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Fulton coupler vs lunette

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oldtime View Drop Down
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    Posted: 29 Apr. 2021 at 4:22pm
I know there’s a few other more recent inventions out there like the “lock n roll” coupler but I’m only interested in comparing the +/- of the various Bantam trailer couplers.
There are certain reasons why I prefer the ball hitch and other reasons why reasons why I prefer the pintle hitch.

Ball coupler  +/-
No play in coupler should provide more precise maneuvering.
Quieter operation especially when off-road.
Fits direct to Willys draw bar.
The coupler pivot point is further back from the rear axle so is that good or bad ?

Pintle hitch +/- 
Purportedly this design allows more sideways articulation than a ball type coupler ? How much more ?
Is the increased angle of approach/departure really that much more helpful when maneuvering off road ? 
The pintle itself fits direct to the frame and the coupler pivot point closer to the rear axle; so is that good or bad ?
Looks to me like the common military pintle will contact the tailgate preventing it from dropping down level. Do some pintles set a little lower than others?
Lunette design is less likely for trailer thieves to hook up ?

Here is the pintle I have:




Currently building my final F-134 powered 3B .
T98-A Rock Crawler using exclusive factory parts and Approved Special Equipment from the Willys Motors era (1953-1963)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 48cj2a Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Apr. 2021 at 5:45pm
Ken,

Obviously WWII jeeps did not have tailgates so this would not have been a problem back then. Nor did M38A1s with M100s or M151s with M416s.

Having been in a Tactical Comm Unit for 40 years now and having towed many trailers with the pintle hitch it does seem to conform to very good articulation in severe offroad conditions and is probably why all the mil vehicles used this style hitch.

The M151s are what we had when I first joined with a matching 416 trailer looked like this but the MEP-016 generator was mounted in the trailer.




Here is a good example of how good the pintle hitch is...one of ours hit a patch of black ice on the way out of base for a mission. We rolled a few but the MRC-108 radio pallet in the rear acted as a roll bar and kept anyone from serious injury.


They are little tough to back up with such a short trailer with or without the pintle vs standard coupler.


Edited by 48cj2a - 29 Apr. 2021 at 5:47pm
Art C USAF (Retired)

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SE Kansas 46 CJ-2A Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Apr. 2021 at 5:50pm
...and I will bet that the pintle and the lunette were still connected!
46 CJ-2A #64462 "Ol' Red" (bought April 1969)(second owner)(12 V, 11" brakes, M-38 frame, MD Juan tub)

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 48cj2a Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Apr. 2021 at 6:07pm
Yes, we never had a pintle failure and they are always safety pinned too.

I can say many trailer tongues were bent on M720 mobilizer dollys from backing with duces - this is a big no-no. We had to unhitch and hand roll these any time backing was involved.
Art C USAF (Retired)

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote oldtime Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Apr. 2021 at 6:21pm

Interesting Art. 
I’m pretty sure the pintle I posted was off an M151.
Casting #7073213
If it was about 1/2” lower then my tailgate would drop all the way down.
Wanna get a Bantam someway/someday but not sure what hitch I prefer.
I imagine the rare optional civvy pintle is a tad lower.


Edited by oldtime - 29 Apr. 2021 at 6:23pm
Currently building my final F-134 powered 3B .
T98-A Rock Crawler using exclusive factory parts and Approved Special Equipment from the Willys Motors era (1953-1963)
Zero aftermarket parts

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 48cj2a Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29 Apr. 2021 at 6:31pm
I sold an NOS one a few years ago I think I still have the pm's let me see if I can contact him for a picture if he ever installed it.

Originally posted by 48cj2a 48cj2a wrote:

640532 Kit, Pintle Hitch (NOS)
 
Art C USAF (Retired)

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote outlw21 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Apr. 2021 at 4:25am
To use the pintle hook on a CJ you lower the hook by mounting the top pintle mounting holes in the bottom holes on the frame and drill two new lower holes in the drawbar.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 48cj2a Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Apr. 2021 at 12:10pm
I stole this from another thread on installing a receiver hitch but it shows the pintle in the bottom two holes then redrilling the lower holes:


Art C USAF (Retired)

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48 CJ2A #206759
62 L6226 Station Wagon #58167 10900
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote oldtime Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Apr. 2021 at 1:28pm
Now why didn’t I think of that ?
Just relocate the pintle down an inch or more and I can still retain the draw bar too.
I see what looks to be a piece of radiator hose inside the lunette ring. That’s a great idea too. 


Edited by oldtime - 30 Apr. 2021 at 1:29pm
Currently building my final F-134 powered 3B .
T98-A Rock Crawler using exclusive factory parts and Approved Special Equipment from the Willys Motors era (1953-1963)
Zero aftermarket parts

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 48cj2a Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Apr. 2021 at 2:04pm
Good eye...I didn't catch that at first.

Eliminate the clunks and save the paint too.
Art C USAF (Retired)

47 CJ2A #134955 Project
48 CJ2A #206759
62 L6226 Station Wagon #58167 10900
45 T3-C #191 Project
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote oldtime Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Apr. 2021 at 7:47pm
I got to looking at several of my cj3 frames and realized that about half of them already have the 2 extra low pintle holes that were punched at the factory.
Currently building my final F-134 powered 3B .
T98-A Rock Crawler using exclusive factory parts and Approved Special Equipment from the Willys Motors era (1953-1963)
Zero aftermarket parts

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 48cj2a Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Apr. 2021 at 8:28pm
Post a pic for two
Art C USAF (Retired)

47 CJ2A #134955 Project
48 CJ2A #206759
62 L6226 Station Wagon #58167 10900
45 T3-C #191 Project
http://www.bantamt3c.com
http://www.48cj2a.com
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote oldtime Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Apr. 2021 at 9:00pm
I have 6 frames or partials.
Most currently standing vertical up into  garage rafters.
1 unknown year with missing rear crossmember.
1 1951 without the extra pintle holes
2 1953 3B both have extra pintle holes
1 1961 3B has extra pintle holes
1 1962 3B without extra pintle holes

1953 rear crossmember and the inner reinforcement.

1951 rear crossmember and brace





Edited by oldtime - 30 Apr. 2021 at 9:35pm
Currently building my final F-134 powered 3B .
T98-A Rock Crawler using exclusive factory parts and Approved Special Equipment from the Willys Motors era (1953-1963)
Zero aftermarket parts

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