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Trailer Couplers

round tongue couplerstraight tongue couplerA-frame coupler

A coupler is a mechanism that is bolted or welded onto the end of a trailer tongue. It fits securely over - and pivots on - the tow vehicle hitch ball. When choosing the correct replacement coupler for your application, consider two factors:


  1. What type of trailer tongue do you have? Straight tongue, A-frame or gooseneck
    • Trailer tongue shape determines the type of coupler your trailer requires.
  2. What is the gross trailer weight (weight of fully loaded trailer)?
    • A coupler's capacity must be equal to or greater than the gross trailer weight. Coupler capacities range from 2,000 lbs to 30,000 lbs, depending on style.

A-frame trailer couplerShop for trailer couplers





Coupler Mounting Styles


For Straight Tongues

straight tongue coupler

Straight Channel

  • Designed for trailers with a straight channel tongue or bar
  • Capacities: 2,000 to 21,000 lbs


foldaway coupler

Foldaway

  • Bolts onto straight tongues
  • Saves space by folding the trailer tongue for storage
    • Easily folds by removing pin and clip
  • Available as a kit to convert a straight tongue to folding
  • Capacities: 5,000 lbs to 9,000 lbs


round tongue coupler

Round Tongue

  • Coupler slides into round shank tongues and welds on
  • Spring-loaded collar ensures snug fit
  • Ideal for horse trailers and light generators with round tongues
  • Capacities: 5,000 lbs to 12,500 lbs




For A-Frame Tongues

A-frame Coupler

A-Frame Couplers

  • Attaches to A-shaped trailer tongues
  • Designed for heavy-duty landscape, utility and car hauler trailers
  • Capacities: 5,000 lbs to 21,000 lbs


flat mount coupler

Flat Mount

  • Used as an alternative to tow rings or pintle hooks
  • Mounts on end of trailer tongue
  • Perfect for very heavy trailers towed behind full-size dump trucks
  • Capacities: 14,000 lbs to 25,000 lbs


adjustable tongue coupler

Adjustable Tongue

  • Mounts on trailer tongue with additional bracket
  • Adjusts to match the height of different tow vehicles
  • Excellent for heavy-duty Bobcat trailers and small, earth-moving equipment
  • Capacities: 6,000 lbs to 21,000 lbs


lunette ring

Lunette Ring

  • Creates an attachment point on A-frame trailers
  • Works together with pintle hooks on side of tow vehicle
  • Ideal for tractor, Bobcat and dump trailers
  • Capacities: 12,000 lbs to 45,000 lbs


For Hydraulic Brakes

brake actuator

Brake Actuator

  • A brake actuator is a coupler that also operates hydraulic brakes
  • Excellent for use with marine applications, boat and rental trailers
  • Capacities: 5,000 lbs to 20,000 lbs


For Gooseneck Trailers

gooseneck coupler

Gooseneck Coupler

  • Designed for use with gooseneck trailers
  • Perfect for heavy-duty trailers, multiple-car and Bobcat trailers
  • Capacities: 20,000 lbs to 40,000 lbs




Latching Mechanisms

Couplers grip a hitch ball by means of their latching mechanisms.

trigger latch trigger latch underside

Trigger

  1. Allows fast locking and unlocking
  2. Pull trigger and pull up on latch to unhitch
  3. Adjust locknut beneath coupler for increased tension on hitch ball


thumb latch thumb latch underside

Thumb

  1. Press latch down and back with thumb
  2. Place coupler over ball, push latch down and forward
  3. Rear of latch locks into slot


yoke latch yoke latch underside

Wrap Around Yoke

  1. Lift latch handle and pull backward, raising yoke onto coupler nose to unhitch
  2. To hitch up, place coupler on ball and push latch handle forward until yoke drops over nose
  3. Latch tips secure into slots on coupler top


pin-style fastener pin-style fastener underside

Pin Style Fastener

  1. To open, pull back spring-loaded collar
  2. Position coupler over hitch ball
  3. Close hinged portion of coupler, then release collar to close
  4. Insert pin and retainer or pull back latch on top to secure

A-frame trailer couplerShop for trailer couplers





latch repair kit latch repair kit

Repairing vs. Replacing Couplers

When a coupler latch has become ineffective at gripping the ball, you might consider simply replacing the latch and ball clamp with a coupler repair kit. Check that the inside of the coupler where the ball sits is free of cracks. If your coupler has a lot of corrosion or damage, it may be necessary to replace the coupler.


Master Cylinder replacement actuator shock replacement push rod kit

Repairing vs. Replacing Brake Actuators

Brake actuators serve two functions: pivot on a hitch ball and operate hydraulic brakes. An economical option to replacing the entire brake actuator is to simply replace the worn parts.

We offer replacement:





Accessories

Bump Me Cushion Bump Me installed

Bump Me Trailer Coupler Vehicle Cushion

  • Fits most couplers
  • Slips onto coupler flange
  • Offers a cushion when hitching up to prevent coupler from bumping into vehicle
  • Helpful when trailer is stored in garage
  • Saves shins when you bump into coupler


coupler grip handle grip handle installed

Trailer Coupler Grip Handle

  • Easier way to guide trailer tongue to and from hitch ball than pulling from coupler
    • Bolts onto side of the tongue
  • Ideal for personal watercraft and other lightweight trailers


hinge kit

Fulton Fold-Away Hinge Kit

  • Used with actuators and standard couplers
  • Creates a fold-away tongue up to 36" long for tight storage
  • Available in bolt-on or weld-on
  • Capacities: 3,500 lbs to 7,500 lbs


coupler ball lock coupler latch lock

Coupler Locks

  • Protects your investment by deterring theft
  • Two styles available:
    • Locks your trailer onto the hitch ball
    • Locks your trailer while it is unhitched


hitch aligner

Hitch Aligners

  • Quickly lines up your trailer for hitching up
  • Attaches to bumper and coupler with magnets
  • Rods telescope


Backup camera Backup camera

Backup Cameras

  • Hand-held or dashboard-mounted styles for easy hitching up
  • Also used for safe backing around children and pets
  • Available in different-size monitors and with night vision




Angela B.

1/17/2022

Great job!

Dwight N.

2/16/2021

I am going to buy an A frame Weld on coupler, can you tell what degree the two hitch piece need to be to fit the angle of the coupler. I am assuming the angle is the same on all A frame couplers. Thank you

Etrailer Expert

Jon G.

2/16/2021

The industry standard is 50 degrees. If you check out the Demco A-Frame Trailer Coupler # DM14793-81 you can find some specs on the page and in the video and answer pages to help you out.

Tom M.

8/17/2020

I recently purchased A-Frame Coupler CA-5196-B and earlier today decided to weld it to the tongue of a trailer I am building. I was going to use 3/16"x3"x3" angle however the coupler has a radius in the area where the structual member attaches. The angle has a sharp 90 degree and therefore both legs of the angle will not fit tightly against both legs of the coupler. Have you encountered this before and if so how was it resolved? Squares do not fit rounds!!!!! Do you have fitting and welding info or illustrations available for this.

Etrailer Expert

Jon G.

8/28/2020

Since the design of each trailer can vary there aren't any instructions on how to install this coupler - it's basically a DIY or hire someone to do the job sort of thing. This is the case with pretty much every weld-on trailer coupler out there.

Sarah

7/11/2020

We have been having difficulty when unhitching Rv trailer from truck. When we try and disengage ball from coupler it gets stuck and pops out.

Etrailer Expert

Chris R.

7/16/2020

You'll want to inspect the underside of the coupler and look for any damage. There might also just be some corrosion or debris built up that needs to be cleaned out.


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