Will Pintle Hitch Ball Combination Help Coupler From Coming Loose?

Updated 09/27/2017 | Published 09/26/2017

Question:

Hello. I was wondering with the pintle/ball combo hitches, can the arm on those be lowered down on top of a standard ball coupler and lock down to help prevent the coupler from popping off?

asked by: Joe

Expert Reply:

A pintle hitch combination with hitch ball like the Curt Pintle Hook with 2-5/16" Hitch Ball - Channel Mount - 20,000 lbs # C45922 is not designed to function like you stated. Can it work in this way...possibly. Here is the issue at hand. The coupler is latched to the hitch ball using the integrated system designed to work with the hitch ball to allow movement, but limits so that the coupler doesn't simply jump off the ball on a bump. A pintle hitch is used with a lunette ring to close the connection but allows more front to back and up and down movement. It is used more for industrial sized trailer or agricultural trailer applications.

The pintle hitch top may help a coupler that has a failed latching system to not come completely off the hitch ball but the contact made by that pintle could wear on the top of the coupler if resting on it and can cause problems with coupler function. It cannot be locked in place and is not designed to be used at the same time as the hitch ball for a trailer coupler.

The pintle combination is a great option for people who have both a lunette ring trailer and a standard trailer to use both without changing the mount each time.

expert reply by: Jason S