how you like/dislike the DO? Is the hole that the pin ultimately goes in large enough to give you some play and allow one person hitching?
I can install either the ring/pintle or the DO45 on the new van; just curious about your experiences.
Reply By: SARATON. - Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 20:25
Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 20:25
Hi Luvntravln,
I had an AT35 and found it a pain . MY parking area at home is on a slight uphill angle and it was a bit of a struggle to reverse the vehicle into hitch as I had to line them up pretty close as I couldn't use ratchet on jockey wheel to move it sideways. Then when I tried to put in pin the freeplay of the male part of hitch had to be exact or else pin wouldn't go thru. And getting off was just as bad .Very frustrating. On level ground the process was alot easier but the freeplay had to be exact also.
I now have a DO35 . The hitching up and off in the same scenario is alot easier and only a one person job now . I have made up a T piece with a washer welded on shaft and place this in hole on hitch on trailer and use this as a reference point when reversing. When I get close I remove pin and try and get as close to over the pin on hitch and then drop the van ontop . This is very easy compared to the AT35
For me the DO5 is a winner over the AT35. I use to live with the AT35 and its problems but glad I made the change.
Cheers Peter
AnswerID:
580940
Follow Up By: Noosa Fox - Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 23:25
Saturday, Jul 31, 2010 at 23:25
Jay,
You had better buy some tickets in the new McHitch 6 tonne hitch raffle and then it might be all sorted for you.
The member who has one fitted reports that it is very good.
Brian
FollowupID:
852773
Follow Up By: Luvntravln - Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 01:31
Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 01:31
Brian, I just looked at the McHitch video. You have to get the pin direcly under the hole before dropping the van. Not for me; and, if the hole at the bottom of the DO is similarly small, I will stay with the tried and true ring and pintle.
FollowupID:
852774
Reply By: Grumblebum & Dragon - Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 04:55
Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 04:55
Had a few problems in the first month or two with the At 35... now 5 years full time later its as easy as. Certainly would not spend $$$ changing it over.
John
AnswerID:
580941
Follow Up By:- Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 05:16
Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 05:16
The AT35 is easy peasy if you have a bit of nouse about mechanical dynamics~~~~~~~~
All the other are just fancy variations of the old time 50mm ball.
FollowupID:
852775
Follow Up By: Motherhen & Rooster - Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 09:46
Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 09:46
Hi Jay John & Ern
Changing to the AT 35 was a dream for us. Prior to that, i had to hold the block while my husband backed exactly onto it; and exactly the right distance to the millimetre to put the pin through. With the Patrol he could back onto and hitch with AT 35 by himself, but is still getting used to backing the F250 onto it that accurately. It gives us the articulation we need that a ball type hitch doesn't. The only drawback is if we can't back straight into a site it can be difficult to remove the pin to unhitch as we have a fixed jack not a jockey wheel. We haven't seen the latest hitches.
Motherhen
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FollowupID:
852776
Follow Up By: Willie - Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 21:05
Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 21:05
I love the AT-35 too, but it would be a real bitch to put on and take off on a slope.
Willie.
FollowupID:
852777
Reply By: Deleted User - Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 16:22
Sunday, Aug 01, 2010 at 16:22
Howdy mum.
For hooking up my secret is to use a temporary rear view camera positioned about 600mm above the workings. One man exercise with no awkward moments ensuing.
I like the functionality and design of the AT35. Since the introduction of these new fancy jobs coming onto the market you can pick them up pretty cheap.
AnswerID:
580942
