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Contemplating buying a new Cam Superline 7Cam 18 trailer with a pintle hitch. Can I just install a pintle hook hitch into my 2.5" receiver and be all set? Do I need some weight distribution system? Never towed with a pintle setup before. The trailer weighs 3200 empty and the load will be a 7k tractor.
I don't like pintle hitches on small trailers They can bob and shuck more than a ball will. Should be able to change the head out at same cost That's my thoughts only
You'll see the pintle setup in construction a lot. We used them in the steel as well mostly because they were easy to connected and disconnect. That type of setup seemed to clunk and bang much more than a ball and tongue setup. I think baerpath is right on with his assessment.
If you are going to tow a lot with it, swap to a 2 5/16" coupler on the trailer. You need a 2 5/16 to handle the weight, a 2" ball won't cut it. A ball will be much nicer to tow with as compared to a pintle. But, if you won't use it a lot, & don't want to lay out the $$ for a new coupler, keep the pintle.
Just be sure to get a combo pintle for the truck, one with a pintle & 2 5/16" ball. That way you are covered if you ever decide to change the trailer end, or need to tow something other than your own trailer.
Just get one that fits your receiver & tow. You may want to get an adjustable hitch, in case you need to move the pintle up or down. On my F250 4wd, however, I used one that comes straight out & is not adjustable.
The pintle setup I have plugs into a 2" receiver. It also has a 2 5/16" ball so I can pull either. I went with the combination because I am not into having a one trick pony.
Honestly, swapping couplers would be my first choice. At least with a pintle setup no one can borrow your trailer.
With any amount of weight on a trailer, I really prefer gooseneck.
I don't use a pintle much but I have one for if I borrow a trailer. A friend of mine has a dump trailer and a utility trailer for hauling around his bobcat and construction materials. I believe both are 14k lbers, I towed the dump with my F250 already, he has an F350.(both SRW) We both use a receiver plate like in the link below with the pintle like in the link. No WD setup for either of us. Pretty much nobody in my area uses a WD setup for utility and dump trailers, same with boats. With the pintle you just tend to get a little more clanking than with a ball. That said with the weight of the trailer you are looking at a 2 5/16" 1 1/4" shank ball on a 15k lb ball mount will do no problem. Quite a few 14k lb trailers are offered with 2 5/16" couplers.
I own a 16' long flatbed trailer, and the very first thing I did to it when I bought it was took it to a local hitch shop, had the 2 5/16" coupler torch cut off and had an adjustable channel welded to the A-Frame and had a Lunette ring bolted to that channel. I love using the pintle hitch. It's more Heavy Duty, higher break strength, easier and quicker to connect & disconnect to the truck (in my opinion) very secure setup with several safety factors in place ie. locking hook latch + locking pin on chain. I use the Curt 8 Ton Pintle Hitch with the 2 5/16" ball. Bumper pull (ball style) weight rating on it is 12,000 lbs and the Lunette Pintle weight rating on it is 16,000 lbs. Solid steel construction (not hollow) it's literally 2 hitches in one and very versatile. Really nice for maximum articulation over uneven terrain, fields, bumps, and aggressive ground conditions. Sure they do make the banging when stopping due to the amount of play the ring has inside the pintle but I've pulled this for so long that I really don't even notice it or get bothered by it to be honest.
Thanks everyone for the replies. One reason the pintle appeals to me is that someone is less likely to drive away with your trailer simply because this towing setup is less common. On this trailer, the lunette itself is simply bolted to a plate with a range of bolt holes for height adjustment. It looks like it would be easy to swap in a ball coupler if needed.
I have a pintle hook on my f-450 dually and would not give it up...the pintle can do both loop style trailers tounges as well as ball type tounges. it has excellent lock down and once locked down, its never going to give up the loop tounge or the ball....even with out the pin...its impossible to lift the top part of the pintle hook once the slip lock is in position.
my pintle hook has multiple positions vertically and has a tow rating of 16,000lbs and a tounge weight rating of 1500lbs.
my hook has inter changeable ***** as well.
even if I never towed a loop tounge, I would still never give up the pintle hook because of the way it can lock down a ball tounge .
my f-450 dually can tow some really high weights and with the pintle hook I would not be afraid to do it.
To "troverman"There is a very reputable lock & hitch lock company named Trimax and they make a very well made and very secure Pintle Lunette Ring lock which doesn't have a weakness such as a padlock being cut. This is a photo of mine on my pintle hitch trailer. What's really nice is it's solid steel, a 2 piece unit with a center pin and takes a square mouth key so a screw driver can't suffice in picking it open. And I totally agree with "speakerfritz" with the strength and integrity of the dual style pintle hitch. It literally doubles as two hitch styles in one, is rated for insane amounts of weight, can be adjusted to a proper ride height for different applications, as well as works great for a secure hook on point for a tow strap without the risk of it coming off during a pull out. It's the only hitch I have used and will probably ever use (unless I require stabilizer bars)
Guys, I appreciate all the advice. Yesterday I bought the trailer on condition the pintle ring was swapped out for a ball coupler. They installed a ball coupler rated for 20k lbs and I bought a new 2 5/16" hitch and ball for my 2.5" receiver rated for 18k lbs. The pintle would have been OK for me but they would have had to order the hitch rated for the trailer GVWR of 16.2k and it would have taken a week to get there. I just wanted to take the trailer yesterday, and the added benefit of less noise is nice too.
