(Heading changed)Cheap Chinese Poly Hitch Failure (PICS NOW UP)

[Sawed-Off]

The hitch might be good, but how good is the padlock they've got on the chain?

[Marschy]

The padlock on the Oz hitch (or any hitch for that matter)  is only good when the CT is off the vehicle. When it's attached to the vehicle, all you need to circumvent the padlock is a shifter spanner to remove the hitch towbar coupling, and your done for.

What someone needs to come up with is a means of securing the towbar coupling as well as the hitch pin.

[Turbojohn]

take my hitch with you, i will have a Treg here monday and be off tuesday on the first trip with the 

That's gold!

[spargo]

Getting a little O/T but I'm still impressed by the no-nonsense simplicity and toughness of the Hyland. There's nothing to drop or lose and no itty-bitty bearings or finely-machined components to give trouble in dust or mud

If I didn't have a DO35 (for ease of hook-up and sheer impressiveness), I'd have a Hyland for reasons above.

Completely O/T, but meh.

[jetcrew]

Mchitch wont let go ....thats bent the towbar up and over into the boot and gone well past 180 deg rotation at 80Kp/h impact. Hitch still attached to pin. So the factory towbar mounts sheared before the hitch let go..Very happy with the investment and now have thses hitches on every trailer I own.

Don't muck arount with hiches ..is my 2c worth 


Jet

Edit- before anyone asks cause I know they will YES the trailer was within towning specs for that commodore/lexen .Police checked all that out trust me as he caused $$$$$ damage to 4 cars so insurance was looking for a way out . but all good and within specs.

[GeeTee]

Ouch!

FWIW, I think this thread highlights the fact that most people are serious about safety, however as with other areas of product supply, they don't always get what they pay for even if the intention is there

[chester ver2.0]

Aust standards states that it should be stamped on both parts of the hitch so I would assume it's the same for a ball

You have hit on the magic word in your post that being "should"

For a citation (the section of the Legislation to be enforced) there must be a positive commitment to do that the statement must contain Will, Shall or Must.

An Australian standard is not law unless it is "called up" meaning referenced in an act, or regulation. If it is not called up it is an example of best practice methodology only. And while you do not legally have to follow it your method or product would have to be either the same or better than the requirments in the standard.

So while the coupling in the first post is not up to scratch it is not technically illegal

As for it being a Tregg hitch when it is not this is simply a product or more in this case a style of product becoming popular or the norm. If a company was using genuine Tregg hitches and wanted to advertise this they should put Tregg hitch with the restricted logo or better yet the copy of the trademark number on it

[britts]

Jet, I remember when you posted that thread and it impressed me, but when Jeepers mentioned that the hitch failed I found a McHitch 3500kg with handbrake 2nd hand for $100, only problem it doesn't match the holes from my Chinese one.
Now I have never had any problems with my poly block hitch and it has done plenty on kms and some articulation with no concerns, but it was a good excuse to convince the minister of war that we needed to upgrade.

[jetcrew]

I had a d035 for many years before this and it performed very well also. We are lucky to have so many good quality manuf in aust.

But the ball hitch is still legal and widely used but I have no doubt would have let go in that circumstance I went away from the ball hitch to minimise stress on the trailer when towing to Weipa as previous trailer used to rattle and make not so nice noises , once the off road hitch was used it eliminated a lot of the transferred vibration into the trailer.

One thing I see a lot of and is in no way a critisim is the use of padlocks in place of rated shackels on the safety chains. As per pic above I too used to do this until I saw the result . I now tow with d shackels and then swap to padlocks when at boat ramp.

Great thread as it has highlighted some safety issues would hate to see a trip or life ruined due to people not knowing about it.

Jet

[GU Rich]

Does it have a red poly block.

It looks identical to the hitch you find on any imported camper.

The one I had was attached to my GIC camper. It was not ADR approved. I replaced it a week after purchase with a standard 50mm ball coupling from Repco.

I think you will find it will be the same POS "trek hitch" flooding the market.

Rob

Good move Rob, I was on a trip in the Flinders and I saw a hitch off a GIC actually break. The coupling on the tow bar tongue snapped clean off and the trailer dropped into the chains.

Cheers
Rich

[KingBilly]

Hey jetcrew, you have had both the DO35 and the McHitch.  Which is best?  Come on mate, spill.  I need an honest opinion before parting with my hard earned.

KB

[Toy pradopetty]

Damn forum costing me money ahh well all in the name of trust and safety
Cheers
Frank


Cheers
Frank

[jetcrew]

Hey jetcrew, you have had both the DO35 and the McHitch.  Which is best?  Come on mate, spill.  I need an honest opinion before parting with my hard earned.

KB

My bad everyone I had the previous AT35 not DO , had to many things in my head.

I was very happy with that hitch for many years but then it flogged out after a lot of corros but this hitch did some work..when I went to replace it I discovered the manufact no longer made mechanical override hitches and wanted $400 to source one for me out of a few things still around the workshop..so I started to research and did purchase an oz hitch but was not satisfied and returned it.

Then got onto mchitch and was very impressed. The quality of finish and materials used is first class. I think it is bit like Nissan v Toyota . Engle v waeco etc each to their own and I am certainly not qualified to say one is better than the others just because I bought x . My advice if you can have a good look at the hitches in the flesh some are way ahead of others , price is important also and function . But I think the 2 you are choosing between are both top shelf 

Obv after dads little mishap it def made my mind up that I had purchased well and I like the no grease on any part and no bushes being worn all stainless and galvanised as well as the quality of the materials . Price of mchitch is very good too and when I opened up all the boxes I felt that I had a quality product for the $$ spent.

I know that response is a bit like Switzerland but I hate it when someone says x is best just because they have one. Compare the 2 on price etc and one will stand out also have a look at extra parts prices

Hope your suitably confused now lol

Jet

[Marcus73]

Damn forum costing me money ahh well all in the name of trust and safety
Cheers
Frank


Cheers
Frank

Damn it, now I'm thinking.
I'm gathering seeing that I've got electric brakes, the 2 tonne box trailer coupling would be suffice? My camper has a load rating of 1500kg. Mine currently just has a standard 3 bolt . $149 that the McHitch is advertised for seems cheap.

Cheers

[nbd73]

I know this thread is not a "what hitch is best" discussion, but in light of the fact that a few people are checking their poly blocks to see if they are the real deal and then trying to swap them etc it is relevant to ask if you are going to change why not go for a more modern design? Think of it like comparing leaf springs to coils in 4wd's: one has been around forever, tough as nails and easy to repair. But the other is way more.comfortable and gives better susp travel, and after riding on coils you never go back to leaf springs. Same applies to hitches: nothing wrong with poly block style, they were the first style sold in significant numbers that I am aware of, but they have been superceded by more modern designs. And the 2 mentioned appear to be just as tough.

[Toy pradopetty]

Marcus looking at yours is it maybe possible that the 2 bolts for your handbrake and the front 2 hitch bolts are the ones to hook up for an override hitch .

Cheers
Frank

[Marcus73]

Marcus looking at yours is it maybe possible that the 2 bolts for your handbrake and the front 2 hitch bolts are the ones to hook up for an override hitch .


Cheers
Frank

Thanks for the response, but I'm gathering that I'm not needing the override hitch due to having electric brakes.... Correct??
I'm in the learning phase with all of this hitch stuff, so bare with me

[Toy pradopetty]

Yep agreed if u have electric brakes then yeah no need for the override setup. Wasn't sure which way your were leaning.  My camper has both electric and override so made my decision very easy.
Edit:
I seen the one you talking about for 149 and yes I noticed the 3 bolts on the bottom of the hitch plate. Suppose now is as good a time as ever to make up ya mind. Mine was made up yesterday arvo when the above post of a GIC hitch failing. That's enough convincing for me even though mine may never fail



Cheers
Frank

[laf]

got my stamped 3000kg TREG today as promised so Iam a hap;py chappy
stay safe stay cool 

[outbackogre]

McHitch now fitted. 

[Pipeliner]

The McHitch looks a solid piece of work, but it would be no use for me (and lots of others) because it stands too high and would prevent me opening the rear door of the Jeep - I have to have a high towbar position to allow the Odyssey to be horizontal whilst towing.  That's one reason why I love the DO35, because of it's low profile.

[Toy pradopetty]

And now I too have been McHitched Lol


Cheers
Frank

[dazzler]

Is the uni joint on the mchitch a normal everyday uni joint with needle bearings?

[Toy pradopetty]

Is the uni joint on the mchitch a normal everyday uni joint with needle bearings?

Yes it is Dazzler. It's a Landcruiser uni


Cheers
Frank

[GeoffA]

....... It's a Landcruiser uni.......

I see a problem right there.........