Trailer Coupler/Hitch Information?

[DKO]

This is the coupler on the new-to-me trailer. Is any one familiar with this type of hitch. You pull the pin, raise the collar up, open the jaws, back the ball in, the jaws close around the ball and you close the collar and put the pin through.

Do you know how to lock it when I am unhooked? I have a standard coupler lock but I do not have it with me. I do not think it will fit this one. As you can see the pin locks. That is useful to keep the collar down and the hitch in place on the ball but not for security. A hammer would easily defeat that lock. Any help would be appreciated.

Sorry about the pictures. It was raining when I went out to take them so I snapped them quickly.

Thanks is advance for your help...

DKO

[chev49]

I thought i saw pin locks with built in lock mechanisms at harbor frieght, when i was getting another trailer ball last week. (I know, it's made in China... will last only until first hard stop.. )

[artvonne]

  You could cut the stud off a spare ball and lock it inside the hitch with that pin shown, though it wouldn't stop someone who really wanted it.

  Or cut the whole works off and weld on a normal coupler... They wont stop anyone either.

  Best is to keep it in some kind of secure area behind a fence. Regardless of a locking couplers defiance, any trailer can be drug off if someone wants it bad enough, a wrecker can grab one as quick as they can a car, maybe faster. And its pretty hard to recover a trailer once its "homemade".
 

[rv_safetyman]

Some folks string a very heavy chain through the wheels if the spokes are big enough.

Jim

[papatony]

That looks like a gooseneck type hitch

[DKO]

Thanks for the help...
To my surprise a standard hitch lock did fit it. At least it is better than nothing...

DKO

[gumpy]

I'd cut that thing off and weld on a Bulldog hitch.

Maybe that one is ok. You didn't give any details on the trailer. I just don't like the looks of the bail over the split socket.

[DKO]

The trailer is a 24 ft. Featherlite Stacker. I do not think I will be changing the coupler that is on there. I am sure it is built to carry the load. I am not familiar with this type but I am sure it is strong. Thanks for the help, guys...

DKO

[rv_safetyman]

I am pretty sure that coupler is one designed for gooseneck trailer applications.  Here is a pretty good description"

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Coupler/Auto-Lock/SM2516NP.html

I have not seen it used for a tag type trailer. Would be a pretty straightforward to adapt it to a tag trailer.

All the ones I have seen are designed for a 2 5/16 ball. 

It is obviously a very heavy duty coupler.  The one shown in the link above is rated at 25K

Jim