Posted 2006-09-26 10:26 AM (#49138) Subject: Quick Coupler
Regular
Posts: 95 Location: Nashville, TN
Would like feedback from anyone that has installed this product on their gooseneck trailer. It is appealing from an alignment perspective and the fact that you can put a padlock on the latching mechanism.
Posted 2006-09-26 11:17 AM (#49140 - in reply to #49138) Subject: RE: Quick Coupler
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by rattler on 2006-09-26 10:26 AM
Would like feedback from anyone that has installed this product on their gooseneck trailer. It is appealing from an alignment perspective and the fact that you can put a padlock on the latching mechanism.
It looks like yet another blatant ad for a solution in search of a problem.
As an anti theft device, just useless.
BTW, whoever wrote the ad didn't bother to check their spelling - SLOPPY !!!
Posted 2006-09-26 1:52 PM (#49147 - in reply to #49140) Subject: RE: Quick Coupler
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 335 Location: Decatur, Texas
They must have hit spell check in a hurry after your review. I did a cursory review of the ad and found no spelling errors. are as a buhnc of peeple on hear spill, how duz it effect there grammer
Posted 2006-09-26 3:04 PM (#49151 - in reply to #49138) Subject: RE: Quick Coupler
Elite Veteran
Posts: 634 Location: Tipton, IN
Just another gadget that promotes mediocrity and "were all equal" PC. If you want to pull a trailer, learn how to hook it up. The only time I might need something like that is if I couldn't see the sides of my trailer or if my wife was trying to guide me. I mean, how hard is it to line your truck and trailer up centered if you can see the neck. Not to mention, how much does that thing weigh!
Posted 2006-09-26 6:05 PM (#49159 - in reply to #49138) Subject: RE: Quick Coupler
Veteran
Posts: 192 Location: Kentucky
It can be more difficult then you might think. I am short so to see to hook my GN to the truck, I have to stand up the best way I can from the driver's seat of the truck. I usually put a big rock on the tail gate of the truck in alignment with the ball of the truck. Then I have a piece of gravel on the side of the truck so I know when the ball is aligned with the trailer.
I have seen people stronger than me get the ball and GN close and then bump the GN or truck around until it fits but I can't do that.
Don't get me wrong, I can hook up but it isn't the easiest thing to do.
Posted 2006-09-26 7:33 PM (#49165 - in reply to #49159) Subject: RE: Quick Coupler
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by arlene21 on 2006-09-26 5:05 PM
It can be more difficult then you might think. I am short so to see to hook my GN to the truck, I have to stand up the best way I can from the driver's seat of the truck. I usually put a big rock on the tail gate of the truck in alignment with the ball of the truck. Then I have a piece of gravel on the side of the truck so I know when the ball is aligned with the trailer.
Arlene... A suggestion for you and all height restricted folks. A Plumber's helper AKA Plunger is a handy thing. Just put it in front of your GN ball. Being wide and flat, it'll stand by itself. When the trailer's hitch post touches the Plunger's handle, you're ready to drop the trailer on the ball... Try it you'll like it!
Posted 2006-09-26 10:55 PM (#49178 - in reply to #49138) Subject: RE: Quick Coupler
Regular
Posts: 90 Location: louisiana
I am with Arlene. At just around 5 foot and driving a crew cab long wheel base dually, I cannot see the bed of my truck. I am usually pretty lucky though. If I am backing straight(looking at the sides of the trailer in the side mirrors) and hit the right spot on my tailgate (which I can see) usually I am right on the money. But to give you a good laugh, I am then too short and fat to get into the bed of the truck to lock the trailer onto the ball. The tire step I bought is too short as is the stool I use to mount my horse with and the tailgate is too tall to jump in. I do have a replacement elbow that hinders me a bit so maybe if this wasnt a factor or if I was a little smaller and a little taller!!!!!!!!
Posted 2006-09-27 7:16 AM (#49198 - in reply to #49138) Subject: RE: Quick Coupler
Elite Veteran
Posts: 634 Location: Tipton, IN
Ah, but just for the record, even you vertically challenged equestrian women seem to be more adept at backing your trucks than you might give yourself credit for. And why? Because you want to hook up, take your horsey and go play. And I love the plunger idea, and it's cheaper than all these gadgets. Also, I really wasn't trying to disparage any of the fellow horse folks here, just the blatant adds for things like this get old. I mean, come on, even if it takes us 2 or 3 tries to get lined up perfect once in awhile, is it worth spending hundreds of dollars on something that you ONLY use once a week or so? If you were a stock hauler, with a fleet of GN trailers and were switching from trailer to trailer all the time it might be a good investment.
Posted 2006-09-27 8:53 AM (#49205 - in reply to #49138) Subject: RE: Quick Coupler
Expert
Posts: 2689
There is a MARGINAL case for the guidance feature of this gadget.
Once in a while you can unhook at just the wrong place.
You can back up in perfect alignment, get within a few inches of the ball and Ooops, the truck's rear tire finds a tree root and now you're tipped and 2 inches off to one side. Go forwards, come back 2 inches to that side to compensate and the truck misses the root - - DANG !!!
AS I said, a marginal case, just be conscious of any tipping to one side in the last couple of feet when you unhook and you can avoid the need.
It only happens when there is a LARGE audience and you're in a hurry anyway.
I vote for the plunger solution, but grease in the toilet bowl presents it's own problems (-:
Posted 2006-09-27 11:10 AM (#49212 - in reply to #49138) Subject: RE: Quick Coupler
Veteran
Posts: 122 Location: Grant Twp., MI
Hey Rattler....I have the newest Quick Connect coupler....and I LOVE IT....now I hook up first time..no getting in and out of my 4 dr. dually, 8 ft. bed....its extra high cause of the air bags....I'm extra short!...and senior challenged! There's no way I can see anything in my bed....also my trailer is 45 ft. long and to get out of my driveway - I have to back it up and try to turn it and then I have to un-hook and turn my truck around and re-hook under some pretty hairy situations...we live in a heavy wooded/ravine area....this has saved me a lot of time and effort. It only weighs 38 lbs...and was easy to change from the original....its nice to hear everyones opinion...but do what you want!!!
Posted 2006-09-27 12:57 PM (#49221 - in reply to #49212) Subject: RE: Quick Coupler
Regular
Posts: 95 Location: Nashville, TN
Thanks for the reply...... I also have a crew cab with a water tank in front of the ball so I can't see it unless I standup as far as possible in the cab. I can generally get close and the cone type design should make it a one shot deal.
I ordered one yesterday despite the fact that spell check wasn't used on the website.
Posted 2006-09-27 10:13 PM (#49258 - in reply to #49255) Subject: RE: Quick Coupler
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by Reg on 2006-09-27 8:28 PM
Originally written by arlene21 on 2006-09-27 5:35 PM I bought a plunger today so I think I will see how that works before I do anything else.
Then use white lithium grease on the ball, black moly shows up MUCH worse in the t**l*t bowl.
A little off topic ... But I'll never install a black toilet. Went to a swanky dinner place that had black toilets. Couldn't tell if there was anything left previously or it was a clean flush. Ugh !
Posted 2006-09-29 8:22 AM (#49337 - in reply to #49258) Subject: RE: Quick Coupler
Expert
Posts: 2689
Originally written by hosspuller on 2006-09-27 10:13 PM
Originally written by Reg on 2006-09-27 8:28 PM
Originally written by arlene21 on 2006-09-27 5:35 PM I bought a plunger today so I think I will see how that works before I do anything else.
Then use white lithium grease on the ball, black moly shows up MUCH worse in the t**l*t bowl.
A little off topic ... But I'll never install a black toilet. Went to a swanky dinner place that had black toilets. Couldn't tell if there was anything left previously or it was a clean flush. Ugh !
Posted 2006-10-04 7:25 AM (#49581 - in reply to #49570) Subject: RE: Quick Coupler
Member
Posts: 46 Location: Ottawa, ON
Originally written by hosspuller on 2006-10-03 10:00 PM
You're welcome... The Plunger also works for folks having a cross bed tool box blocking their view of the hitch ball.
I have a toolbox on my short bed pickup. I use the empty cardboard roll from some giftwrap as a depth gauge. I just lay it on the center of the toolbox and line up a mark on the tube with the back edge of the toolbox. I then back up until the tube touches the coupler.
It worked great until the first windy day. Rev. 2 includes a length of old garden hose inside it to weigh it down. I chose cardboard as there is no chance of driving it through the window if I overshoot....
Quick Coupler
