People I have spoken too that have changed to a McHitch have done it themself, they said it was very easy. They also reckon they are a great hitch, Kim.
Edit...If you don't want to do it yourself I would go to a caravan repair place. I use a good one in Shepparton VIC for any work I can't do myself.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Tuesday 8th of May 2018 08:02:43 AM
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DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
A simple job, takes about one hour. All bolt holes of coupling and hand brake match standard caravan coupling. If you don't already have a coupling I have one for sale, see in items for sale. Price reduced to $350. Cheers Allen.
Easy job if you have a couple of socket etc to suit otherwise caravan repair or local machanic if you have one you use. Yes they push the pivit point back about 110mm but never found it to be an issue.
I have changed the hitch on my camper to the McHitch Auto Coupler.
The issues I encountered (that others may as well) were:-
1. I had to get the Mc Hitch handbrake handle as well as the hitch to replace the existing handle, and then re adjust the handbrake actuating wire. The existing handle was not compatible with the new hitch
2. The safety chain length needed was at least 1 link longer (maybe 2) due to the trailer now being about 120mm further from the tow-bar. I was lucky as there was enough spare links in the existing chain so I did not have to cut off and replace the chain with a longer one but others may not be so lucky.
3. Ditto for the electric and break safe cables. May need extending or replacing or relocating to accompany the extra distance of tow bar to car.
Take care of the need for cable/chain slack on turning.
Hi kim ,I find as you take the weight on the jockey wheel if you watch the hitch in the towbar receiver it will move as the weight comes off and you will unhitch no problem.
I hope that makes sense
Steve
Thank you all so much. It sounds like a goer. Someone in a search I did said they found unhitching a problem??? Kim
The older style McHitch (Vertical pin) sometimes were a bit hard to uncouple. That was because the screw in the top of the pin could be super tightened using the lock pin as leverage, and the tapered pin wasn't all that easy to release. Tapers are like that. A little bit of suggestion with a tyre lever under the edge of the coupling did the trick. I've had this happen maybe five times in as many years, but never more than just a minor inconvenience.
Those readers who don't know what I'm talking about ... don't fret. If you don't have one you'll never need to know.
Kim, if you're looking at the horizontal pin type, then this information doesn't apply to you either.
To answer your original question - (WHO changes the hitch).
I can be any competent person, be it yourself, your neighbour, the local mechanic or the local caravan repair place.
There are no legal requirements around changing.
If you are not capable or feel competent, make yourself aware of what is required (see my post above) so you do not get taken for a ride, but on the other hand, do not get things left undone that should be attended to..
