Trailer Coupler 2-5/16" Adjustable (15,000 lbs)

Video Transcript for Atwood Trailer Coupler 80281 Review

Today we're going to review Atwood's trailer coupler for 2-5/16 balls, part number 80281. This coupler has a gross trailer weight capacity of 15,000 pounds and a tongue weight capacity of 2,250 pounds. It's designed to work with a channel bracket that's already affixed to your trailer. The back of the coupler will fit into the bracket and be secured with these bolts, nuts, and lock washers. We do want to measure the outside width to determine what channel it's compatible with. We get a measurement of about 2-7/8 inches.

The channel bracket on your trailer will look something like this, a piece of steel with a series of holes so you can position the coupler as needed. Now we want to go over how the mechanism works. To open the latch, pull it forward and then we'll slide the whole mechanism back. As we do this, it moves the wedge inside the coupler back and away from the ball to allow enough room to remove it. Push it forward and down and then the wedge moves back into place.

From below, we can see the wedge here that will sit against the back of the trailer ball. Lift up our latch and slide the assembly backwards and now we have enough room to get the ball in or out. We have a 2-5/16 ball, so we can show you how it works with an actual trailer ball. Get the ball in the socket, push the latch system forward and now our ball is secure. It's captive and can't go anywhere, but it moves freely enough that the trailer will track nicely behind the tow vehicle.

We'll lift the latch, pull it back and with the wedge out of the way, we can remove our trailer ball. Now back on top with our latch, you'll notice that there's a hole through the latch handle here. This is so you can use a coupler lock to secure your coupler. It will prevent the latch from coming up so when you're trailering down the road you won't have to worry about accidental unhooking. It'll also serve to protect your trailer if you store it somewhere over the winter.

And that's it for a quick look at the Atwood trailer coupler for 2-5/16 balls part number 80281.