Hitch.

G’Day again. Seems I’ve gotten a bit mixed up about who’s where. It seems Cruisemaster (VC) are in Brisbane. Would still like feedback on both hitches. If I decide on the DO 35 v3 I’ll just have to wait till we get back to Brisso.

If your current hitch has 6 bolt holes, you will have to specify 6 holes with the new one (if from VC).

VC changed to 4 holes some time ago.

Not sure about Hitch Ezy.

Thanks Stephen. All the photos I’ve seen of the lastest V3 model it doesn’t appear that they could put another two holes in it without having a different style body. Will give them a call tomorrow to find out. Do you have the VC DO 35 V3 ? If so, how do you find it with dust etc ? That is probably my biggest concern with both hitches I’ve mentioned, DUST. In 15 years, and many tracks, my old old hitch has never had a problem in that department.

Thanks Stephen. I don’t particularly want one with 6 holes as no doubt they’ve been well tested with four. I was concerned about having two “empty” holes, but after speaking to my brother in-law who’s an aircraft engineer, I’m no longer concerned about that even though I have read on another Bushtracker site a recommendation by “ someone “ that the holes should be filled in, and need to be done “properly”.
Mate have you had any problems with dust jamming up your V2 model ?
Once again, thanks for your reply’s.

haven't had anything to do with VC but have had the hitch ezy for 6 years,done gibb river rd,all west coast,plenty more rough dirt tracks with not a single problem,also very easy to operate,don't need the wife to help hitch or unhitch,a marriage safer.
musky

I went from a Hyland hitch which BTi did not recommend but because I had the same hitch on a previous van I was adamant it’s what I wanted.

All went well for 8-9 years until I broke it being heavy handed, I too was undecided as to what to replace it with as Hyland were no longer in business, in the end I chose the Hitch EZY and I’ve been very happy with it. Plenty of dust encountered but nothing has been affected.

I grease the grease nipples regularly but I’m guessing the main body of the hitch is a sealed unit as there is no grease nipples on it.

If your using a HR weight distribution hitch you can specify the larger size pin because there is a spacer in the HR bar that can be knocked out.

I strongly suggest you take the time to contact John Allsop, Hitch Ezy inventor and sponsor of the BOG, and speak to him about his hitch. His contact details can be obtained on this site at the foot of the Home Page.

John is a genuinely nice bloke who will spend the time to answer your questions as well as inform about aspects of his design that you may not be aware of.

I have a Hitch Ezy that I am extremely happy with; particularly when compared to the old DO35 it replaced. I wouldn’t have anything else.

Sure it costs more than other options but there is usually a reason for this. Aspects such as ease of use, quality of design and manufacture, performance and capacity are considerations that companies like Bushtracker and Lovells adopt the hitch as their recommended option.

Our van came with a DO35 and was upgraded to a Hitch ezy when we had the 4ton upgrade done.
Love the Hitch ezy in comparison to the DO35
I find it more “self aligning”, almost like a 50mm ball to hook up.
Don’t have to be so “spot on” as you do with the DO35.
Cheers
Gordo

G’Day Gordo, Thanks for your reply. Although a bit baffled by it. I opted for the DO 35 over the Hitch Ezy in the end. I must admit that the price had a bearing on it. Half the price, but also I rang and spoke to John and took what he had to say onboard. But when he said that his was the only company in Australia who had done all the necessary testing to be be compliant with Australian Standards........ well he sort of lost me. Cruisemaster would not be allowed to sell their hitches if they were not compliant. But just the same I asked to see their product cerfication certificate for the DO35 V3 which is the current model. I’ve now been using my new hitch for a couple of weeks, hooking up and unhooking maybe ten times and have found it perfect at any angle. A lot different to the old AT 35 with the pin system that I’ve been using for the last 15 years which was made by Vehicle Components ( now Cruisemaster). Are you sure that the AT 35 wasn’t the one that you replaced ? Both the Hitch EZY and the DO 35 work on the same principle, a bit like a tow ball only different.