Great Video! Ive been running the 5ton HitchEzy for 2 years now on my 7500lb camper. ZERO issues. I wanted a problem free hitch, full articulation, quality build with no cast parts, simple operation and something easy to hitch up,. This fits all the bill. Price is great compared to the high quality build that it provides. Its ART! Settle for no less!
I soon got sick of the McHitch. I was trying to hook up quickly, in the dark with low light and I couldn’t hook up. What an idiot I was! I had the tongue upside down! Won’t go in! Yeah I had a few issues on uneven ground. Now I have a semi off-road caravan I decided to remove the ball hitch to a DO35. Amazing no issues at all.
I have had the Hitchezy on my camper for some years now and in practice it really does make hitching and in-hitching very easy, especially with a rear view camera positioned directly over it.
Couldn't agree with you more, Stefan. I bought my Signature DII 2nd hand, it came with a McHitch, and I very very quickly learned to hate it. As you stated, even the slightest of incompatible angles between the tow vehicle and the hitch made connecting up an absolutely nightmare. I did look at the Hitch-Ezy but the cost was prohibitive for me - the D035 was on special at the time from Outback Equipment for around $400 and I went for it - and couldn't be happier. So much easier for a solo traveller.
Thanks Stefan. I found the same problem with the polyblock hitch that came with my camper. I switched to the 3.5t AL-KO Off-Road Ball Coupling on the camper trailer and back to the 50mm ball on my tow bar. Easy to couple and uncouple under all conditions I've come across so far and the 50mm tow ball is universal.
have used of these on my camper now for the last 6 years and your spot on it can be your best friend on dead even ground or be your worst nightmare when its unlevelled or has the slightest bit of pressure on it
Excellent video. I have a signature Elite X with a McHitch. I have found the McHitch really good to use, however I did find on a recent trip to a caravan park where we were on uneven ground that it was very frustrating to get hitched. The explanation you have provided now makes me understand why I was having so much trouble. Thanks heaps.
I towed a camper trailer with a McHitch hitch and I agree with your point of view. It was a very frustrating exercise to hitch and unhitch. I'm now using a Cruise Master DO35 coupling on a different caravan and have no complaints. I've been aware of the Hitch Ezy but have never seen it in action until your video. Thanks for sharing.
Had a McHitch auto coupler on my other caravan which I have just sold. I never had a problem with the lever releasing - it was hard sometimes - the problem I had was never knowing the height to wind the van UP to drive off smoothly. The auto coupler protrusion could flip up or down if you didn't get it right as you slowly drove off. The original drop on McHitch was the better choice which I had previously, but decided to go with the auto coupler after seeing it win the hitch shoot out in one of the 4WD magazines. I'm now running a DO35 - happy with it - however you have to be fairly precise while backing under it, otherwise the coupling tends to pivot as you lower the van.
Love my two 76mm pintles one is military on a Haulmark 2.2 ex army the other is a 3.5tonne trailer noisy but not bad awesome to connect and functionality
Like you I got rid of my McHitch auto coupler after I had the same experience as you. I've had my Hitch Ezy since 2016, on my 5t Chevy Silverado and 3.5t Bushtracker . I've installed an electric jockey leg similar to the Blackjack, but have modified it to operate via a cordless winch remote control. This enables me to single handedly hitch up from the driver's seat. I have a video on my RUclips channel showing how I do this.
We had a McHitch AutoCoupler on our 13' Hybrid we owned 3+ years and did 30000 km through deserts , mountains and tropics. No big issues coupling and uncoupling most time. Biggest issue was fine sand of our desert getting in the coupling, a few times it would not uncouple without a bit of bump to dislodge, and last trip the little spring that holds handle up for uncoupling also jammed with sand, spent an hour disassembling and reassembling it (including PTFE spray), and it was good as gold for the new owner. So plenty of PTFE, CLEAN WORKINGS and get the right level and it hitches on most awkward angle within reason (and wheels chocked, hand brake useless!) And hitching (that little yellow flag is brilliant) was a breeze. But one warning, we had one time when it came unhitched at 90kph. As far as we can workout, someone had removed the k pin holding the hitch pin in whilst parked in Yass whilst we had Breakfast. A few hours later the hitch pin had worked its way out, and then it just took a bump for the lever to release the tapered pin and front of Hybrid was hanging by the chains. We pulled over safely, but the road took the bottom of front bolts, with nuts off, and a few marks on the yokes so we replaced the whole hitch (thanks Wagga Caravans, had one in stock and back on the road by days end). So moral here is always use the keyed hitch lock, just in case you encounter one of those meddling dickheads whilst parked enjoying one of our country towns (yes we found out later the k pin wasn't the only thing tampered with)
thanks for sharing; yea way too much effort for me. Hitching and unhitching are the last and first part of the trip when you want to get going or start to set up and that should not take more than a minute. I can imagine the dust and sand ingress issues and can't see myself cleaning the hitch after each dusty drive. Will see how Hitch Ezy goes, but given it's pretty much sealed, I can't see many issues, nor have I heard of any.
Appreciate and value your view. I loved the idea of the Mchitch but my engineering brain had doubts... Glad I never bought one. our new rig came with a DO35 and I like it. hitchezy looks good and i hope they sell heaps.
Yes, I agree. The McHitch is great on level ground, but like you I have wasted a lot of time and sworn a lot when it is uneven or even in my slightly sloping driveway. Looks like I'll need to look at the Hitch-Ezy. What the heck, it's only my kids' inheritance I'll be spending!
Hi, had a McHitch on my pod trailer for some time now, had Joe at McHitch install, he was excellent , that being said I agree with your comments , the trailer is fairly light so I can get around the lever issue, thanks for the excellent review.
That was a great review thank you👍 I have a highly modified jeep and I purchased this year a teardrop trailer which I put a lift kit on and installed 33 inch tall tires to give me plenty of clearance my next step is to install a hitch, here in the United States it’s hard to find the same hitch you have but your video has helped me make a decision, Enjoy your adventures👍👍👍
Great Video, thank you for sharing. I had a McHitch here in the USA and had similar experiences. Been running the HitchEZY for a year now. Far superior. There’s a DBA still selling McHitch here and people think it’s still being manufactured, some people you just can’t reach.
Thanks for the info! I saw someone here in OZ advertising the US version go figure! I wonder if they make them in the US now? I'm certainly not alone in my experience which is good to know. Cheers to the US
@@AlloffroadAu I just bought one, I believe it was manufactured in and shipped from AU. They are in demand though, and you need to contact them if you want one and just see what the wait time, if any, may be.,
I purchased a McHitch 5 yrs ago. Had the same issues hitching. I travel 3 mths of the yr in a caravan. I was about to remove it but I did more research. I had the have the van higher then the car and adjust the jockey to release or place the handle in correct position, still time consuming to get the correct height. I totally agree with you and now looking at a hitch ezy. Thanks for your quality information
Thank you for sharing, having my trailer higher than my lifted 4wd and 35" would be hard. I'm sure I could have fine-tuned my McHitch hitching if I used the trailer more often and spent more time fiddling around, but way to much effort for something which should be a quick operation. Given there are so much easier and stronger options out there. I don't know any other hitch who has a 50/50 split between good and bad I recon that says something. Hitch-Ezy I could not find a single bad review besides one guy from 2012. DO35 has a split of maybe 97/3 Positive/Negative. McHitch with a 50/50 split shows that it's just not a user-friendly hitch.
We run the DO35 and DO45 on all the farm trailers. Bought a new camper which came with the McHitch and it was horrible in comparison to the DO35. So gave it a flick and back to happy hitching.
Thank you for yet another good info video. I have been using a Hyland Hitch on our off road 18" caravan for about 10 years. They couple up like the hitch easy but even more simple and it was hand made in Brisbane. Unfortunately they just stopped making them and wouldn't sell their business.
Good video as usual. Keep these coming! Had my McHitch for 18 months and have had a few times of frustration. Over time I am improving my technique. It helps a lot to adjust the knob out a bit. I typically hitch solo and it's a lot easier with the McHitch I find. My biggest problem is it twisting on the tow bar tongue. Those little side tabs which are mean to keep it strait are not the best. The Hitch Ezy looks a little tricky to un hitch without two hands. Yes there is the pin but these are all more bits to keep track of and not loose. Will keep it in mind for me next van, if I can afford it.
Man the hitch ezy looks amazing, easy to hitch and look good design. Also doesn't need to be perfectly lined up to pop on. Thanks for the video and new product.
I have been running the Hitch Ezy on my caravan for Over 4years now and as you have stated hitching up and unhitching could not be any easier. I am glad I spent the extra money. Highly recommend these hitches
Great video as always Stephen. I've currently got a Drifta DOT trailer which has an OZ Hitch on it. A bit like the McHitch, the weight is on the uni joint rather than the tow bar. Been looking at options for replacement and was considering the McHitch. Will definitely look at the Hitch Ezy now I can see why you chose it.
What do you reckon why McHitch closed down? Share your hitch experiences below. John from Hitch Ezy mentioned he will look after my subscribers, if you are in a market for a Hitch you can Contact the inventor at hitch-ezy@bigpond.com and mention AllOffroad for the best possible deal www.hitch-ezy.com.au/
@@AlloffroadAu I’d have thought so but I think he was almost a one man band and so much of the knowledge was with him so any buyer works probably have wanted a long handover period where he still had to be on deck which I don’t think he is able to do
Ive been using the McHitch for a couple of years and feel your pain. However, i recently lubricated the hitch and went from frustration to elation. What a world of difference. Just when i was about to give up and change, the one man back up and hitch is what i much prefer. The ARK XO Extreme 750 jockey wheel on the other hand has to be one of the worst and falsely advertized jockey wheels ever. man they are shit and have nearly broken my legs on a couple of ocasions. Have replaced it twice due to bending failure and am looking for a better solution.
Yeah, at the time, it wasn't offered by Signature, so I went with the newer version I wasn't that happy with. I never had an issue with the drop hitch.
Thanks vid a thorough review Stefan. The only issue I can see with the hitch ezy, is the lack of a good anti theft locking function. Just a paddock wouldn't cut the mustard. Thanks for sharing
yea if someone wants it he gets it but keep in mind you also need the specific tow pillar can’t just use a generic tow ball so it’s a reasonable deterrent for a casual thief.
At first I found that this was a problem, but I now have a Kovix brand hitch lock that fits (not perfectly as intended) that is as effective as a block to theft. I also use an alarmed cable around the trailer’s wheel. As has been pointed out, the specific tow pillar must make it difficult for a thief.
lol could be, but as you can read in the comments, quite a few people with the same user errors luckily, there is a way stronger and better hitch out there. If you look at feedback for hitches like DO35 you have maybe 5% problems McHitch seems to be closer to 50/50 and that says something. I recon McHitch is out of business for a reason.
That's good, mate seems to be mixed experiences. If I go by the comments a lot of people have issues some have not. Hitch Ezy is 100% no issues, so the better option for me, I definitely have not looked back after switching.
@@AlloffroadAu The Hitch Ezy does look good and I may get one on our next caravan. I switched to a McHitch from a Treg poly block hitch after seeing a failure with one of them.
Just be aware when researching my new hitch, I came across a lot of failures of the McHitch. Word in Lithgow is that besides a medical issue, the reason for shutting down where issues with overseas part qualities and failures. Which would explain why the company has not been sold.
I have the Hitch Ezy coupling that I use with my camper trailer and initially had the same problem when connecting to the trailer, it wouldn't fully engage. A friend then tells me to spray the pin with silicon spray (as well as keeping the hitch clean, as you should) and it just glides into place now without a problem.
dirt and dust tends to stick to silicon and would be very hard to keep a McHitch out of the dust the way it is designed, however at long as it works and you clean after every trip. Hitch Ezy is completely sealed so should have far less issues with dust ingress.
Always.....ALWAYS..... use the cover and dummy pillar when you aren't coupled up. They will ensure NO dust can get on the pillar or inside the receiver. Absolutely no need for silicon spray. Keep the grease up to it too.
had exactly this happen with my mchitch up at fraser island couldn"t get the handle to lock on thought it was me now i know different spent an hour in the rain trying to get it to work what a pain and a waste of good money !!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Stefan, this design is very similar to the ARK Off-road Coupling that fits to a standard 50mm towball for less than half the money. I fitted one to my caravan and it gave me Flawless results
very different design in every way, I had a Ark OffRoad hitch with tow ball still lost my Mission Trailer which uncoupled unexpected after a bit of flex so personally would not run a tow ball hitch anymore.
Disagree with your assessment of the McHitch. I have had to disconnect a camper trailer off road in a very difficult position and was able to do that with the McHitch. I really think it comes down to how you use it. I also have a Ezy hitch on another trailer and it is excellent. I have a DO35 on another camper trailer and at times find it more difficult to disconnect than the McHitch.
could well be I only use the trailer a few times a year so maybe it’s practice. On the other hand plenty people with same experience and HitchEzi has non of the issues and has had non of the breakages McHitch has had.
I have a 1st hand experience in a trailer rolling over with a DO35. What people don’t realise is that the safety chains stop the unit rolling over completely and so will force the tow vehicle over as well.
Yea I think a trailer can roll with any Hitch depending on the situation, but it has a bigger chance of rolling with a hitch that articulates less. Hope you and your loved ones are alright, that would be scary.
I was considering a McHitch until I saw your video. I sent an email enquiry in the early afternoon through to Hitch Ezy and in the evening of the same day I received a call from John himself, not an email reply an actual phone call. I was genuinely shocked and pleasantly surprised. After a very informative conversation I will now be installing a Hitch Ezy! Question - What size tow pin is on your hitch in the video?
I totally disagree. I had an Auto Coupler for 8 years and loved it. The only time I had trouble unhitching was when I did not follow the instructions. You need to wind up the jockey wheel until the coupling is just lifting in the receiver, in other words no trailer weight on the car. The locking bolt in the receiver needs to be left with no contact on the hitch so the hitch can move in the receiver. my new van will have a DO35 Mk3 so am looking forward to the experience.
I have the McHitch and happy with it but, as said, can be difficult to judge when weight in neutral, leaving the pin in till can be wriggled is a great idea (or I missed that in the instructions). Great video but the cost...... sheesh
Yes, cost is high, but given it's a one-time purchase well worth it for me as hitching or unhitching now is a matter of seconds in any terrain so far I absolutely love it.
I've used the now defunct Hyland Coupling on both a caravan and a camper trailer. I found it to be simple and robust. The one on the camper trailer has been used for 14 years without a problem. Just some grease now and then. It's sad they stopped manufacturing as we now have these over complicated and expensive alternatives. Plus I still use a 50mm ball and don't have to change the hitch for my other trailers.
Only go off road / off grid. Have had to hitch and un hitch in bogged situations on uneven terrain. Touch wood, have never had a problem. Goes in like a 👍🏻 up a bottom and comes out just as easy.
strange, you have the Uniglide not older drop over? Seems like many people have the same issues I had if you read the comments. Glad it works for you though thats what counts
I worry about dirt and grit getting into the autocouple mechanism. I had an early alko pin type coupling with a sealed locking mechanism. Only lasted a few 100ks on dirt and it wouldn't lock on. Alko has stopped selling them in Australia. With DO35 you can see the locking slide and easily clean it if needed.
can’t see how you can get dirt in there it’s sealed and you need to grease it and can give it a flush with grease. As long as you keep tow ball cover on and plug in the hitch when not in use you should have no sand ingress as once connected it’s fully sealed. I guess time will tell but so far even after a week on Fraser all good
@@AlloffroadAu Alko was also sealed but filled up with dust while hooked up to 4x4 on Outback roads. Big difference was it didn't have a greasing point. So only way to get it to lock onto the car was to flood coupling with WD40. But this only lasted a few 100ks more and then would uncouple but not auto lock back on. Soon ran out of WD40 🙃Sent it back and have been using DO35 for several years now, no issue other than occasional groaning noise from side bearings needing lube.
The Hitch ezy looks like an excellent product. Do they make a lower capacity hitch ezy that is compatable with the same ball? Never mind they are already out of stock.
Stefan, thanks for the great summary. I am looking at replacing my 5 years old McHitch as I too have become a little frustrated with the issues you have noted. Yes, looking at DO35 and Hitch-Ezy. But, DO35 is $450 shipped to my door and Hitch-Ezy now costs $1,290! I think I may lean towards the former. Also, Hitch-Ezy has NO stock of any of their products available for purchase- perils of a low volume operator or something else?
Id go HitchEzi as it’s a one off purchase yes smaller australian manufacturer means can have longer lead times especially if product is in demand I’m still 💯 happy and i’m very glad I made the switch. I don’t like that DO35 is open especially after Fraser I love that Hitchezi is completely enclosed.
@@AlloffroadAu The DO35 V3 Plus has a redesigned cap which when clipped down, completely seals the latching mechanism from foreign objects. Personally I can’t see how they are then any less “sealed” than HitchEzy (forget water immersion as they’re both not water-proof), and it’s like $20 to replace the cap so a cheap spare to carry. I also kind of like the fact that you can inspect, clean and service the latch with little trouble on the DO35. Interesting logic you have to reconcile your purchase but it’s good to have choice.
Just stick with what you know. I've used the AT35 and DO35 hitches from Cruisemaster over the past 20 years on our Tvan and had no probs, so I use a DO35 on our offroad caravan. Australian made as well. Haven't used the McHitch but the physics look the same as a DO35.
McHitch and DO35 have completely different Physics. HitchEzy has similar Physics but has the advantage of auto-locking and no dust ingress from the top plus a revers in to option. However, if I had a DO35 which works, I would also not change it for the sake of it. If I'm in the market for a new Hitch HitchEzy anytime.
i think for a small camper trailers you can't really beat a poly block coupling for value and functionality. with it adjusted to the right height and the help of a stick or a piece of cardboard to hold the poly block level you can back straight onto it. and if the trailer is moveable you can just back the hitch up next to it and swing the block sideways into the hitch. it becomes less easy with larger immovable trailers but you will always be able to hitch up. and they've got over 76yrs of use and australian production behind them.
When I was in the army we used pintle hitches and tow hooks on the trailers. They were very simple and I can’t recall ever letting us down whilst travelling around Australia. What are thoughts on this system?
Pintles are great for what they are and I’ve used them extensively but they are noisy compared to modern offerings which people don’t seem to like (me included). Apart from that they are easy to use and secure, but if you don’t like a big clunk every time you go over a bump I’d look for something else. I use the DO35 now.
Mchitch all day long, ill buy yours off you as i cant get another. I have a camera down the barrel can line it up every time, 2 mins hook up and im off.
Good review, but horse’s for course’s as they say, I prefer the D035, the price is right and it works extremely well, it has been proven in ‘rollovers’ not to let go. I have been using the D035 now for 4 years on our ‘Around Aust Trip’.
yes whatever works for you is good, I just heard of a few DO35 getting clocked up with dirt etc so I like the fully sealed Hitch Ezy a little better but the price is nearly double .
@@AlloffroadAu We have had no issues with dirt clogging, I like the positive locking system and no tools needed to work the hitch, we met some people in Katherine who were involved in a Van rollover, D035 stayed locked, no damage to the vehicle which stayed upright.. I have the photos of the incident..
I’ve got the auto coupler mchitch, running for 6 years now, never had an issue. Runs 200kg ball weight all the time NO other hitch has the back in and auto lock design, super simple design, you just have no idea how to use it obviously No news is good news, only the failures get brought up
Yea, fortunately, I know how to use the Hitch Ezy and looking at the comments here, I was not alone with McHitch issues. With 200kg ball weight, you likely will be in caravan parks and tar roads and as I stated in the video the McHitch is easy then (still not a good design from an engineering point shifting the weight from the tow ball in between the car and trailer onto a uni joint. McHitch is gone now away likely for a reason.
Nice, but way too exxy. Not to mention, has a similar problem to the Cruisemaster products, and McHitch for that matter, you need to have a different ball/attachment for it to work. Great in theory but when you have multiple trailers, removing balls to replace with hitch pins/attachments or with a different shank entirely, can be/is a pain. Not so bad on the shocker hitch (vehicle mounted) we have, but still an extra expense to make it ease of use. Ark XO hitch is probably one of the better ones to retain use of the standard 50mm ball setup without compromising articulation.
i actually like that you need a different attachment one reason I choose McHitch initially and now Hitch Ezy as it is a good casual thief deterrent, however, I can see this being a bit extra work if you have different trailers. Personally, i just have a different tongue and tow pillar for different trailers but I see how that could be a hassle. I had an unexpected trailer release with an Ark off-road hitch on my Mission Camper Trailer so won't be going near them again
Thanks for your views on the the D035 and the Hitch-Ezy. I'm in the process of swapping out my 50mm ball with one of these 2. I see you have done a video showing you swapping out the McHitch with the Hitch-Ezy....... where can I find that video please? I'm also wondering if the mounting bolt holes of a 50mm ball would line up with the D035 and Hitch-Ezy.... any ideas on that? Thankyou :)
Sorry never release a video about the changeover, it's pretty straightforward though just need a torque wrench. Mounting holes did like up but I needed a different hitch receiver as you need enough room to mount the bigger pillar and you need room around it for the hitch.
I'm curious why not just use a pintle hitch. Very strong and reliable. I have never used one of these complicated looking hitches so I do not about them. I would think it would be hard to beat the articulation of a pintle and keep the overall strength for off road.
As an former grunt soldier, I can tell you why; noise. They are incredibly tough and simple (like us!) but they bang on every bump like holy hell. And I am not exaggerating at all.... :-0
I am a bit confused about you. Keep raving on about 35inch tyres on your vehicle!!!! . Just how does this affect hooking up and un hooking. you have to raise the trailer to the height of the hitch post how doest 35 inch tyres affect that????????. If you have your trailer set up correctly and level , you only need to raise it above the hitch post so it doesn't matter if you have 12 inch or 40 inch tyres on your vehicle.
hm you must be easily confused then, on flat ground, no issue but depending on the levels and sloop of the car and trailer on uneven ground you can struggle to get enough height from the jockey wheel to raise the trailer high enough for a drop-over hitch. There have been instances where I need a block of wood under the jockey wheel to be able to raise it high enough with a drop-over hitch. Bigger Tyres and Lift = higher tow bar pillar = need more travel in jockey wheel (which is limited) pretty simple, really. The Cruiser is my remote touring vehicle hence it has 35" and it sometimes doubles as a family camper, and still has 35".
Good to know! mate looking at your hybrid you would likely want that levelled on even ground as I said McHitch is the only hitch who has 50/50 split between people having issue and people having no issues. Important is it works for you.
I've been using a ark xo extreme hitch, it's very similar to the new mc hitch but you still use your 50mm ball , it's a pretty good hitch and having the standard ball makes it easy to use on different vehicles . something to have a look at.
Agree with your comments. We had a McHitch and were so frustrated getting it unhooked that we also went with the HitchEzy. I also found the HitchEzy felt more stable when towing compared to the McHitch.
Don't you need to lift the hitch right up to remove it from the pin? So if you're lifting it up high anyway, then the height reason doesn't matter??? I'll stick with my DO35, now I have a camera better positioned in my Ranger to see the top better..........$500 is $500.....
Hi All I would like to share some info on the Hitch Ezy hitch.. We have just returned from Ningaloo Station, Where our you beaut 5 tonne Hitch Ezy took a dive. We were on our way out of the station (about 60km of total Cr&p neglected track) when our hitch bent at about a 40' angle. We limped down to the station and left the van there all by its self. We travelled into Exmouth to pick up our old DO45 which we had overnighted to Exmouth. We took our old hitch out to fit it to no avail as the bolt holes did not line up and I did not have the resources to redrill it there. I used parts from both hitches to make one which got us back to Exmouth where we had a few heated discussions with the inventor of the Hitch Ezy and he finally and reluctantly decided to send us a replacement hitch (which he wants back along with the broken one). He has told me that his hitch would not be suitable for our van and perhaps I should fit something else. I will be calling the factory on Monday as to where we can go from here...Perhaps a McHitch ?? Cheers Phil
This is quite misleading what you are quoting here is something from 2012 and was a bent longitudinal shaft, which is the only failure I could find. I know a little more details about that failure and it's not as straightforward as you describe. In this case, various other towing components made by other manufacturers (Haymann Reese and Vehicle Components) were involved and likely a bit of abuse. Hitch-Ezy has since made changes and strengthened that part, even though from the engineering point the old version was sufficient.
*RESPONSE FROM HITCH EZY* -------------------------------------------------------- The letter from Phil that Colin Marshal has posted is not an accurate record of my dealings with Phil in 2012. Phil had damaged Hayman Reese and Vehicle Components towing products prior to receiving a Hitch-Ezy coupling through Spinifex. His record of submitting towing products to unreasonable loads continued when he used Hitch-Ezy. The bending of the main shaft is most likely due to negotiating a severe road dip such that the towing vehicle is coming up from the dip while the van is going down into it and while a heavy-duty weight distribution system was connected. Phil was provided with a replacement hitch at no cost and massive urgent-airfreight costs to Hitch-Ezy. Phil then decided he did not want the replacement coupling and we requested the return of both damaged and undamaged couplings at our expense. We also reimbursed Spinifex for the cost of the coupling they supplied and which he subsequently damaged. The undamaged coupling has subsequently been sold by Phil and he has refused to return those funds to Hitch-Ezy! I did advise Phil that he should try another brand of coupling as he was adamant that the failure of multiple products was unrelated to his mode of driving. There was nothing additional I could offer to meet his unrealistic demands. This 2012 coupling was made by Withers Engineering and was fully ADR 62/02 compliant. Hitch-Ezy has, for some years now, been made by Yann Engineering. The current 5 tonne model has a larger diameter longitudinal shaft than the earlier Withers’ model and it will tolerate significantly higher forces than those specified in ADR 62/02. A shaft of any diameter will bend or fail if subjected to an unreasonable load. Phil’s is the only instance of shaft bending that I am aware of and I know of no case of shaft failure in a Hitch-Ezy coupling. Colin Marshall is welcome to phone me to discuss what actually occurred in 2012. John Allsop Director Hitch-Ezy Pty Ltd.
yea very old school, easy to hitch but no lateral movement so could take the car with you if the trailer rolls (probably not with a lightweight trailer)
I've been using McHitch on three different trailers over the last four years and have never experienced what this guy did. I have connected and disconnected at up to a 90 degree angle to the trailer. Forst, you must lube the hitch with a dry lube spray, which he apparently did not do) and second McHitch is not out of business. The US distributor has hundreds of them in stock and the c=factory is producing then as it has been for years. The Australian website was temporarily closed because the owner had a health problem, but McHitch is doing fine. This fellow is just plain incorrect and misleading in his report. Too bad.
Good that it worked for you. You probably tow a Caravan. I like to blame it on user error; however, unfortunately, there are many, many more people with the same issue, so there must be some truth to it (just look at the mechanics and how it operates. The shortcomings are quite evident. My original drop-down McHitch never had these issues either, and nor have I had it again since using the HitchEzy. When making the video, the website was not just down. McHitch issued a statement at the time that they closed down, which was widely distributed within the Industry. www.caravancampingsales.com.au/editorial/details/mchitch-couplings-shuts-up-shop-139631/ . It does seem that McHitch has been sold and is now run from QLD though. I can only say I'm not looking back since having the HitchEzi is more expensive but, in every regard, a superior product.
Word on the wire... he closed due to lots of claims and defects starting to come in... closed down and cut his responseablity and liability. A good manufacturer would have a recall. Which needs to be forced now and soon to not have deaths and injuries. Never liked or got the design personally. Drop on has always been the best design for strength and hitching. The new one looks good. The do35 is junk for hitching and seen many struggling for way too long getting it to hitch. They were long term users too that just don't get it some times they hated it.
yep I heard the same rumours and it would make sense because if you have a good running business without issues it would be easy to sell especially in the current market.
The McHitch is a bad design. It is a uni joint design which is best suited for twisting forces. not horizontal ,vertical or lateral forces. I watched a family take 6 attempts to hitch the McHitch on their camper, while we were camping next to them at a caravan park. Lots of yelling and frustration. The Hitch-ezy is far more adaptive and a lot more user friendly as it only takes 1 person to do it, and is far more beneficial too holy matrimony.
Great Video! Ive been running the 5ton HitchEzy for 2 years now on my 7500lb camper. ZERO issues. I wanted a problem free hitch, full articulation, quality build with no cast parts, simple operation and something easy to hitch up,. This fits all the bill.
Price is great compared to the high quality build that it provides. Its ART! Settle for no less!
Thanks for sharing! Yep great hitch indeed
I soon got sick of the McHitch. I was trying to hook up quickly, in the dark with low light and I couldn’t hook up. What an idiot I was!
I had the tongue upside down!
Won’t go in!
Yeah I had a few issues on uneven ground.
Now I have a semi off-road caravan I decided to remove the ball hitch to a DO35. Amazing no issues at all.
I have had the Hitchezy on my camper for some years now and in practice it really does make hitching and in-hitching very easy, especially with a rear view camera positioned directly over it.
Couldn't agree with you more, Stefan. I bought my Signature DII 2nd hand, it came with a McHitch, and I very very quickly learned to hate it. As you stated, even the slightest of incompatible angles between the tow vehicle and the hitch made connecting up an absolutely nightmare. I did look at the Hitch-Ezy but the cost was prohibitive for me - the D035 was on special at the time from Outback Equipment for around $400 and I went for it - and couldn't be happier. So much easier for a solo traveller.
Thanks Stefan.
I found the same problem with the polyblock hitch that came with my camper. I switched to the 3.5t AL-KO Off-Road Ball Coupling on the camper trailer and back to the 50mm ball on my tow bar. Easy to couple and uncouple under all conditions I've come across so far and the 50mm tow ball is universal.
Thanks for sharing
have used of these on my camper now for the last 6 years and your spot on it can be your best friend on dead even ground or be your worst nightmare when its unlevelled or has the slightest bit of pressure on it
Excellent video. I have a signature Elite X with a McHitch. I have found the McHitch really good to use, however I did find on a recent trip to a caravan park where we were on uneven ground that it was very frustrating to get hitched. The explanation you have provided now makes me understand why I was having so much trouble. Thanks heaps.
Thanks for sharing!
I towed a camper trailer with a McHitch hitch and I agree with your point of view. It was a very frustrating exercise to hitch and unhitch. I'm now using a Cruise Master DO35 coupling on a different caravan and have no complaints. I've been aware of the Hitch Ezy but have never seen it in action until your video. Thanks for sharing.
Good review. Very clear and straight-forward display of the Hitch-Ezy features. 👍
Glad it was helpful!
Had a McHitch auto coupler on my other caravan which I have just sold. I never had a problem with the lever releasing - it was hard sometimes - the problem I had was never knowing the height to wind the van UP to drive off smoothly. The auto coupler protrusion could flip up or down if you didn't get it right as you slowly drove off. The original drop on McHitch was the better choice which I had previously, but decided to go with the auto coupler after seeing it win the hitch shoot out in one of the 4WD magazines. I'm now running a DO35 - happy with it - however you have to be fairly precise while backing under it, otherwise the coupling tends to pivot as you lower the van.
Love my two 76mm pintles one is military on a Haulmark 2.2 ex army the other is a 3.5tonne trailer noisy but not bad awesome to connect and functionality
I have had the same issues trying to un hitch. However once lubed up it works like a dream.
Like you I got rid of my McHitch auto coupler after I had the same experience as you.
I've had my Hitch Ezy since 2016, on my 5t Chevy Silverado and 3.5t Bushtracker .
I've installed an electric jockey leg similar to the Blackjack, but have modified it to operate via a cordless winch remote control.
This enables me to single handedly hitch up from the driver's seat.
I have a video on my RUclips channel showing how I do this.
We had a McHitch AutoCoupler on our 13' Hybrid we owned 3+ years and did 30000 km through deserts , mountains and tropics. No big issues coupling and uncoupling most time. Biggest issue was fine sand of our desert getting in the coupling, a few times it would not uncouple without a bit of bump to dislodge, and last trip the little spring that holds handle up for uncoupling also jammed with sand, spent an hour disassembling and reassembling it (including PTFE spray), and it was good as gold for the new owner.
So plenty of PTFE, CLEAN WORKINGS and get the right level and it hitches on most awkward angle within reason (and wheels chocked, hand brake useless!) And hitching (that little yellow flag is brilliant) was a breeze.
But one warning, we had one time when it came unhitched at 90kph. As far as we can workout, someone had removed the k pin holding the hitch pin in whilst parked in Yass whilst we had Breakfast. A few hours later the hitch pin had worked its way out, and then it just took a bump for the lever to release the tapered pin and front of Hybrid was hanging by the chains. We pulled over safely, but the road took the bottom of front bolts, with nuts off, and a few marks on the yokes so we replaced the whole hitch (thanks Wagga Caravans, had one in stock and back on the road by days end).
So moral here is always use the keyed hitch lock, just in case you encounter one of those meddling dickheads whilst parked enjoying one of our country towns (yes we found out later the k pin wasn't the only thing tampered with)
thanks for sharing; yea way too much effort for me. Hitching and unhitching are the last and first part of the trip when you want to get going or start to set up and that should not take more than a minute. I can imagine the dust and sand ingress issues and can't see myself cleaning the hitch after each dusty drive. Will see how Hitch Ezy goes, but given it's pretty much sealed, I can't see many issues, nor have I heard of any.
Appreciate and value your view. I loved the idea of the Mchitch but my engineering brain had doubts...
Glad I never bought one. our new rig came with a DO35 and I like it. hitchezy looks good and i hope they sell heaps.
Yes, I agree. The McHitch is great on level ground, but like you I have wasted a lot of time and sworn a lot when it is uneven or even in my slightly sloping driveway. Looks like I'll need to look at the Hitch-Ezy. What the heck, it's only my kids' inheritance I'll be spending!
Hi, had a McHitch on my pod trailer for some time now, had Joe at McHitch install, he was excellent , that being said I agree with your comments , the trailer is fairly light so I can get around the lever issue, thanks for the excellent review.
Thanks for sharing
That was a great review thank you👍 I have a highly modified jeep and I purchased this year a teardrop trailer which I put a lift kit on and installed 33 inch tall tires to give me plenty of clearance my next step is to install a hitch, here in the United States it’s hard to find the same hitch you have but your video has helped me make a decision, Enjoy your adventures👍👍👍
Glad it was helpful!
Great Video, thank you for sharing. I had a McHitch here in the USA and had similar experiences. Been running the HitchEZY for a year now. Far superior. There’s a DBA still selling McHitch here and people think it’s still being manufactured, some people you just can’t reach.
Thanks for the info! I saw someone here in OZ advertising the US version go figure! I wonder if they make them in the US now? I'm certainly not alone in my experience which is good to know. Cheers to the US
@@AlloffroadAu I just bought one, I believe it was manufactured in and shipped from AU. They are in demand though, and you need to contact them if you want one and just see what the wait time, if any, may be.,
I purchased a McHitch 5 yrs ago. Had the same issues hitching. I travel 3 mths of the yr in a caravan. I was about to remove it but I did more research. I had the have the van higher then the car and adjust the jockey to release or place the handle in correct position, still time consuming to get the correct height. I totally agree with you and now looking at a hitch ezy. Thanks for your quality information
Thank you for sharing, having my trailer higher than my lifted 4wd and 35" would be hard. I'm sure I could have fine-tuned my McHitch hitching if I used the trailer more often and spent more time fiddling around, but way to much effort for something which should be a quick operation. Given there are so much easier and stronger options out there. I don't know any other hitch who has a 50/50 split between good and bad I recon that says something. Hitch-Ezy I could not find a single bad review besides one guy from 2012. DO35 has a split of maybe 97/3 Positive/Negative. McHitch with a 50/50 split shows that it's just not a user-friendly hitch.
We run the DO35 and DO45 on all the farm trailers. Bought a new camper which came with the McHitch and it was horrible in comparison to the DO35. So gave it a flick and back to happy hitching.
Thank you for yet another good info video. I have been using a Hyland Hitch on our off road 18" caravan for about 10 years. They couple up like the hitch easy but even more simple and it was hand made in Brisbane. Unfortunately they just stopped making them and wouldn't sell their business.
Right on! Yea a few people mentioned the Hyland hitch I don't think I have ever seen one.
I have an EliteX and have experienced EXACTLY the same issues.
But doubt I can afford the Hitch-Easy
A good report.
Good video as usual. Keep these coming! Had my McHitch for 18 months and have had a few times of frustration. Over time I am improving my technique. It helps a lot to adjust the knob out a bit. I typically hitch solo and it's a lot easier with the McHitch I find. My biggest problem is it twisting on the tow bar tongue. Those little side tabs which are mean to keep it strait are not the best. The Hitch Ezy looks a little tricky to un hitch without two hands. Yes there is the pin but these are all more bits to keep track of and not loose. Will keep it in mind for me next van, if I can afford it.
Yep, I broke the side tabs on the McHitch the first time backing in my narrow driveway; that was the start of my issues.
@@AlloffroadAu how lol?
reversing back in a tight angle, not anywhere close to Jackknifing
@@AlloffroadAu I don't see how this would cause the locating tabs to fail unless you bound up the universal
me neither mate but thats what happened, Signature replaced them
Love your videos. Very informative and instructive
Thank you!
Great report, knew nothing about these hitches but do now, looking to get a camper trailer in the future and this video was so helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
Man the hitch ezy looks amazing, easy to hitch and look good design. Also doesn't need to be perfectly lined up to pop on. Thanks for the video and new product.
Thanks 👍
I have been running the Hitch Ezy on my caravan for Over 4years now and as you have stated hitching up and unhitching could not be any easier. I am glad I spent the extra money. Highly recommend these hitches
Thanks for sharing
Great video as always Stephen. I've currently got a Drifta DOT trailer which has an OZ Hitch on it. A bit like the McHitch, the weight is on the uni joint rather than the tow bar. Been looking at options for replacement and was considering the McHitch. Will definitely look at the Hitch Ezy now I can see why you chose it.
yea mate still love it hitching unhitching could not be easier no matter the terrain
What do you reckon why McHitch closed down? Share your hitch experiences below. John from Hitch Ezy mentioned he will look after my subscribers, if you are in a market for a Hitch you can Contact the inventor at hitch-ezy@bigpond.com and mention AllOffroad for the best possible deal
www.hitch-ezy.com.au/
He’s shut down due to illness unfortunately
@Ray Zor sorry to hear that, wouldn't you sell the business though and not just shut down? Plenty of companies specialised in doing that for you.
I had a hitch ezy on my van and it was excellent. Aussie made, high quality and so easy to use. Agree with everything you said 👍
@@AlloffroadAu I’d have thought so but I think he was almost a one man band and so much of the knowledge was with him so any buyer works probably have wanted a long handover period where he still had to be on deck which I don’t think he is able to do
Another quality video!
Thanks again!
Ive been using the McHitch for a couple of years and feel your pain. However, i recently lubricated the hitch and went from frustration to elation. What a world of difference. Just when i was about to give up and change, the one man back up and hitch is what i much prefer. The ARK XO Extreme 750 jockey wheel on the other hand has to be one of the worst and falsely advertized jockey wheels ever. man they are shit and have nearly broken my legs on a couple of ocasions. Have replaced it twice due to bending failure and am looking for a better solution.
yea my one was brand new and well lubricated but I still hated it
The McHitch is now distributed under arrangement by Aus Hitch in Caboolture in QLD.
And they did have a drop on hitch
Yeah, at the time, it wasn't offered by Signature, so I went with the newer version I wasn't that happy with. I never had an issue with the drop hitch.
Thanks vid a thorough review Stefan. The only issue I can see with the hitch ezy, is the lack of a good anti theft locking function. Just a paddock wouldn't cut the mustard. Thanks for sharing
yea if someone wants it he gets it but keep in mind you also need the specific tow pillar can’t just use a generic tow ball so it’s a reasonable deterrent for a casual thief.
At first I found that this was a problem, but I now have a Kovix brand hitch lock that fits (not perfectly as intended) that is as effective as a block to theft. I also use an alarmed cable around the trailer’s wheel. As has been pointed out, the specific tow pillar must make it difficult for a thief.
Great video.
Thanks!
Got one on my FF CAMPER, YOU CAN BACK UP INTO IT ON ANY ANGLE. DEFO USER ERROR HAHA. Never had a problem in 4years and 40000kms.
lol could be, but as you can read in the comments, quite a few people with the same user errors luckily, there is a way stronger and better hitch out there. If you look at feedback for hitches like DO35 you have maybe 5% problems McHitch seems to be closer to 50/50 and that says something. I recon McHitch is out of business for a reason.
@@AlloffroadAu thats true, mate 🤙
One thing I'll say about the DO35, you only have to lift it about 50mm and you can easily tilt the head to drive into it.
Awesome hitch
Cheers Rory
PS you have another subscriber.
Thanks for the sub!
Another great video mate. Love the look of this hitch.
We are looking for a new hitch for our trailers. You might have just sold us on this one 👌🤙
Check it out mate, I never thought I could get that excited about a hitch but that thing is brilliant.
We bush camp all the time and have never had the issues you talk about with the McHitch. Regularly spray with CRC Dry Glide.
That's good, mate seems to be mixed experiences. If I go by the comments a lot of people have issues some have not. Hitch Ezy is 100% no issues, so the better option for me, I definitely have not looked back after switching.
@@AlloffroadAu The Hitch Ezy does look good and I may get one on our next caravan. I switched to a McHitch from a Treg poly block hitch after seeing a failure with one of them.
Just be aware when researching my new hitch, I came across a lot of failures of the McHitch. Word in Lithgow is that besides a medical issue, the reason for shutting down where issues with overseas part qualities and failures. Which would explain why the company has not been sold.
I have the Hitch Ezy coupling that I use with my camper trailer and initially had the same problem when connecting to the trailer, it wouldn't fully engage. A friend then tells me to spray the pin with silicon spray (as well as keeping the hitch clean, as you should) and it just glides into place now without a problem.
dirt and dust tends to stick to silicon and would be very hard to keep a McHitch out of the dust the way it is designed, however at long as it works and you clean after every trip. Hitch Ezy is completely sealed so should have far less issues with dust ingress.
Always.....ALWAYS..... use the cover and dummy pillar when you aren't coupled up.
They will ensure NO dust can get on the pillar or inside the receiver.
Absolutely no need for silicon spray.
Keep the grease up to it too.
Beautiful engineering on the Hitch EZY
It sure is! Aussie ingenuity at it's best and all manufactured here from Australian materials
excellent reveiw thanks
Thanks for watching!
Great review
had exactly this happen with my mchitch up at fraser island couldn"t get the handle to lock on thought it was me now i know different spent an hour in the rain trying to get it to work what a pain and a waste of good money !!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Stefan, this design is very similar to the ARK Off-road Coupling that fits to a standard 50mm towball for less than half the money. I fitted one to my caravan and it gave me Flawless results
very different design in every way, I had a Ark OffRoad hitch with tow ball still lost my Mission Trailer which uncoupled unexpected after a bit of flex so personally would not run a tow ball hitch anymore.
@@AlloffroadAu
Hi Stefan, thanks for the reply/comment.
Disagree with your assessment of the McHitch. I have had to disconnect a camper trailer off road in a very difficult position and was able to do that with the McHitch. I really think it comes down to how you use it. I also have a Ezy hitch on another trailer and it is excellent. I have a DO35 on another camper trailer and at times find it more difficult to disconnect than the McHitch.
could well be I only use the trailer a few times a year so maybe it’s practice. On the other hand plenty people with same experience and HitchEzi has non of the issues and has had non of the breakages McHitch has had.
I have a 1st hand experience in a trailer rolling over with a DO35. What people don’t realise is that the safety chains stop the unit rolling over completely and so will force the tow vehicle over as well.
Yea I think a trailer can roll with any Hitch depending on the situation, but it has a bigger chance of rolling with a hitch that articulates less. Hope you and your loved ones are alright, that would be scary.
THANK YOU DETAILED VIDEO
You are welcome!
I was considering a McHitch until I saw your video. I sent an email enquiry in the early afternoon through to Hitch Ezy and in the evening of the same day I received a call from John himself, not an email reply an actual phone call. I was genuinely shocked and pleasantly surprised. After a very informative conversation I will now be installing a Hitch Ezy!
Question - What size tow pin is on your hitch in the video?
I’m sure you will be happy with it I have a 7/8 Tow Pillar
I totally disagree. I had an Auto Coupler for 8 years and loved it. The only time I had trouble unhitching was when I did not follow the instructions. You need to wind up the jockey wheel until the coupling is just lifting in the receiver, in other words no trailer weight on the car. The locking bolt in the receiver needs to be left with no contact on the hitch so the hitch can move in the receiver. my new van will have a DO35 Mk3 so am looking forward to the experience.
you will not Look back once you realise how easy it can be,
I have the McHitch and happy with it but, as said, can be difficult to judge when weight in neutral, leaving the pin in till can be wriggled is a great idea (or I missed that in the instructions). Great video but the cost...... sheesh
Yes, cost is high, but given it's a one-time purchase well worth it for me as hitching or unhitching now is a matter of seconds in any terrain so far I absolutely love it.
There's a pin on the McHitch that you can press with your finger in this situation that makes it close easily.
no, not if there is residual pressure, just look how the McHitch operates no pin can align that
I've used the now defunct Hyland Coupling on both a caravan and a camper trailer. I found it to be simple and robust. The one on the camper trailer has been used for 14 years without a problem. Just some grease now and then.
It's sad they stopped manufacturing as we now have these over complicated and expensive alternatives.
Plus I still use a 50mm ball and don't have to change the hitch for my other trailers.
I actually like that the Hitch-Ezi has a custom tow ball because it makes it a little more difficult to simply hitch on with anyhitch receiver
Just saying, I have never had this issue with the Mchitch, it was a marriage saver.
that’s good mate I guess it all depends on what kind of terrain you hitch out n and off
Only go off road / off grid. Have had to hitch and un hitch in bogged situations on uneven terrain. Touch wood, have never had a problem. Goes in like a 👍🏻 up a bottom and comes out just as easy.
strange, you have the Uniglide not older drop over? Seems like many people have the same issues I had if you read the comments. Glad it works for you though thats what counts
I worry about dirt and grit getting into the autocouple mechanism. I had an early alko pin type coupling with a sealed locking mechanism. Only lasted a few 100ks on dirt and it wouldn't lock on. Alko has stopped selling them in Australia. With DO35 you can see the locking slide and easily clean it if needed.
can’t see how you can get dirt in there it’s sealed and you need to grease it and can give it a flush with grease. As long as you keep tow ball cover on and plug in the hitch when not in use you should have no sand ingress as once connected it’s fully sealed. I guess time will tell but so far even after a week on Fraser all good
@@AlloffroadAu Alko was also sealed but filled up with dust while hooked up to 4x4 on Outback roads. Big difference was it didn't have a greasing point. So only way to get it to lock onto the car was to flood coupling with WD40. But this only lasted a few 100ks more and then would uncouple but not auto lock back on. Soon ran out of WD40 🙃Sent it back and have been using DO35 for several years now, no issue other than occasional groaning noise from side bearings needing lube.
The Hitch ezy looks like an excellent product. Do they make a lower capacity hitch ezy that is compatable with the same ball? Never mind they are already out of stock.
Stefan, thanks for the great summary. I am looking at replacing my 5 years old McHitch as I too have become a little frustrated with the issues you have noted. Yes, looking at DO35 and Hitch-Ezy. But, DO35 is $450 shipped to my door and Hitch-Ezy now costs $1,290! I think I may lean towards the former. Also, Hitch-Ezy has NO stock of any of their products available for purchase- perils of a low volume operator or something else?
Id go HitchEzi as it’s a one off purchase yes smaller australian manufacturer means can have longer lead times especially if product is in demand I’m still 💯 happy and i’m very glad I made the switch. I don’t like that DO35 is open especially after Fraser I love that Hitchezi is completely enclosed.
@@AlloffroadAu The DO35 V3 Plus has a redesigned cap which when clipped down, completely seals the latching mechanism from foreign objects. Personally I can’t see how they are then any less “sealed” than HitchEzy (forget water immersion as they’re both not water-proof), and it’s like $20 to replace the cap so a cheap spare to carry. I also kind of like the fact that you can inspect, clean and service the latch with little trouble on the DO35. Interesting logic you have to reconcile your purchase but it’s good to have choice.
Just stick with what you know. I've used the AT35 and DO35 hitches from Cruisemaster over the past 20 years on our Tvan and had no probs, so I use a DO35 on our offroad caravan. Australian made as well. Haven't used the McHitch but the physics look the same as a DO35.
McHitch and DO35 have completely different Physics. HitchEzy has similar Physics but has the advantage of auto-locking and no dust ingress from the top plus a revers in to option. However, if I had a DO35 which works, I would also not change it for the sake of it. If I'm in the market for a new Hitch HitchEzy anytime.
i think for a small camper trailers you can't really beat a poly block coupling for value and functionality. with it adjusted to the right height and the help of a stick or a piece of cardboard to hold the poly block level you can back straight onto it. and if the trailer is moveable you can just back the hitch up next to it and swing the block sideways into the hitch. it becomes less easy with larger immovable trailers but you will always be able to hitch up. and they've got over 76yrs of use and australian production behind them.
yea had one once quite a few years ago, it's not something I would be going back to
looks impressive, but for those else where in the world import taxes are going to make this far more expensive sigh
When I was in the army we used pintle hitches and tow hooks on the trailers. They were very simple and I can’t recall ever letting us down whilst travelling around Australia. What are thoughts on this system?
Could not really comment on it I used a pintle system once on an old army trailer but not much experience with it.
Pintles are great for what they are and I’ve used them extensively but they are noisy compared to modern offerings which people don’t seem to like (me included). Apart from that they are easy to use and secure, but if you don’t like a big clunk every time you go over a bump I’d look for something else. I use the DO35 now.
Mchitch all day long, ill buy yours off you as i cant get another. I have a camera down the barrel can line it up every time, 2 mins hook up and im off.
I have had a TREG for almost 20+ years and never really contemplated changing it.
yep only thing that count's is that it works for you
Good review, but horse’s for course’s as they say, I prefer the D035, the price is right and it works extremely well, it has been proven in ‘rollovers’ not to let go. I have been using the D035 now for 4 years on our ‘Around Aust Trip’.
yes whatever works for you is good, I just heard of a few DO35 getting clocked up with dirt etc so I like the fully sealed Hitch Ezy a little better but the price is nearly double .
@@AlloffroadAu We have had no issues with dirt clogging, I like the positive locking system and no tools needed to work the hitch, we met some people in Katherine who were involved in a Van rollover, D035 stayed locked, no damage to the vehicle which stayed upright.. I have the photos of the incident..
I’ve got the auto coupler mchitch, running for 6 years now, never had an issue. Runs 200kg ball weight all the time
NO other hitch has the back in and auto lock design, super simple design, you just have no idea how to use it obviously
No news is good news, only the failures get brought up
Yea, fortunately, I know how to use the Hitch Ezy and looking at the comments here, I was not alone with McHitch issues. With 200kg ball weight, you likely will be in caravan parks and tar roads and as I stated in the video the McHitch is easy then (still not a good design from an engineering point shifting the weight from the tow ball in between the car and trailer onto a uni joint. McHitch is gone now away likely for a reason.
Have you seen the video on how toyota have actually limitations further than stock when limited?
Nice, but way too exxy. Not to mention, has a similar problem to the Cruisemaster products, and McHitch for that matter, you need to have a different ball/attachment for it to work. Great in theory but when you have multiple trailers, removing balls to replace with hitch pins/attachments or with a different shank entirely, can be/is a pain. Not so bad on the shocker hitch (vehicle mounted) we have, but still an extra expense to make it ease of use. Ark XO hitch is probably one of the better ones to retain use of the standard 50mm ball setup without compromising articulation.
i actually like that you need a different attachment one reason I choose McHitch initially and now Hitch Ezy as it is a good casual thief deterrent, however, I can see this being a bit extra work if you have different trailers. Personally, i just have a different tongue and tow pillar for different trailers but I see how that could be a hassle. I had an unexpected trailer release with an Ark off-road hitch on my Mission Camper Trailer so won't be going near them again
Thanks for your views on the the D035 and the Hitch-Ezy. I'm in the process of swapping out my 50mm ball with one of these 2. I see you have done a video showing you swapping out the McHitch with the Hitch-Ezy....... where can I find that video please? I'm also wondering if the mounting bolt holes of a 50mm ball would line up with the D035 and Hitch-Ezy.... any ideas on that? Thankyou :)
Sorry never release a video about the changeover, it's pretty straightforward though just need a torque wrench. Mounting holes did like up but I needed a different hitch receiver as you need enough room to mount the bigger pillar and you need room around it for the hitch.
I'm curious why not just use a pintle hitch. Very strong and reliable. I have never used one of these complicated looking hitches so I do not about them. I would think it would be hard to beat the articulation of a pintle and keep the overall strength for off road.
As an former grunt soldier, I can tell you why; noise. They are incredibly tough and simple (like us!) but they bang on every bump like holy hell. And I am not exaggerating at all.... :-0
I've Never had a problem with the McHitch on any surface so I'm not sure what you were doing.
probably the wrong thing like the many other people who have similar issues, fortunately there are much easier and better couplers out there.
Have used a DO35 for years ( OEM ) doubt we would ever have a reason to change
also good hitch would have been my second choice
Can the hitcheasy or do35 hitch height be above the 460mm the ball type must be?
I am a bit confused about you. Keep raving on about 35inch tyres on your vehicle!!!! . Just how does this affect hooking up and un hooking.
you have to raise the trailer to the height of the hitch post how doest 35 inch tyres affect that????????.
If you have your trailer set up correctly and level , you only need to raise it above the hitch post so it doesn't matter if you have 12 inch or 40 inch tyres on your vehicle.
hm you must be easily confused then, on flat ground, no issue but depending on the levels and sloop of the car and trailer on uneven ground you can struggle to get enough height from the jockey wheel to raise the trailer high enough for a drop-over hitch. There have been instances where I need a block of wood under the jockey wheel to be able to raise it high enough with a drop-over hitch. Bigger Tyres and Lift = higher tow bar pillar = need more travel in jockey wheel (which is limited) pretty simple, really. The Cruiser is my remote touring vehicle hence it has 35" and it sometimes doubles as a family camper, and still has 35".
Just commenting to say Mchitch are trading. Maybe they were closed when you did your video but right now they are open in Caboolture Qld 🤷♀️
yes I heard, they seem to have been bought. At the time of making video they were closed for good.
You can back into the DO35 as well just like the hitch ezy
can you? That's interesting heard you cant but never tried.
@@AlloffroadAu that's how I was shown to do it on delivery on our camper.
I have mchitch on my hybrid caravan, i find it so easy hitching and unhitching level or not so level ground. 😅
Good to know! mate looking at your hybrid you would likely want that levelled on even ground as I said McHitch is the only hitch who has 50/50 split between people having issue and people having no issues. Important is it works for you.
I've been using a ark xo extreme hitch, it's very similar to the new mc hitch but you still use your 50mm ball , it's a pretty good hitch and having the standard ball makes it easy to use on different vehicles . something to have a look at.
yea I like to not use a ball as it makes theft a little more difficult.
it does look like a really good hitch, whoever made it looks like they took the best of All the other hitches and put it together into there's.
Mate has a McHitch. We have the same issues that you mentioned. A lot of swearing is involved hitching and unhitching.
I find it rather unethical that mchitch have just put a notice on their website and given no real information to their current/existing customers.
yes quite surprising and not the right thing to do
Agree with your comments. We had a McHitch and were so frustrated getting it unhooked that we also went with the HitchEzy. I also found the HitchEzy felt more stable when towing compared to the McHitch.
McHitch did have a " drop on" hitch .
So how much did the " Ezy Hitch" cost you?
from memory, around $800 at media pricing definitely more expensive but haven't regretted it for a second to be honest
Don't you need to lift the hitch right up to remove it from the pin? So if you're lifting it up high anyway, then the height reason doesn't matter??? I'll stick with my DO35, now I have a camera better positioned in my Ranger to see the top better..........$500 is $500.....
it is much easier to place a block of wood under it unhitching with weight on car than other way around
Hi All
I would like to share some info on the Hitch Ezy hitch..
We have just returned from Ningaloo Station, Where our you beaut 5 tonne Hitch Ezy took a dive. We were on our way out of the station (about 60km of total Cr&p neglected track) when our hitch bent at about a 40' angle. We limped down to the station and left the van there all by its self. We travelled into Exmouth to pick up our old DO45 which we had overnighted to Exmouth. We took our old hitch out to fit it to no avail as the bolt holes did not line up and I did not have the resources to redrill it there. I used parts from both hitches to make one which got us back to Exmouth where we had a few heated discussions with the inventor of the Hitch Ezy and he finally and reluctantly decided to send us a replacement hitch (which he wants back along with the broken one). He has told me that his hitch would not be suitable for our van and perhaps I should fit something else.
I will be calling the factory on Monday as to where we can go from here...Perhaps a McHitch ??
Cheers Phil
This is quite misleading what you are quoting here is something from 2012 and was a bent longitudinal shaft, which is the only failure I could find. I know a little more details about that failure and it's not as straightforward as you describe. In this case, various other towing components made by other manufacturers (Haymann Reese and Vehicle Components) were involved and likely a bit of abuse.
Hitch-Ezy has since made changes and strengthened that part, even though from the engineering point the old version was sufficient.
*RESPONSE FROM HITCH EZY*
--------------------------------------------------------
The letter from Phil that Colin Marshal has posted is not an accurate record of my dealings with Phil in 2012. Phil had damaged Hayman Reese and Vehicle Components towing products prior to receiving a Hitch-Ezy coupling through Spinifex. His record of submitting towing products to unreasonable loads continued when he used Hitch-Ezy. The bending of the main shaft is most likely due to negotiating a severe road dip such that the towing vehicle is coming up from the dip while the van is going down into it and while a heavy-duty weight distribution system was connected.
Phil was provided with a replacement hitch at no cost and massive urgent-airfreight costs to Hitch-Ezy. Phil then decided he did not want the replacement coupling and we requested the return of both damaged and undamaged couplings at our expense. We also reimbursed Spinifex for the cost of the coupling they supplied and which he subsequently damaged.
The undamaged coupling has subsequently been sold by Phil and he has refused to return those funds to Hitch-Ezy!
I did advise Phil that he should try another brand of coupling as he was adamant that the failure of multiple products was unrelated to his mode of driving. There was nothing additional I could offer to meet his unrealistic demands.
This 2012 coupling was made by Withers Engineering and was fully ADR 62/02 compliant. Hitch-Ezy has, for some years now, been made by Yann Engineering. The current 5 tonne model has a larger diameter longitudinal shaft than the earlier Withers’ model and it will tolerate significantly higher forces than those specified in ADR 62/02. A shaft of any diameter will bend or fail if subjected to an unreasonable load. Phil’s is the only instance of shaft bending that I am aware of and I know of no case of shaft failure in a Hitch-Ezy coupling.
Colin Marshall is welcome to phone me to discuss what actually occurred in 2012.
John Allsop
Director Hitch-Ezy Pty Ltd.
Why don’t you use a pintle hitch ?
Works for logging trucks ! Off road
yea very old school, easy to hitch but no lateral movement so could take the car with you if the trailer rolls (probably not with a lightweight trailer)
I've been using McHitch on three different trailers over the last four years and have never experienced what this guy did. I have connected and disconnected at up to a 90 degree angle to the trailer. Forst, you must lube the hitch with a dry lube spray, which he apparently did not do) and second McHitch is not out of business. The US distributor has hundreds of them in stock and the c=factory is producing then as it has been for years. The Australian website was temporarily closed because the owner had a health problem, but McHitch is doing fine. This fellow is just plain incorrect and misleading in his report. Too bad.
Good that it worked for you. You probably tow a Caravan. I like to blame it on user error; however, unfortunately, there are many, many more people with the same issue, so there must be some truth to it (just look at the mechanics and how it operates. The shortcomings are quite evident. My original drop-down McHitch never had these issues either, and nor have I had it again since using the HitchEzy. When making the video, the website was not just down. McHitch issued a statement at the time that they closed down, which was widely distributed within the Industry. www.caravancampingsales.com.au/editorial/details/mchitch-couplings-shuts-up-shop-139631/ . It does seem that McHitch has been sold and is now run from QLD though. I can only say I'm not looking back since having the HitchEzi is more expensive but, in every regard, a superior product.
Terrible hitch, it took me 15 minutes on level asphalt but coming in on an angle to hitch properly. They've gone out of business now.
They look to have gone out of business now as well. Edit, should have watched to the end....
Hitch-Ezy???? NO definitely not www.hitch-ezy.com.au/
McHitch but i commented before getting to the end of the video
ah yep
I'm going to add the link to my home page and look them up when I get back home
P r o m o s m 🌸
Well the hitch will outlast the chinese trailer!
lol it likely will
@@AlloffroadAu haha, glad you could see the humour …… great hitch though!
Word on the wire... he closed due to lots of claims and defects starting to come in... closed down and cut his responseablity and liability.
A good manufacturer would have a recall. Which needs to be forced now and soon to not have deaths and injuries.
Never liked or got the design personally. Drop on has always been the best design for strength and hitching.
The new one looks good. The do35 is junk for hitching and seen many struggling for way too long getting it to hitch. They were long term users too that just don't get it some times they hated it.
yep I heard the same rumours and it would make sense because if you have a good running business without issues it would be easy to sell especially in the current market.
The McHitch is a bad design. It is a uni joint design which is best suited for twisting forces. not horizontal ,vertical or lateral forces.
I watched a family take 6 attempts to hitch the McHitch on their camper, while we were camping next to them at a caravan park. Lots of yelling and frustration.
The Hitch-ezy is far more adaptive and a lot more user friendly as it only takes 1 person to do it, and is far more beneficial too
holy matrimony.