Hitch-Ezy tackles towing problems

Designer John Allsop says his Hitch-Ezy coupling, which took two and a half years to develop in conjunction with Sugar Glider Campers, overcomes many safety and useability problems experienced with other off-road couplings available on the market.

Aimed primarily at owners of heavy-duty off-road caravans, the Hitch-Ezy is Australian Design Rule compliant for a 5000kg trailer behind a 4500kg tow vehicle, and fits on standard tow bar mounting points.

It provides a full range of articulation (90 degrees up and down and unlimited left to right) plus 360 degrees rotation in the long axis of the trailer. But unlike some pin-type couplings the Hitch-Ezy utilises a rotating unlocking ‘lid’ with "a self-centring characteristic that connects with the ease of dropping onto a standard 50mm tow ball".

"There are plenty of couplings out there that give an adequate range of articulation... but they are all profoundly troubled by difficulty with connection," Allsop explained at the 2011 Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow, where the Hitch-Ezy was shown to the public for the first time.

"It’s very easy to connect them and put a pin in the place when you're on a nice level surface, particularly if you’ve got a single axle van that you can swivel around, but if you get into dual-axle, heavy weight, uneven ground, or sand, they’re impossible to get together..."

The Hitch-Ezy also has an automatic double locking mechanism "which overcomes the problems on some other couplings in which the primary lock is not automatic, so could be unlocked by someone while attached".

A padlock can be used on the secondary lock as extra back-up "and unlike some other couplings the Hitch-Ezy is able to perform through most of its range of articulation with the padlock in place".

The Hitch-Ezy’s 'twist top' release mechanism also addresses safety issues of other couplings with forward-release mechanisms, which can put the operator’s hand at risk of injury if the trailer moves forwards or backwards while disconnecting.

"We’ve avoided that problem because at the stage you release the coupling, and wind the jockey wheel to lift it up about a centimetre, you no longer need your hand on the coupling," Allsop said. "At that stage the car and trailer are still firmly connected, it's not until you move up another couple of inches that the car and the trailer separate."

"This is the only coupling on the market to our knowledge that can be released under any, and I mean any, load," he said. "So if you drive off the edge of a cliff with your offroad camper... then you can still release our coupling."

The Hitch-Ezy uses O-ring seals to keep dust and water out of the mechanism, and also comes with an aluminium dust cover and plug to keep it protected when not in use.

Other nifty features include a small bar that can be inserted in the mechanism to assist arthritis sufferers; grease nipples placed at the rear to prevent damage from flying stones, and a coupling height of 117mm that allows a 4WD’s rear door to be opened when the coupling is connected.

At $795, the Hitch-Ezy is priced higher than most other couplings, but Allsop says this is due to the high costs of local manufacturing, particularly CNC machining, and use of high-grade materials including case hardened 4140 steel, urethane bushes, chrome plating, and aluminium.

"The sad thing about the coupling is its cost," he said. "Because it’s built so solidly and because we’re making it in Australia rather than overseas, we’ve got substantial costs."

For further information visit the Hitch-Ezy website.