Report on DO35 hitch
Submitted: Saturday, Aug 14, 2010 at 23:08
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Flipp'n Lorry
We have now travelled 7,000km since switching from the AT35 to the DO35 hitch. About 1,000km of that was dirt (eg Kennedy Development Rd).
My observations:
- So simple to hitch and unhitch, even on uneven or sloping sites. Could never go back to AT35 in comparison.
- I was cleaning and re-greasing the hitch every 4-5 days on bitumen, and every 1-2 days on dirt. During dirt runs, there was some noticeable 'scoring' of both the van and car hitch components from abrasive dust. Not significant, but noticeable nonetheless, this may possibly affect the total service life
Overall though, a great hitch which has removed the hassles of "jamming" which were often experienced with the AT35.
Phil
Reply By: MEL and TOBY - Sunday, Aug 15, 2010 at 03:08
Sunday, Aug 15, 2010 at 03:08
Agree Phil,
Cheryl and I have done 19,000 ks with ours and unhitched many times - never with a problem. We did 000s on dirt, including GRR.
We both said what a pain it would have been with an AT35 in comparison.
We did prove how ineffective the Bushtrackers handbrake is one day on a slight downgrade when the van rolled back a couple of metres as we wound it up off the "ball" - now we always chock the wheels before we unhitch.
We too have slight abrasion marks - but not serious. We do not have a dust cover for the "ball" when unhitched and I was therefore removing the tongue when we were heading off on dirt with the van eg the Bungle Bungle. I believe there is a dust cover available - worth getting!
We had quite a bit of "jamming" with our self levlling suspension with the AT35 - no issues at all now.
Ian and Cheryl
AnswerID:
580992
Reply By: CD & JW - Sunday, Aug 15, 2010 at 06:50
Sunday, Aug 15, 2010 at 06:50
Do a search for "New hitch DO35" in the members area.
There is a bit of info there regarding the scoring.
AnswerID:
580993
Reply By: Sawtybt - Sunday, Aug 15, 2010 at 21:59
Sunday, Aug 15, 2010 at 21:59
I'm thinking of replacing my AT35 with the new hitch. What type of lube are people using.
Regards
Ross
AnswerID:
580994
Reply By: Gone Bush - Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 00:30
Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 00:30
I posted thos first photos showing the scoring. VC replaced the pin and since then, and using grease as per instructions, there hasn't been anymore problems.
very happy with it. It's easy to hitch up by myself if need be.
It comes with a white grease but I just use a smear of regular grease. Clean it often and refresh the grease.
AnswerID:
580995
Follow Up By: Flipp'n Lorry - Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 02:00
Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 02:00
Hey Gone Bush,
I never received any instructions. Do you think you could do us all a favour and post details here please?
Phil
FollowupID:
852793
Follow Up By: Gone Bush - Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 03:36
Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 03:36
Sure....
1. Dip index finger in grease
2. Smear grease on DO35 pin.
3. Clean finger
FollowupID:
852794
Follow Up By: Gone Bush - Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 03:47
Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 03:47
All the instructions said was a light smear of grease. Do not over grease....
FollowupID:
852795
Reply By: Deleted User - Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 01:31
Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 01:31
A properly adjusted park brake will work so if it don't work, adjust it.
Chocking before unhitching is always good practice but.....if the rig takes off what to do???????
Pull the breakaway cable and stand back and watch............
Not a bad idea to mentally practice the above............
Sometimes the obvious is not so.
AnswerID:
580996
Reply By: Luvntravln - Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 02:17
Monday, Aug 16, 2010 at 02:17
Hi, do you believe with a rear camera pointing down at the hitch you can hitch alone?
When using the ring and pintle all I do is drive the pintle under the ring; the pintle is clearly visible and then simple drop the ring onto the pintle.
Is it very easy to hit the bottom hole on the DO when backing and simply looking through a rear mounted camera?
Thanks,
AnswerID:
580997
