Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I kept looking at that funny coupler on my HF and finally took it off and put this one from Tractor Supply on instead. I'm already happier. I'll probably replace those 8mm/3/8" bolts with 7/16 or 1/2" and nylock nuts just to easy my mind while towing.

[url="http://www.hunt101.com/?p=269659&c=500&z=1"][/url]

[url="http://www.hunt101.com/?p=269660&c=500&z=1"][/url]

Geron, I couldn't stand that HF hitch either so I had a friend weld a new one up for me. I didn't know Tractor Supply had those or I would have gone that route and travel the road less hassled

if someone is interested, pics of the new hitch are on my WWW link below...

btw, I think I bought the same marine battery as you - the largest one at WalMart

exminnesotaboy wrote:Geron, I couldn't stand that HF hitch either so I had a friend weld a new one up for me. I didn't know Tractor Supply had those or I would have gone that route and travel the road less hassled

if someone is interested, pics of the new hitch are on my WWW link below...

btw, I think I bought the same marine battery as you - the largest one at WalMart

It wasn't an exact fit - the angle of attack was slightly different. It'll work. I do like your solution. It's very neat and well thought out.

Yep, biggest one Wally World had. I've had that battery for about 2 years now and still takes a good charge. The battery that came with my Aliner was a peice of junk- but. . . it's still taking a charge. I just have to remember to cut it off from the inverter to avoid trickle charging.

I'm really wanting to get this TD finished. Now that Easter is behind me maybe I can.

thanks, I am glad how it turned out as well. it is great to hear you are having good luck with that battery - I considered buying an Optima, but for only 55$ at WMart, I couldn't pass it up at the time.

your tear is coming along great. It is funny how several of the Cubby's look almost identical in the construction stages. Of course, we know the differences, but if someone just came by and viewed them for the first time, they could get confused

Geron, That looks good! I did a quick search of the Tractor Supply website and didn't find it. Can you tell me a part number? Thanks, George.

Georgeandpat wrote:Geron, That looks good! I did a quick search of the Tractor Supply website and didn't find it. Can you tell me a part number? Thanks, George.

http://www.shelbyindustries.com/trailer.html

It's the Shelby 5101 Coupler - This is not Tractor Supply but I spray painted over the part # after drilling the holes. That's one thing I liked about this one - no predrilled holes that way I could match the holes in the tongue.

I also think i'll like the idea of a centered tongue jack

Geron, Thanks for the information. This seems like the way to go. George.

Has anyone actually had a mechanical problem with that HF coupler? I don't much like the way it looks either but have decided to give it a chance, if it functions okay I'll probably just keep it. Sometimes I go with the "If it works, don't fix it" theory.......

Larwyn wrote:Has anyone actually had a mechanical problem with that HF coupler? I don't much like the way it looks either but have decided to give it a chance, if it functions okay I'll probably just keep it. Sometimes I go with the "If it works, don't fix it" theory.......

I can't comment cause I never tried it. I tried rotating the handle a time or two and with carpel tunnel syndrome IT HURT. Maybe just old age and orneriness but I felt I needed something I could KICK shut. I would think it proven safe or HF would be open to some serious litigation.

Geron wrote:I can't comment cause I never tried it. I tried rotating the handle a time or two and with carpel tunnel syndrome IT HURT. Maybe just old age and orneriness but I felt I needed something I could KICK shut. I would think it proven safe or HF would be open to some serious litigation.

I can understand that, if that thing causes me pain you can bet I will replace mine too.

Larwyn wrote:Has anyone actually had a mechanical problem with that HF coupler? I don't much like the way it looks either but have decided to give it a chance, if it functions okay I'll probably just keep it. Sometimes I go with the "If it works, don't fix it" theory.......

tried to turn it once and that was enough - tough, but not impossible. Then I thought about having to do it in the rain and that made my decision. Plus it doesn't allow for a traditional pin lock.

if you end up liking it, i will mail you mine for the shipping charges. I think it weighs about 492 pounds

I think someone posted a while back that it tightens OK but it is a bear to undo.

We used to use them on some of our trailers, they work fine and tighten easy enough, but getting them undone can be really tough. I used to advise people to carry a short length of 1/2" water pipe to get them loose.

Geron,
Thanks for sharing the info on that coupler. I didn't realize they made such a thing. Great idea and we may get one in the future. Maybe we could both bolt it down and touch it up with a weld or two.

I couldn't get the original coupler loose once in place. Bob ground down the original one enough to bolt a regular one over the top of it.

Your way looks much nicer.

Bev

beverlyt wrote:Geron,
Bob ground down the original one enough to bolt a regular one over the top of it.

Your way looks much nicer.

Bev

Gee, that never occurred to me. That would work fine and use all three of the holes on both sides.

There's a couple spots across the top back where it could be welded. May do that to mine rather than drill another hole in the tongue.