Pintle Hitch
 

Just purchased a 1985 357 SR1. I have to pick it up about 8 hours away and want to get a pintle hitch for a little security. The highest rated I have found locally is 9000lbs with a ball, or 12000lbs with a loop. Formula list the boat as 8950lbs plus the aluminum tripple axle trailer. Will this pintle work? I want to be covered by insurance.

Thanks

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

My 2 5/16 ball is rated to 30,000lbs....Made by "Buyers"...shop local Trailer shops for them.I hate Pintles

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

Pintles bang around a bit but are substantially more reliable in the event of a mishap. That's why you don't see commercial trailers being pulled by balls. Everything from a 10K equipment trailer to tandem and triple tractor-trailer setups use them. You'll have no problem with the setup you describe.

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

Prater,
Are you going to have to swap out the coupler on the trailer too? Seems like a lot of work, and as everyone said, a pintle is going to allow your trailer to jump all over the place, which is not the healthiest for the boat, specifically the bow eye and transom tie down eyes.

My 37' Active Thunder was dragged all over the country behind an F-250 and an F-350 with a 2 & 5/16 ball and a Dico Model 20 coupler with no issues. I dragged it all over with a 2500 Avalanche and also had no issues.

You might want to look into this product:
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...d.php?t=127187

Don't take offense, but are you trying to make up for too less of a tow vehicle? You should be able to find a heavier duty ball from at least 16,000 lbs. up to 30,000 lbs. If you are set on buying local, check out the RV shops and utility trailer sales places.

If you check this thread, you will see exactly where I bought my setup:
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...vy+hitch+balls

This site has 14,000 and 30,000 lbs. rated balls:
http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/me...gory_Code=B114

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

Guys, I tow with a 3500 D-Max. I want the security of a pintle with a ball. It just locks the trailer on the ball. it is 2 5/16 ball. I will not have to change anything on the trailer. My reciever is 12000lb rated. I can get a 12000lb rated slider and a 30000lb ball but that still relies on the trailer to stay on the ball. I have no problem towing a smaller boat with just a reciever and ball, but with the way the insurance companies are getting I want to be covered if there is an accident.

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

So let me get this straight. You want to hook a ball/pintle converter to your boat trailer, then hook that to a pintle in the receiver of your truck?

Do you have any pics of this thing? I'd like to check it out.

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

This is what I use.

From Northern Tool

Another one

http://www.northerntool.com/images/p.../129212_lg.jpg

http://www.northerntool.com/images/p.../128304_lg.jpg

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

looks like I have found my new hitch, but have you had any problems with it hitting the top of the trailer coupler????

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

The top one is the one I am refering to. It uses grade 8 bolts for fastening to the reciever tube. The tube also has to be rated for the proper weight. Most recievers seem to be rated at 6000lbs.

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

hey Prater check w/ Weaver Distributing. 800-932-8373. They have some heavier rated stuff! Good luck

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

Can you bring the pintle down over the top of the trailer coupler and latch it? Doesn't it run the risk of damaging the trailer coupler lock mechanism if you go through a dip in the road or while transversing to a parking lot?

I had the same thought, and would not mind something like the pintle, but it does not look like it will come down far enough to latch when a trailer coupler is on the ball.

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

Prater call precision trailer in Purcell OK ask for clay the owner tell him john told you to call, he will get what it is your looking for.

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

Just ordered one I will let everyone know how it works out,,,,,BZ

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

That's a combo hitch. It's for pulling with a ball or a pintle without changing the drawbar. It won't do any more for you than one or the other.

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

What he said :D Actually when towing as a pintle they have alot of play because the ball ruins the smooth circle that a straight pintle hook has.

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

They did not have what i was looing for. I did find what i needed at J&J Trailer. It was the same price as Northern Tools once I aded the shipping. the one I purchased will lock closed for a pintle, or it will lock opened enough to clear the ball hitch on the trailer but not let the trailer come off the ball in case the trailer lock mechanism comes loose.

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

they work great....sometimes you have to grind the lock mechanism down in order for it to be able to close but stay up a bit due to the space of the trailer hitch....no biggie............And even if you were to use a pintle hitch ...your trailer would not be bouncing all over the place....you of course must be towing with a lack of tounge weight if this were to happen....oh I forgot....that is what you do around here....cause the trucks can't handle the load......opps I forgot....so now that we put too much weight on your piece of crap truck with single rear wheel and no leafs....you can always take care of that sag with the weight distribution hitch assembly.....the best cover up for lack of truck in history of oso....good job boys....i love to see the bs that flows on this screen.... :D

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

Yea.....You are right Byrdman...Pintles dont slam when you hit the brakes & the trailer moves forward. Nor do they slam over big humps in the road... :rolleyes:

All these years towing my car trailer with WD set-up. Wish you had told me sooner I need a KW or Pete to tow 6000lbs...... :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

I use the one on the top picture on my piece of crap under-rated truck :D when I tow my overweight boat/trailer. Works great!!!!! :evilb: :evilb:

By the way, it's rated for 16,000 lbs.

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

I am a little confused Byrdman, are you saying that it is good, or are you being sarcastic that my 3500 D-Max Dually does not have the rating I need to pull the boat?

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

Craig, can you bring the pintle cover down and latch it down??

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

Yes, I can. But I never do. You know me...I like living on the edge!!! :D :evilb: :D :evilb:

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

Here's the option we use.

The pic on the left is the Pintle option by B&W. Clamps down on the trailer just like the thread starter is looking for.

Buck

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

WARNING! Latch pintle hook and install lock pin before towing equipment.

I don`t know how many stencils I cut and wore out applying that to Air Force equipment.

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

The Hammerlock combo hitch is extremely popular with our customers. Not to bad, 170ish bucks AIR. if you dont need to lower or raise it. On a dually, you may need some drop. In that case we also handle Putnam combo histhes and reciever plugs with multiple holes to vary the height of the pintle assembly...

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

well...you have too much play in the pintle....I never told you anything .....if your pintles are slamming around something is wrong with your load.....yes every now and then you will get a slam....but not much....they also have smaller pintle eyes ,mouth....and bigger pintle for trucks...hence my speech again, for you reets that basically are clueless on towing anything....I mean come on....your just finding out about most of this stuff now...i am watching it....lay down....you guys are 15 years behind!!! :evilb:

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

Byrd,

I too was wondering why some were thinking this is some sort of new technology. Been using them since I was old enough to walk.

Buck

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

Pintles ?.....Older than I am by far. But i have no idea why anyone would want to use one to tow a boat. I have a 30k rated ball, I think even Byrdman will allow that ?

As to WD bars...There is a reason every car trailer/travel trailer uses them.....Just slamming everybody that uses them for no reason just shows you dont understand the benefits offered by this set-up.

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

the pintles was just a question...nobody is saying to run pintles......but there is a real nice one that is super tight ...there are some 47 apache guys towing with them...but what do they know....they are only good for large loades on back bumper style.....and the WD hitch...well they are good ....like has been stated by me prior once.....the problem is.....people are towing real big boats....like 42 and greater boats with single wheel vehicles....and they are using the wd hitch to help over come issues that should never exist in the first place!!!!....The wd hitch should NOT be used as a problem solver....

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

I bought the hitch from the 1st page because I liked the looks I have a 2001 F-350 crew cab dually with an 8ft bed that I use to tow a 35ft Fountain. I am a big fan of having more truck that than the boat needs...just my .02.....BZ

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

I have a pintle on mine for no other reason is that I rarely if ever see a ball hitch on a commercial vehicle. I may be completely wrong and I have no facts to back any of it up but I have to assume that folks who know way more than I decided to go this direction for a reason.

As far as having a 30K rated ball, do you have a 30K rated receiver on the trailer? I've never seen one that big but I can only assume if they make a ball that heavy, they'd make a receiver to match. Most of the receivers are stampings and I've never seen one that looked like what I'd call bulletproof. That big, forged pintle ring just seems indestructable.

If nothing else, it makes me feel better.

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

Sorry Guys did not mean to start a debate on this topic again. I am making sure that my insurance company cannot refuse my claim if something happens because I did not have the proper rated tow ball. I have never lost a trailer, but almost did due to the ball not being torqued on the reciever tube properly by the previous owner. I will never let anybody just hand me a slider with ball again without putting some of my own torque on it. Glad I checked the boat when something did not feel rite at a stop sign. I have also seen a few trailers that had poor maintenance on the tongue that lost the locking mechanism somehow jump off the ball and break the chains. I know I am going to have more than what I need. I am just a little anal about making sure I limit problems while traveling. Here is the hitch I purchased with two differnet lock positions.

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

You bring up a good point on safety chains. There are a number of different grades and I've seen them all on trailers. The most common, hardware-store chain is Grade 30. This grade is good for keeping a large dog from wandering off but not much more. It is mild steel and it is almost always chrome plated. Grade 43 is usually black oxide coated and is a carbon steel. Grade 70 is alloy steel and usually gold in color. This is also commonly known as "transport" chain as it's DOT rated for load binders on commercial transport trailers. This is the minimum I would ever use as a safety chain. Grade 80 is rated for overhead lifting. It is usually custom-assembled and has a certification tag attached. This is "save your life" chain. Most load rated and all high-test chain is marked on each link with its grade. If your safety chains aren't marked, they're probably not up to the job. It's also important how your safety chain is retained to the trailer. I've seen alloy chain bolted to the bottom of a trailer tongue with a Grade 5 3/8" bolt to retain it. I think the old saying about the weakest link applies pretty well here.

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

Exactly which pintle is that Prater? Thanks!

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

My reciever is solid steel. weighs about 50lbs...I doubt it's rated for 30k but then..I'm nowhere near that weight.
My point {actually a question} was why use a pintle ?
My only experiences with Pintles is large construction trailers & they have all seemed to slam around. I guess there are better "fitting" pintles for what we do that don't bounce.

Byrdman...I completely understand your frustration at some of these threads..There have been some VERY ridiculous trailering questions thrown out there. Just saying..Don't condemn WD set-ups..They tow very nice

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

Sydwayz, Wife is in the truck now and I wont see her for some time. I will try and get the manufacturer of he hitch and post tomorrow.

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

If you have play in a pintle hook to pintle ring/loop it is because they are two different ratings. The loop on a lighter trailer (cement mixer) will fit over a 20 ton hook but the diameter of the steel making the loop does not "fill up" the hook.

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

Having had a vehicle pulled over and rolled by a boat, I wonder myself if something that separated might not be better! In the end, mine did separate after several barrel-rolls. Had it cut loose earlier, I may have only lost the boat. Now, with a medium-duty tow rig, I have less worries. If the same thing were to have happened with this truck, I believe the truck could have controlled the boat/trailer and pulled it back. It's under that extreme situation that I believe the pintle would save me. On an F350, it probably wouldn't matter.

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

Wow !.....Your boat rolling took your truck over with it {several times} ?.....Man, I bet that filled your shorts !!
Thank God that you lived.
this was with a ball ?...I would have thought that would break apart before the truck was rolled.
Stories like that make you think long & hard about what we are doing !

Re: Pintle Hitch
 

Last year a buddy of mine forgot to empty the water bag on his Ski Natique and at about 65mph on the highway the extra weight on the tail of the trailer caused it to start yawing so badly that his F150 could not keep control. The truck and boat went off the highway with the boat swinging around and taking out the bed and driver side cab. He was ok but it totaled the truck, and boat, bending the tongue over 90 degres without coming apart.