JeepExpeditions.org, your posts to me come off as marketing and almost arrogant, with no real facts, experiences or information to show a true subjective contribution to the subject.
JeepExpeditions.org said:
This trailer was built in my driveway specifically for multiple day overland trips.
Is the reason your emphasizing the point that it was build in your driveway is that it's not only built-not-bought, but also is suppose to sympathise with the people who don't have a garage or a shop to build one, and to disassociate your present opinions with those of the organization?
Multiple day overlanding? Well, most trips those with of a trailer revolve around more than just going for a day picnic....
JeepExpeditions.org said:
The beauty of the design is that it can be mounted several different ways including directly to the front of the hitch or using 2" stock like I did so it can be removed or made longer or shorter by sliding it in or out of the receiver that runs from front to back of the trailer. The coupler is mounted on a 3ft piece of stock so I can easily change the tongue weight by adjusting the length of the hitch.
I don't really see much of an advantage here over the LNR or the MC. The point where you put it on a 3ft 2" square tubing isn't a point advantage to the XO since the other couplers can be mounted and the exact same thing can be done with them as well. The XO can be bolted directly on yes, as opposed to the LNR and MC while normally require a piece of 2" ID tubing to secure them to the tongue of the trailer, but you still had to weld a plate as a solid bolting point for your XO...so you weld a plate for the XO, or weld a piece of 2.5" tubing for the LNR and XO, same necessity executed differently.
JeepExpeditions.org said:
Well everyone has their own opinion of what they like and don't but it's kind of hard to pass judgment on a particular product unless you've actually had hands on experience with that product.
I've had the opportunity to use all three so I can make an objective comparison.
If you look at the history both the Max Coupler and the LNL have both had their share of issues, some have been fixed, others, maybe. In its long history of use in Australia, there haven't been any issues with the XO Coupler which speaks volumes. And the Aussies have some of the best off-road trailers in the world.
Your right, but not every one has the opportunity, nor the money, to spend over $1000 in couplers, just to try them. Being in Canada, it could cost me close to C$2000, with import fees and international shipping, to become a "coupler expert" and give them all a try...
NOTHING is without problems or growing pains. Personally, the OX, I've barely ever heard of it or seen it in action. To me, if something is less common, it's natural that we hear less about problems. I may be wrong, but I don't think it's as popular as you say it is since I've heard almost nothing about them. Maybe in Australia is it, but they're off-road crazy over there and have MANY coupler choices to choose from that we don't have here.
JeepExpeditions.org said:
You have your mind made up, that's fine, like I said everyone has their opinion but you seem to want to trash a product that you've had absolutely NO experience with. I on the other hand, and members of JEO have had thousands of miles of overland travel using Pintles, Max Coupler, Lock N Roll and yes the XO coupler so we can make an informed and intelligent observation on all of them and be unbiased too.
Despite all your experience with them, you've presented nothing at all that really separates one over the others other then the ease of coupling, which is indicative of itself since it uses standard ball. Articulates smoother then the others? Really? Is there that much of a different? Where's the issue/slack/restriction in the other couplers? Articulates like crazy? Again, is there something more that the XO can do that the others can't in articulation? Nothing about that coupler "speaks volumes" to me (or us?), so speak to us more about it....cause essentially, you literally sound like this:
tgreening said:
MY HITCH IS BETTER THAN YOUR HITCH!
Neener Neener.....,
Robert Bills said:
I lol'd at that
Personally, I see one downfall and because of the width of the coupler, there may be a limitation and the lack of ability to jack knife the trailer to 90 degrees (or beyond) unless your using a hitch that's raised, cause the other styles of a level or drop hitch (which would be very typical), it would hit.
And adding to the topic, since getting these receivers into Canada is expensive, a few of us got one made by a local fab and machine shop. It would sell for C$200/$150USD. Getting a say, Max Coupler at $230USD, plus $100USD shipping = C$437, not including any brokerage fees or taxes crossing the border if any. I haven't mounted mine yet, I need to get that part done, and also, the season is almost over, but I'll have it for the start of the next.
