Ark releases new low-profile ball couplings

Sydney-based Ark Corporation has released a trio of low-profile Australian-designed 50mm ball couplings and three new A-frame dual-wheel jockeys.

The most innovative of the new couplings is the lightweight cast steel and plate 3.5 tonne rated EC35RZ model that has a unique folding handle, which makes it ideal for use on tow vehicles that have drop-down taiIgates, such as dual-cab utes, some 4WDs and car-based station wagons.

The coupling incorporates a park brake system whose handle only needs to be pulled up to engage the brakes, requiring less effort than conventional ratchet systems, with the button at the end of the handle depressed to release the brakes.

Retrofittable to any four-bolt coupling mounts on the market, the combined coupling/handbrake retails for $199.

At the same time, ARK has added two new off-road 50mm ball couplings, each offering 360-degree rotation and a low-profile design. Both the 3500kg and2000kg versions have a top-mounted trigger that allows the hitch to display a visible green marking when the ball is engaged and red when it's released, for fool-proof operation.

The 2.0-tonne model incorporates a mechanical over-ride park brake system, making it suitable for smaller towed trailers where an electric braking system is not required.

ARK has also added three new versions of its popular dual jockey wheel range.

Most interesting to older travellers, or those who have weight distribution hitches fitted to their caravans, is the CMJW350 Centre A-Frame Drawbar Jockey Wheel.

Designed to be mounted permanently on the centre A-frame, keeping drawbars clear for other accessories such as stone guards and weight distribution systems, it has huge 850mm height adjustability, making unhitching easier with less bending and less winding.

You simple drop the jockey wheel to the ground once you arrive and then wind it off the coupling, with its dual 6-inch steel wheels providing a wider footprint on soft ground than a single wheel, with the trailing yoke design aiding maneuverability once free.

Dual side-winding operation and a magnetic removable handle, allows the user to employ their dominant hand regardless of which side of the van they hitch, or unhitch/

Rated at 350kg, the CMJW350 jockey wheel has an RRP of $299.

ARK has also added two new models to its popular side-mounted A-frame range.

At the entry end there's the new 350kg-rated ARK 350 priced at $269 RRP, that sits below the existing ARK 500 and ARK 750 –the latter fitted as original equipment to a number of Australian off-road campers, hybrids and caravans.

Unlike its bigger brothers, which with their dynamic ratings of 350kg (ARK 500) and 500kg (ARK 750) can be towed or winched from to get your rig out of a bog or sand, the ARK 350 with its smaller 6-inch dual wheels and shorter shank is designed more specifically for boat trailers.

Finally, ARK has added a premium ‘black’ model of its ARK 750, which is zinc and powder coated to match the increasing number of A-frames now factory finished in black protective stone coating instead of unpainted zinc. It has a RRP of $399, compared with the $349 of the conventional unpainted zinc version and the $299 of the ARK 500.

All ARK side-mounted jockey wheels are designed to be retro-clamped to A-frames from 50mm-150mm in diameter, have dual wheels with sealed bearings, are height-adjustable and can be swivelled up and locked in place for travelling.

They're designed in Australia, but manufactured in China and all have a zinc coating tested to withstand 600 hours of salt spray testing.