Most will be familiar with the so called marriage saver...the Couplemate. Well I guess it does make hooking up the van a bit more stress free but a problem is that the adaptor plate that attaches to the towbar tongue can allow the towball nut to loosen when a hockey stick or similar WDH is used. This seems to be due to the dimples pressed into the adaptor plate. I've used a 6ft length of pipe on the nut but the action of the WDH bars eventually causes the nut to loosen. Also drilled through the lot and inserted a 3/8" stud but that sheared as well.
Finally fixed it by welding 2 lengths of 1/2 thick square steel bar to the back of the Couplemate which then slip into and bottoms on the WDH head - now I can do without the adaptor and now the towball nut does not loosen.
We have one of those, Barry paid $1 for it on EBay a few years ago. Solid as a rock. I am the one that reverses the car up to the van and it is certainly a "marriage saver". Ours just lifts off and goes in the back of the tug until next time.
Good work Denis.
Pam
hako said
01:35 AM Oct 11, 2013
Geez Pam, I got ripped off - mine cost $5 at the markets and was in the original box unused with the receipt for $95. I guess it didn't save that marriage.
Regards
Denis
justcruisin01 said
03:43 AM Oct 11, 2013
I now use a camera, if I get it wrong then can only blame myself. Also Mrs used to use a two way radio, works well.
JC.
Wombat 280 said
03:59 AM Oct 11, 2013
That's a good mod will give it a good
chopit said
12:59 AM Oct 13, 2013
I like it !
Using a camera but I tend to be a "Belt & Braces" kinda guy.
May just make up one myself.
Cheers
Mike52 said
06:12 PM May 15, 2016
I have also done a Couplemate modification. Because the newer Hayman Reese WDH won't allow the "Marriage Saver" to seat properly without a special spacer, I quickly constructed a hard wood addition for the back of the Couplemate. I had to cut the steel insert to 50mm for this....simple with angle grinder and then made a "T" section of the hard wood and attached with screws and nuts. (As it's happy hour....not sure what sense I'm making) Anyway here are some photos of the thing.
I have used a Couplemate for some 10 years have not had the problem with the mounting plate under the ball coming loose, though I have a decent piece of RHS that I put over the ring spanner that fits the ball nut and has not moved.
Have been using a Hitch Up Mirror for 10 years or so in conjunction with the Couple Mate, it is a 1 person job at any time, I know many have a reversing camera but that is only on later model vehicles, at least my Hitch Up Mirror does not break down.
Most will be familiar with the so called marriage saver...the Couplemate. Well I guess it does make hooking up the van a bit more stress free but a problem is that the adaptor plate that attaches to the towbar tongue can allow the towball nut to loosen when a hockey stick or similar WDH is used. This seems to be due to the dimples pressed into the adaptor plate. I've used a 6ft length of pipe on the nut but the action of the WDH bars eventually causes the nut to loosen. Also drilled through the lot and inserted a 3/8" stud but that sheared as well.
Finally fixed it by welding 2 lengths of 1/2 thick square steel bar to the back of the Couplemate which then slip into and bottoms on the WDH head - now I can do without the adaptor and now the towball nut does not loosen.
Pics tell it better than I can explain.
Good Luck.
Denis
Good work Denis.
Pam
Regards
Denis
I now use a camera, if I get it wrong then can only blame myself. Also Mrs used to use a two way radio, works well.
JC.
Using a camera but I tend to be a "Belt & Braces" kinda guy.
May just make up one myself.
Cheers
I have also done a Couplemate modification. Because the newer Hayman Reese WDH won't allow the "Marriage Saver" to seat properly without a special spacer, I quickly constructed a hard wood addition for the back of the Couplemate. I had to cut the steel insert to 50mm for this....simple with angle grinder and then made a "T" section of the hard wood and attached with screws and nuts. (As it's happy hour....not sure what sense I'm making) Anyway here are some photos of the thing.
Gooday,
I have used a Couplemate for some 10 years have not had the problem with the mounting plate under the ball coming loose, though I have a decent piece of RHS that I put over the ring spanner that fits the ball nut and has not moved.
Have been using a Hitch Up Mirror for 10 years or so in conjunction with the Couple Mate, it is a 1 person job at any time, I know many have a reversing camera but that is only on later model vehicles, at least my Hitch Up Mirror does not break down.