Nice overview. We absolutely love our DO35. Easiest and most robust hitch we’ve ever used in 40 years of towing. The new EZ looks nice too. Those Aussies make some great hitches.
I replaced my normal ball coupler with a Lock 'n Roll to pull my ATV wagon behind my SXS. Great flexibility, and I know it's not going to pop off over rough terrain.
I’ve had PolyBlock for 21 years without issues, maybe mine was a better quality as it doesn’t flop about like the one demonstrated. Now I’m not saying there’s better hitches, just saying it’s simple and has proven its worth crossing sand and stony deserts here in Australia without fail fail. Good video tho guys, appreciated. 😎👍
Have you seen the AL-KO articulating ball coupling. It lets you keep a standard ball on the vehicle, but is fully articulating for offroad use. It is exceptionally easy to hitch solo, and has a positive locking mechanism. Another one I've seen is the Ozhitch, but not so familar with that - but also designed for full articulation and easy hitching.
This was great! I have the max coupler on my camper, but have been curious about the other options. I’ve had no issues with the max coupler so far tho.
I've got the poly block on my new camper trailer and it was easy to hitch up, the hardest part is making sure the hight was right, but reverse camera on my 4x4 looks down so lining it up is really easy and I never had an issue doing this even when coming in on an angle. The only issue with my current setup is the hitch is too low but I'm looking at different tongues to level the trailer better, this might include using a different hitch so the spare wheel which is mounted to the back door isn't hit and I can still open the door some of the way.
With the exception of the poly block, being slightly more inconvenient to attach to the tow vehicle, it has an advantage that none of the others have, which is a level of shock absorbing properties from the Polly block it self. I think on a light trailer like the one you demonstrated on the DO 35 where you can manually lift it. The poly block is better.
I would like to know which hitch operates the quietest and if there are any restrictions when backing up. My old sway bar hitch drove me crazy with all the poping and squecking. Thanks
I agree the Cruisemaster and McHitch appear to be the most robust units. I would purchase either one with confidence. However, I would always have some penetrating oil and brake clean on hand always to clean and lubricate the moving parts in all hitches. Not much different maintenance than a ball hitch in fact. You ball hitch guys: You DO maintain your couplers, RIGHT?
Had d035 hitch fail, split at the rear, leaving the front two bolts to do the work. I hadn’t noticed the split for probably 6-12 months, I dont really know. It was denied warranty because the trailer manufacturer likely installed it incorrectly (likely not tightened to spec). I will say its the best trailer hitch I’ve used for far. I like my max coupler but its not as easy to couple as the cruisemaster.
Good review; thanks for the info on various options out there. Just yesterday I replaced my McHitch with a DO35 due to the McHitch business recently closing down. Their issues mainly related to universal joint failure which I experienced 5 years ago. DO35 is a great product and the biggest seller of its type, (Off Road Use) in Oz. McHitch was so easy to connect without help other than from a rear view camera. DO35 is better engineered IMO.
I’m just about to remove the 5-year old McHitch from my Kimberley Kruiser and install DO35. The McHitch has been great and easy to use but with them closing shop and potential failure I didn’t want to take the risk.
It'd be interesting to see Lovell's Haulace and the OZHitch couplers included. For all the praise on the DO35/45, I wish Cruisemaster would make something rated higher that could safely handle the HQ19. The video mentions the Hitch-Ezy is coming to America. Will you be a distributor and do you have a timeline for their arrival?
Ive been using the DO35 for years . A couple of circuits around Australia on a variety of road surfaces. Haven't had a single issue in that time . Like anything i keep it clean and lubricated . Swear by this hitch from Cruisemaster .
My poly block is the original Trigg Bros another Aussie product (no longer made) over 25 years old I can reverse straight into it with a reverse camera not floppy at all, I wish I had the camera 25 years ago. I made the wife lose her mind guiding me in. The Mchitch looks good it runs a Landcruiser universal.
Unfortunately, McHitch has gone out of business earlier this year. There actually were issues with the Uni-joint failure that owners were reporting. I have one and am moving to DO35. HitchEzy is great but AU$1300 is a bit too rich for me.
A good overview of commonly available designs, but it might have been better to start with the basics then show the specific designs. The basics are that - every hitch must allow rotation in all three axes: yaw (turning corners), pitch (nose up and down), and roll - these non-ball hitches have a separate pivot pin for each of the three axes (and you can point to them at the beginning of each design's section)
I would totally buy one of those old polyblock hitches from your graveyard if it was still good. I'm looking for an old M416 military jeep trailer to pull with my Samurai,, The poly block would be perfect for me with that tiny trailer. Interested in helping a Marine Vet on a budget?
Ive been using mchitch for decades and my brothers as well. Can hitch without getting out of the car just using the rev camera. Even if it saves just once of not getting out of the car its worth it. Buy the lube spray they suggest youll end up using it for everything.
I personally think the Cruisemaster is great for small to medium sized units with jockey wheels because it allows you that movement to get it lined up just right. However, the McHitch just seems superior for any large trailers, especially ones without jockey wheels. So easy to hook up!
All hitches articulate - this is about alternatives to a ball-and-socket hitch which provide a greater degree of articulation in the roll and pitch axes.
Can't beat a pintle and lunette ring hitch, aka a NATO hitch, easiest to hitch up, no need for secondary couplings, it cannot come apart if correctly closed, Full articulation, ie over 200°/2000°/360° rotation. Hitch far exceeds the vehicle tow weights so perfect. :-)
I think there biggest issue in “civilian” use is that they’re noisy and performance in reversing scenario in not as good, but other than that they are simple, robust and need very little maintenance - perfect for military application.
Since this video the Mchitch has become unavailable. Pity as it was a good hitch but not without its issues. Hitchezy is great but bloody expensive. I run the DO35 now and am very happy with it.
Sounds like they kept failing. Can't have that in oz mate. Look up the Nullarbor plain. Can't have a breakdown like that out there. Nor in the red centre
Is anyone making a hitch that is simply a ball hitch that simply rotates? Many trailers have welded ball receivers that are not easily changed. If a ball was simply put on a U joint it seems that it would sell.
Got some bad news concerning the McHitch, they have closed down and at this stage gone out of business, could be something to do with all this Covid-19 shutdowns. Hopefully they can get up and running again, but doesn't look good for this hitch.
That mchitch looks shady. All the weight is on the uni? Move ball weight back off the vehicle more? Extra slop joint? Looks like it'd be a nightmare to hitch at the beach or forrest on uneven surface. Even seen reviews of bent pins, failed unis, hard to get that locking lever released etc etc. Ive had my poly block for over 15 years, i just left it on my tounge and have had no issues. Is this just propaganda for selling other hitchs? Sure it might be hard to hitch, but i havent seen any fail. So yeh.
Maybe I’ll just cut down my PTO shaft from my tractor and turn it into a hitch, these things are way too difficult to hook up, even if they work well once hooked up I don’t have the patience to jack around with my hitch for 20 minutes just trying to hook up. You guys have way over thunk this.Too many moving parts maybe just go back to the old pintle hitch and figure out a way to make it quiet. These things wouldn’t be worth the cost of shipping if they gave them away
the polyblock is the best hitch in this whole video, you don't need somebody else to hold your poly block you just put a folded piece of cardboard in it, or a leaf or a stick. for small trailers you just back up next to the block and pull the trailer sideways and in. they're silent, they're cheap, they last a very long time and they have over 75yrs of proven track record behind them in Australia.
What happened to the classic pintle hitch. You folks getting too complicated when it isnt necessary. Military uses pintle. Any self respecting overlander should as well
Nice overview. We absolutely love our DO35. Easiest and most robust hitch we’ve ever used in 40 years of towing. The new EZ looks nice too. Those Aussies make some great hitches.
I have the Loc N Roll on my overland trailer and I think it the best for a trailer.
That EZ hitch looks really interesting.
I like the whole graveyard pile bit though. That was funny 👻👻👻
I replaced my normal ball coupler with a Lock 'n Roll to pull my ATV wagon behind my SXS. Great flexibility, and I know it's not going to pop off over rough terrain.
I’ve had PolyBlock for 21 years without issues, maybe mine was a better quality as it doesn’t flop about like the one demonstrated. Now I’m not saying there’s better hitches, just saying it’s simple and has proven its worth crossing sand and stony deserts here in Australia without fail fail.
Good video tho guys, appreciated. 😎👍
same, even if they flop you just put a folded bit of cardboard in there, you can't beat them cost and reliability.
Would be great if you put up a screen with the names, models, rating, and price of the hitches at the end. Thanks for the comparison.
Great comparison! Mchitch and cruisemaster are my personal favorite!!
Have you seen the AL-KO articulating ball coupling. It lets you keep a standard ball on the vehicle, but is fully articulating for offroad use. It is exceptionally easy to hitch solo, and has a positive locking mechanism. Another one I've seen is the Ozhitch, but not so familar with that - but also designed for full articulation and easy hitching.
Good comparison. Nice to hear the good, bad and the ugly!
This was great! I have the max coupler on my camper, but have been curious about the other options. I’ve had no issues with the max coupler so far tho.
I've got the poly block on my new camper trailer and it was easy to hitch up, the hardest part is making sure the hight was right, but reverse camera on my 4x4 looks down so lining it up is really easy and I never had an issue doing this even when coming in on an angle. The only issue with my current setup is the hitch is too low but I'm looking at different tongues to level the trailer better, this might include using a different hitch so the spare wheel which is mounted to the back door isn't hit and I can still open the door some of the way.
Thanks Josh for sharing nice to see how they all function and hook up!
With the exception of the poly block, being slightly more inconvenient to attach to the tow vehicle, it has an advantage that none of the others have, which is a level of shock absorbing properties from the Polly block it self. I think on a light trailer like the one you demonstrated on the DO 35 where you can manually lift it. The poly block is better.
Very informative video, thanks.
I would like to know which hitch operates the quietest and if there are any restrictions when backing up. My old sway bar hitch drove me crazy with all the poping and squecking. Thanks
I agree the Cruisemaster and McHitch appear to be the most robust units. I would purchase either one with confidence. However, I would always have some penetrating oil and brake clean on hand always to clean and lubricate the moving parts in all hitches. Not much different maintenance than a ball hitch in fact. You ball hitch guys: You DO maintain your couplers, RIGHT?
Sometimes if you don't use the right stuff all it does is make dust and dirt stick to your sh1t and wreck it.
Had d035 hitch fail, split at the rear, leaving the front two bolts to do the work. I hadn’t noticed the split for probably 6-12 months, I dont really know. It was denied warranty because the trailer manufacturer likely installed it incorrectly (likely not tightened to spec). I will say its the best trailer hitch I’ve used for far. I like my max coupler but its not as easy to couple as the cruisemaster.
Good review; thanks for the info on various options out there.
Just yesterday I replaced my McHitch with a DO35 due to the McHitch business recently closing down. Their issues mainly related to universal joint failure which I experienced 5 years ago. DO35 is a great product and the biggest seller of its type, (Off Road Use) in Oz. McHitch was so easy to connect without help other than from a rear view camera. DO35 is better engineered IMO.
I’m just about to remove the 5-year old McHitch from my Kimberley Kruiser and install DO35. The McHitch has been great and easy to use but with them closing shop and potential failure I didn’t want to take the risk.
I know It's a bit late but... the owner of McHitch has passed away, there is a new (owner) company they are in QLD
It'd be interesting to see Lovell's Haulace and the OZHitch couplers included. For all the praise on the DO35/45, I wish Cruisemaster would make something rated higher that could safely handle the HQ19. The video mentions the Hitch-Ezy is coming to America. Will you be a distributor and do you have a timeline for their arrival?
Ive been using the DO35 for years . A couple of circuits around Australia on a variety of road surfaces. Haven't had a single issue in that time . Like anything i keep it clean and lubricated . Swear by this hitch from Cruisemaster .
My poly block is the original Trigg Bros another Aussie product (no longer made) over 25 years old I can reverse straight into it with a reverse camera not floppy at all, I wish I had the camera 25 years ago. I made the wife lose her mind guiding me in.
The Mchitch looks good it runs a Landcruiser universal.
Unfortunately, McHitch has gone out of business earlier this year. There actually were issues with the Uni-joint failure that owners were reporting. I have one and am moving to DO35. HitchEzy is great but AU$1300 is a bit too rich for me.
A good overview of commonly available designs, but it might have been better to start with the basics then show the specific designs. The basics are that
- every hitch must allow rotation in all three axes: yaw (turning corners), pitch (nose up and down), and roll
- these non-ball hitches have a separate pivot pin for each of the three axes (and you can point to them at the beginning of each design's section)
What's the best articulating hitch which best handles sway (Propride)?
I would totally buy one of those old polyblock hitches from your graveyard if it was still good. I'm looking for an old M416 military jeep trailer to pull with my Samurai,, The poly block would be perfect for me with that tiny trailer. Interested in helping a Marine Vet on a budget?
Feel free to contact us at 801-860-0035
Ive been using mchitch for decades and my brothers as well. Can hitch without getting out of the car just using the rev camera. Even if it saves just once of not getting out of the car its worth it. Buy the lube spray they suggest youll end up using it for everything.
when will ezy hitch be available in the USA
Well there ya go, I have "lernt" something new today. 😊
Good coverage on hitch operation.
No explanation on replacing the trailer coupler and whats involved!!😞
Aside from some clunkiness, not really luxury, but how do these compare to standard military pintos hitch?
they're all quieter and reverse better than a pintle hook
what about on road performance? i am concerned about to much movement during highway travel.
They all perform great on the highway. No issue with cross country travel.
I personally think the Cruisemaster is great for small to medium sized units with jockey wheels because it allows you that movement to get it lined up just right. However, the McHitch just seems superior for any large trailers, especially ones without jockey wheels. So easy to hook up!
mchitch is bankrupt, too many failures and they're hard to unhook if not perfectly straight.
All hitches articulate - this is about alternatives to a ball-and-socket hitch which provide a greater degree of articulation in the roll and pitch axes.
Can't beat a pintle and lunette ring hitch, aka a NATO hitch, easiest to hitch up, no need for secondary couplings, it cannot come apart if correctly closed, Full articulation, ie over 200°/2000°/360° rotation. Hitch far exceeds the vehicle tow weights so perfect. :-)
I think there biggest issue in “civilian” use is that they’re noisy and performance in reversing scenario in not as good, but other than that they are simple, robust and need very little maintenance - perfect for military application.
What about a pintle hitch?
Just use a NATO hitch as used by LandRover and Unimog etc. Indestructible and totally safe.
Should we try one out in a video? Could be fun
@@ROAOffRoad
@ROAOffRoad
I would love to see that. The proper pintle jaw type that also swivels.
Since this video the Mchitch has become unavailable. Pity as it was a good hitch but not without its issues. Hitchezy is great but bloody expensive. I run the DO35 now and am very happy with it.
The Australian site has been down for some time now, but it is very much available if you go to their USA site. mchitch.us/products
Sounds like they kept failing. Can't have that in oz mate. Look up the Nullarbor plain. Can't have a breakdown like that out there. Nor in the red centre
McHitch has been reopened in Australia
6:38 RIP steps 😂
So what you're saying is, I can have a graveyard polyblock for free...
I second that.
That's exactly what I was thinking
I tried to give this video another thumbs up after that graveyard joke.
How do I contact your company? Can I order one of these hitches from you?
Give us a call (801) 860-0035!
Is anyone making a hitch that is simply a ball hitch that simply rotates?
Many trailers have welded ball receivers that are not easily changed. If a ball was simply put on a U joint it seems that it would sell.
Shoot.. sell me one of those poly blocks… I’d be perfectly fine with it on my light setup
Come and get it 😂
@@ROAOffRoad might actually do that if you arn't willing to ship (of course with me paying for shipping)
Got some bad news concerning the McHitch, they have closed down and at this stage gone out of business, could be something to do with all this Covid-19 shutdowns. Hopefully they can get up and running again, but doesn't look good for this hitch.
Hello George, it is not closed. It is closed in Australia. The USA distributor took over the business and it is open.
@@ROAOffRoad that's good news, I still think they are a good hitch, was planning to buy one.
Hitch Ezy... by a country mile (so long as you are happy with the huge cost difference!).
A couple of the hitches only move in two directions. Don't rotate
Can I have a poly block lol
That mchitch looks shady. All the weight is on the uni? Move ball weight back off the vehicle more? Extra slop joint? Looks like it'd be a nightmare to hitch at the beach or forrest on uneven surface. Even seen reviews of bent pins, failed unis, hard to get that locking lever released etc etc.
Ive had my poly block for over 15 years, i just left it on my tounge and have had no issues. Is this just propaganda for selling other hitchs? Sure it might be hard to hitch, but i havent seen any fail. So yeh.
Maybe I’ll just cut down my PTO shaft from my tractor and turn it into a hitch, these things are way too difficult to hook up, even if they work well once hooked up I don’t have the patience to jack around with my hitch for 20 minutes just trying to hook up. You guys have way over thunk this.Too many moving parts maybe just go back to the old pintle hitch and figure out a way to make it quiet. These things wouldn’t be worth the cost of shipping if they gave them away
the polyblock is the best hitch in this whole video, you don't need somebody else to hold your poly block you just put a folded piece of cardboard in it, or a leaf or a stick. for small trailers you just back up next to the block and pull the trailer sideways and in.
they're silent, they're cheap, they last a very long time and they have over 75yrs of proven track record behind them in Australia.
Stop panning the camera back and forth, it is distracting to the subject matter of the video.
So basically everybody is trying to reinvent a universal joint with as much complexity as possible.
What happened to the classic pintle hitch. You folks getting too complicated when it isnt necessary.
Military uses pintle. Any self respecting overlander should as well