Trailer purchase
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Trailer purchase
Thinking about buying a used trailer, But it has a pintle eye/ring for a hitch. Never had a trailer with this setup, so I was wondering if it is a safe connection for use on the roads. Seems like there would be quite a bit more play then there is with a regular ball connection.
Any input would be apprecaiated.
Any input would be apprecaiated.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: MA
They are safe.. Probably safer than a regular hitch cause the closed circle gets locked down and holds the trailer in the ring
.
A normal ball hitch can have the trailer come off if you use the wrong size or hit a good bump
They are Mainly used on heavy construction trailers..
This is from Wikipedia..
.
A normal ball hitch can have the trailer come off if you use the wrong size or hit a good bump
They are Mainly used on heavy construction trailers..
This is from Wikipedia..
Lunette ring
A lunette ring is a type of trailer hitch that works in combination with a pintle hook on the tow vehicle. A pintle hook and lunette ring makes a more secure coupling, desirable on rough terrain, compared to ball-type trailer hitches.
A lunette ring is a type of trailer hitch that works in combination with a pintle hook on the tow vehicle. A pintle hook and lunette ring makes a more secure coupling, desirable on rough terrain, compared to ball-type trailer hitches.
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From: MA
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
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That article is a bit misleading. You need safety chains with a pintle hitch.
I will say the only time a trailer has come unhitched on me while driving was when I was in the military. I was driving a deuce and a half with a cargo trailer behind. The trailer was probably not loaded correctly, and the hitch pushed up on the locking mechanism of the pintle so hard it bent the locking pin and released. The safety chains saved some lives that day.
I will say the only time a trailer has come unhitched on me while driving was when I was in the military. I was driving a deuce and a half with a cargo trailer behind. The trailer was probably not loaded correctly, and the hitch pushed up on the locking mechanism of the pintle so hard it bent the locking pin and released. The safety chains saved some lives that day.
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From: MA
You are correct that safety change are needed and should be used for any trailer ball or pintle.. Accidents happen..
I don't thing the article was a complete coverage of trailer hitches.. It just compared the pintle hitch and ball hitch..
You also need good lights, reflective tape strips, brakes and tires for safe operation and don't forget the most important thing..... A safe driver..
I don't thing the article was a complete coverage of trailer hitches.. It just compared the pintle hitch and ball hitch..
You also need good lights, reflective tape strips, brakes and tires for safe operation and don't forget the most important thing..... A safe driver..
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Posting Guru
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You are correct that safety change are needed and should be used for any trailer ball or pintle.. Accidents happen..
I don't thing the article was a complete coverage of trailer hitches.. It just compared the pintle hitch and ball hitch..
You also need good lights, reflective tape strips, brakes and tires for safe operation and don't forget the most important thing..... A safe driver..
I don't thing the article was a complete coverage of trailer hitches.. It just compared the pintle hitch and ball hitch..
You also need good lights, reflective tape strips, brakes and tires for safe operation and don't forget the most important thing..... A safe driver..
Thanks for all the info...
I always drive safe...Never over 90 while I'm towing!!!
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Whittier, CA
I'm curious what kind of trailer you are buying that would have a pintle? Pulling it with your F250?
Pintles are usually found on much heavier trailers than you would typically pull with an F250. They are heavy to work with. There might be an easy way to just convert it to a ball mount.
Pintles are usually found on much heavier trailers than you would typically pull with an F250. They are heavy to work with. There might be an easy way to just convert it to a ball mount.
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Post Fiend
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From: Manchester, CT
I install swimming pools and we use an 04 F550 6.0 dump body and pull a dual axle flatbed trailer with the bobcat on it with a pintle hook setup. When we are loaded with sand it doesnt really push us around too much, but when the truck is empty you definitely feel it bouncing you around back there. Havent had any problems with it though.
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From: northeast ohio
I grew up using skid steer trailers (as we call them around here) on the farm with a pintle hitches. We haven't had a problem with them yet, and this is our second one. As stated before there is a little more slack than a ball, but I wouldn't let it stop you if the trailer fits your needs. My half ton even pulls the trailer pretty good
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Thanks for the replies... The trailer is a relatively small - 16 foot (guess) + dovetail tandem trailer. Don't know why it has the pintle eye setup instead of a regular ball. Don't want to deal with having the eye/loop replaced, that's why I asked the question.
The seller has yet to return my call, so maybe he sold it or just doesn't care about returning calls!!
The seller has yet to return my call, so maybe he sold it or just doesn't care about returning calls!!
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