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coupler rating?

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Old Jul 21, 2025 | 06:45 PM
  #16  
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So if the trailer had a 13,000 lbs dead weight, you would only need a 1,000 lbs coupler?

I think not

their explanation is bogus, but I stand by my earlier statements.
it ain’t gonna break.
 
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Old Jul 21, 2025 | 08:29 PM
  #17  
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It doesn’t matter if it’s not going to break, it’s not right. You wouldn’t pull 14k with a receiver on your truck rated for 12.5k.

it’s easy to say when everything goes as planned it won’t break, but what about when you slide off the road and you’re wondering it the trailer is coming through the back of the cab. Components are rated for a reason.

have them derate the trailer and give you some cash back if nothing else.
 
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Old Jul 22, 2025 | 05:01 AM
  #18  
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Some of y'all have never seen the kind of couplers that mobile homes get hauled with. And it shows. OP is fine. He will wad up the tongue on that trailer before he breaks a bulldog coupler.
 
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Old Jul 22, 2025 | 06:30 AM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by Superdave71
It doesn’t matter if it’s not going to break, it’s not right. You wouldn’t pull 14k with a receiver on your truck rated for 12.5k.

it’s easy to say when everything goes as planned it won’t break, but what about when you slide off the road and you’re wondering it the trailer is coming through the back of the cab. Components are rated for a reason.

have them derate the trailer and give you some cash back if nothing else.
yes, I would. And have. And hit bumps that sent the trailer airborne. And did it with a ball mount rated to 7500. I don’t recommend others do it, but I’m 100% sure it that nothing will break

Just for funsies, do the math on this one. Factory hitch rated to 10k and 7500 lbs ball mount.
Just for funsies, do the math on this one. Factory hitch rated to 10k and 7500 lbs ball mount.


he should get them to put a proper coupler on the trailer. And he should use the argument I outlined above to drive the point home.

but, that coupler won’t break.

 
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Old Jul 22, 2025 | 06:54 AM
  #20  
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^^^ This, right here. I have done some sketchy stuff in the past towing and hauling things. Probably shouldn't have. Don't recommend others do it. But, push come to shove, I'd do them again, because they needed to get done. I also don't take pictures of said sketchy stuff, because I don't need a record of it.

But, on the flip side, I have 30 years of experience doing this stuff, and unless it LOOKS like something is going to break, I'm going to try it. Because I inspect my equipment every time I use it just to be sure it isn't compromised. I also understand that when it comes to things like this, engineers build in a 30% tolerance - meaning that rating of 12,500 is actually closer to 18k before it's going to be hurt.

Is it right that it's not rated for the weight of the trailer? No. And they should replace it. BUT, he's got it in writing now that the builders of the trailer said it's okay, so really if anything happens they have to stand behind their words and take the consequences.
 
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Old Jul 22, 2025 | 07:23 AM
  #21  
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The OP paid for 14K and he did not get what he paid for, it doesn't matter that it probably can handle the 14K it is not rated for the 14K that he paid for. All you folks that say it is ok and not worry about it would you be happy if you paid for a 48 gal fuel tank but only got a 36?
 
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Old Jul 22, 2025 | 08:03 AM
  #22  
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Will it break, probably never, but he paid for a legal 14k trailer and that's not one. I'm good with gray areas in the law, but that's not a gray area. I doubt very seriously that the dealers word will hold any sway in court for a ticker or litigation. In meborders skid steer photo, just about all us have done it, but if pulled over that vehicle is out of service until fixed.

Demco and Bulldog among others make hitches rated for the rating, that's what should be on that trailer, not some cheap **** Bulldog copy.

I've seen semi 5th wheels broken and a drawbar on a JD 8440 snapped with rated loads and 1 7/8" 3500 ball pull 8k+, doesn't make it right especially when the dealer cashed my 14k trailer check.
 
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