Max Coupler inverted

TacoDell

Adventurer
TacoDell, you have put the system in tension rather than compression which is significantly weaker. I do not have the engineering calcs handy to tell you how much weaker. The coupler is rated at 6000 lbs and it was not tested inverted in the SAE J684 test. I am fairly certain that the coupler would fail the test if run inverted.
I would think that test would be conducted pulling a 6000# trailer ? (tho' I don't know for fact)

I'm pulling a M 100 that has a max GVW of 1350 #'s Tongue weight at maybe 120 #'s
I'm fairly sure... I'm not exceeding the rating of the coupler/bolt/nut... whether upright or inverted.

Chris of Kilby personally came to my home for other matters... Chris and I had discussed the possibility of inverting the coupler...
and with consideration as to my trailers GVW... Chris's comment at the time... was that it should be safely doable.
I think so as well... tho' I intend to improve on safety, if and where I can.

With the coupler in it's proper position, the downward forces are put against the draw bar and hitch which are normally quite solid. There is also shear force exerted against the bolt. The way you have it set up not only are the same shear forces present but now, only the threads of the bolt are holding it in tension.
I don't believe there's an issue... unless the bolt and nut assembly might loosen.
My only real concern it the chance of the nut backing off and allowing play/movement in the assembly.

I can tell you that it was not intended to be used in this way and I strongly advise you to not use it in this way. You are at risk of losing the connection and your trailer, damaging the trailer and even worse, losing control of the trailer and vehicle, possibly even losing the trailer entirely if it overcomes the safety chains (which we have seen happen in violent handling situations). The liability of having the trailer injure others due to improper equipment use is no joke. That in itself is not worth the perceived extra inch of departure clearance.

Sorry to be a kill joy but we don't want to see anyone get hurt.
Thanks... I can't help but feel somewhat lectured after reading your last comment.

I'll assure you that I am a responsible adult of 50 yrs.
That I have a honorable lifetime history in safety and for the consideration of others.
...I'm also no dummy

as a prior SeaBee... I follow this attitude/spirit... " Can Do "
I find it somewhat negative if others say "can't do it"
IMO... anything can be done... if you put your mind to it.

and it can be done safely.

I do thank you for your input... (not so much the lecture)
 

elcoyote

Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0004
Sorry, no lecture intended. I know the SAE J684 testing that gives the coupler its 6000 lb rating tests the coupler in its in normal operating position. If Chris endorsed the inversion, then it should be okay in your application.

BTW, when did you talk with Chris? We thought that he was no longer with Kilby.
 

gabepari

Explorer
Sorry, no lecture intended. I know the SAE J684 testing that gives the coupler its 6000 lb rating tests the coupler in its in normal operating position. If Chris endorsed the inversion, then it should be okay in your application.

BTW, when did you talk with Chris? We thought that he was no longer with Kilby.

I was gonna ask the same thing. I haven't heard from, or seen, Chris since sometime around October last year. In fact, I don't know anyone who has had ANY contact with him in that time.

Since I don't really understand the motivation, I'll stay out of the inversion discussion. We don't need to confuse the issues with the facts :coffee:

Oh, and I think you confused Mario's "shouldn't do" with "can't do"...

Gabe
 

TacoDell

Adventurer
Sorry, no lecture intended. I know the SAE J684 testing that gives the coupler its 6000 lb rating tests the coupler in its in normal operating position. If Chris endorsed the inversion, then it should be okay in your application.

BTW, when did you talk with Chris? We thought that he was no longer with Kilby.
It was a few years back... when the 6K# coupler was designed and had just become available.
I actually purchased thru the other Chris over at Sierra 4X trailers...
Had complaint of the end play of the 360* shaft... Chris contacted Chris...
and Chris (maker) brought a few other couplers to my house to compare with
I can't say what his current stance might be of it.
 

ogre

Member
i dont know why you would want to run your coupler that way. you flip that hitch over and you might loose 1" but it would be safer to use. i agree with the fact that the way you are using it now puts all the weight on the threads and puts safty at risk. you say you drive safe but then you do something like this with your coupler and think that its okay. then you ask our oppinnions and get mad at it when we dont give you the responce that you wanted. its your trailer and you can do as you please with it. but i wouldnt pull any trailer with it in that position.
your choice and your trailer but as said before your putting others in danger as well. and if something were to ever happen you would be screwed in court for using the equipment in a manner that it wasnt designed for. and i bet your insurance wouldnt honor the issue either becouls of using the equipment in a manner that it was not inteded to be used.
 

TacoDell

Adventurer
Who's mad ?

Have you run this coupler ?

If you knew anything about it... you would know...
that it's just as nearly unsafe... to utilize it upright or inverted
...if attention to safety is not paid properly.

I'm safe... and my record proves that.
Doesn't mean I need to prove it to you.

Just because I don't accept the scare tactics/lectures on safety
doesn't mean that this coupler, nor I will be unsafe.

You think it is unsafe and can't be done...
but what fact proves that your right ?

If all I'm going to get from folks here is negativity...
then I'll do what I'm going to do without advice or input.

I appreciate any useful opinions...
but I'll pass on the lectures.

btw... I wasn't born yesterday...
and I've been modifying things for years on my junk and trailer.

Suppose your gonna tell me that my welded on sliders are unsafe as well...
as that could cause the frame to weaken and fold in half :rolleyes:

Seriously... some of you must think everyone is an idiot.
and unless you have proof of failure... I'm not buying into your hysteria.

Offer me some positive tools... to improve upon safety...
or don't bother wasting your time.

BTW... I've likely put my coupler thru more rigors then many folk whom own one.

Max Coupler working (1)

Max Coupler working (2)

Max Coupler working (3)

Max Coupler working (4)

So... I have a purdy good idea of how it functions, including it's strengths and weaknesses...

PS... if I were mad... I'd just ignore you. ;)
 

TacoDell

Adventurer
moving forward...

Some pics that might offer a better visual aide to others.

Hopefully pics will better describe..
or a least entertain this thread.


2" drop, upright coupler... (coupler rises 2.5" at the pin OC )
~trailer sits tongue high~

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z465/DellTaco00/Max Coupler inverted/MaxCouplerrelevel1.jpg


5.25" drop upright coupler...
~I don't like that the drop sits this low, but trailer is closer to level~

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z465/DellTaco00/Max Coupler inverted/MaxCouplerrelevel3.jpg


http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z465/DellTaco00/Max Coupler inverted/MaxCouplerrelevel4.jpg

0" rise, Inverted coupler... ( the coupler's pin drops 2.5" OC )
~inverted is nearly level as the 5.25 drop, with less anchor~

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z465/DellTaco00/Max Coupler inverted/MaxCouplerrelevel2.jpg

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z465/DellTaco00/Max Coupler inverted/MaxCouplerrelevel62.jpg

^ I'm trying to get as close to a level trailer as I can...
but minimize clearance or obstruction issues.
These pictures reflect an unloaded trailer and hauler...
Some added weight will likely bring it closer to level.
^ pictures above show without full load/weight to the trailer/hauler

Coupler modification...
~to offer the coupler more entry/departure angle~

before...

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums...verted/MaxCoupleradjustedforexistnentry13.jpg

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums...verted/MaxCoupleradjustedforexistnentry19.jpg

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums...nverted/MaxCoupleradjustedforexistnentry1.jpg

after...

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums...nverted/MaxCoupleradjustedforexistnentry2.jpg

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums...nverted/MaxCoupleradjustedforexistnentry3.jpg

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums...verted/MaxCoupleradjustedforexistnentry12.jpg

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums...verted/MaxCoupleradjustedforexistnentry11.jpg

Close up view of the couplers bolt/washer assembly...

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums...upler inverted/MaxCouplerassemblycloseup2.jpg

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums...upler inverted/MaxCouplerassemblycloseup1.jpg

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z465/DellTaco00/Max Coupler inverted/MaxCouplerrelevel65.jpg

90* stop/bump and misc...
~note - spare tire/bumper is the stop/bump~

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z465/DellTaco00/Max Coupler inverted/MaxCoupler90maxWstop1.jpg

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z465/DellTaco00/Max Coupler inverted/MaxCoupler90maxWstop3.jpg

misc views...
~possibly I was bored~


http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z465/DellTaco00/Max Coupler inverted/MaxCouplerrelevel31.jpg

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z465/DellTaco00/Max Coupler inverted/MaxCouplerrelevel26.jpg

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z465/DellTaco00/Max Coupler inverted/MaxCouplerrelevel53.jpg
 

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