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Bulldog
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Founded in 1920, Bulldog has become the standard for heavy-duty trailer connection hardware in agricultural, military and utility service. The line covers gooseneck hitches and couplers, A-frame and channel-mount trailer couplers with the Wedge-Latch mechanism, and heavy-duty jacks, built for unmatched strength, reliability and safety under demanding loads.
Bulldog was founded in 1920 and has spent more than a century supplying the connection hardware that heavy trailers depend on. Its market has always been the demanding end: agricultural, military and utility applications where a coupler failure is not an inconvenience but a serious incident. The brand summarises its position as Tough and Tested, and it sits within the Horizon Global towing group alongside Reese, Draw-Tite, Fulton, Tekonsha, Bargman and Wesbar.
Gooseneck equipment is the brand's signature. Gooseneck hitches mount in the truck bed over the rear axle, which places the load where the chassis can carry it properly and allows far tighter turning than a receiver hitch permits. Matching gooseneck couplers attach at the trailer end, in round tube and square configurations across the capacity range used by livestock, equipment and flatbed trailers.
The conventional trailer coupler range is built around the Wedge-Latch mechanism, which uses a wedge to take up wear between coupler and ball rather than relying on a fixed clamp that loosens over time. That matters on a trailer accumulating hard miles, where slack in the coupling shows up as noise and shock loading. Couplers are offered in A-frame form for standard tongues and in channel-mount form for straight tongue and fabricated frames, with adjustable channel versions that let a coupler be positioned to suit the tongue height.
Heavy-duty jacks complete the line, sized for the tongue weights that gooseneck and equipment trailers generate. Across the range the emphasis is consistent: forged and heavy-section components, load ratings backed by testing, and hardware specified for agricultural, military and heavy-duty commercial use rather than occasional recreational towing.
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This coupler is designed exclusively for 50-degree trailer tongues. It cannot be used with other tongue angles.
A minimum overlap of 6.5 inches between the coupler and trailer tongue is required for proper installation and load support.
The Wedge-Latch® Coupler is a trailer coupling device that connects a trailer tongue to a towing vehicle's hitch ball. It features a locking lever mechanism that secures the hitch ball in a ball pocket. The coupler is available in A-Frame and Flat-Mount configurations and is designed for use with 50-degree trailer tongues.
No. This coupler can only be used with 50-degree trailer tongues. Using it with any other tongue angle will result in improper fit and unsafe operation.
The coupler is available in two mounting configurations: A-Frame Couplers (bolted to tongue members) and Flat-Mount Couplers (bolted through a mount plate). Both can be used with an optional Adjustable Height Channel mounting bracket for tongues 6 inches or less in height.
Grade 5 hardware is required for all bolted connections. Do not use lower-grade fasteners.
Four (4) 5/8" grade 5 bolts are required to mount the coupler through the coupler housing and mount plate. These bolts must be tightened to 150 ft. lbs.
Two (2) 5/8" x 5" grade 5 bolts with locknuts are required. These bolts must be inserted through two sets of holes in the mounting bracket and coupler, then tightened to 100-110 ft. lbs.
Yes. All welding must be performed by an AWS (American Welding Society) certified welder. This is a mandatory requirement for safe installation.
Before installation, check for interference from the tow vehicle, trailer tongue, ground, and any other mounted accessories in both open and closed coupler positions. Perform these checks again after installation is complete to ensure coupler operation is not impaired.
Always block the trailer wheels before latching or unlatching the coupler. This prevents the trailer from moving unexpectedly during the coupling or uncoupling process.
For bolt-on installations, drilling depends on your configuration: A-Frame couplers use existing mounting holes in the coupler housing and trailer tongue members; Flat-Mount couplers require four pre-drilled holes for 5/8" bolts. For welded installations, no drilling is required, but welding by an AWS certified welder is mandatory.
Gussets are required only if the trailer tongue height is 6 inches or less. If your tongue is taller than 6 inches, gussets are not needed. When required, gussets must be welded with a 1/4" minimum fillet weld all around.
Yes, the coupler can be painted or primed after installation. However, you must carefully remove all excess paint and primer buildup from the ball pocket and latching mechanism before use. Paint buildup in these areas will impair coupler operation.
3/8" grade 5 bolts must be tightened to 23 ft. lbs.
1/2" grade 5 bolts must be tightened to 55 ft. lbs.
5/8" grade 5 bolts must be tightened to 110 ft. lbs.
The four 5/8" grade 5 bolts used in Flat-Mount installation must be tightened to 150 ft. lbs.
The two 5/8" x 5" grade 5 bolts with locknuts must be tightened to 100-110 ft. lbs.
A minimum 3/16" fillet weld is required on both sides and the top of the coupler when welding to the trailer tongue. When using an Adjustable Height Channel mounting bracket, a 1/4" minimum fillet weld is required all around.
1) Block the trailer wheels. 2) Align the hitch ball beneath the coupler. 3) Open the coupler locking lever and hold it fully open while lowering the coupler over the hitch ball until the ball is fully seated in the ball pocket. 4) If the locking lever was pinned open, remove the pin. Move the locking lever to the closed position and verify the latch is engaged by lifting up on the back of the lever. Confirm the hitch ball is fully seated and the ball clamp is below the ball. 5) Optionally, place a 5/16" pin or lock in the hole provided.
1) Block the trailer wheels. 2) Open the locking lever. While holding the locking lever fully open, raise the trailer off the hitch ball. A 5/16" diameter pin can be used to hold the locking lever open. 3) Return the handle to the closed position.
The optional 5/16" diameter pin can be used to hold the locking lever in the open position during coupling and uncoupling operations. It is inserted in the hole shown in the operation figures and can also be used as a security lock when the coupler is not in use.
Before towing, perform these checks: 1) Inspect the vehicle, mounting bracket, hitch, hitch ball, and coupler for wear or damage. 2) Verify the coupler handle opens and closes freely. 3) Ensure the hitch ball is fully seated in the coupler ball pocket and the pin is inserted behind the collar or through the latch. 4) Check mounting bracket hardware for wear and tightness; tighten to appropriate SAE proof load specifications using grade 5 hardware. 5) Verify trailer safety chains are properly connected per SAE J684. 6) Confirm all trailer lighting is connected and working. If the coupler or mounting bracket is deformed or damaged, replace the complete assembly.
No. Do not tow if the ball is not fully seated or the coupler is not closed. Towing with an improperly seated ball or open coupler is unsafe and may result in trailer separation.
Do not use the coupler if its operation has been impaired in any way. After installing the mounting bracket and/or coupler, check that coupler operation has not been affected. If operation is impaired, stop using the coupler immediately and contact Cequent Performance Products at 1-800-632-3290 for assistance.
Never position any part of your body under the coupler or the load being supported. Keep clear of the coupler mechanism and trailer during all coupling and uncoupling operations.
Do not exceed the lesser of the weight ratings for the mounting bracket, coupler, hitch, towing vehicle, hitch ball, or trailer (including load). Weigh your trailer plus any added load before towing and verify it does not exceed any of these component ratings.
Use caution when uncoupling because the tongue may rise suddenly due to negative tongue load. Keep clear of the rising tongue and any load on the trailer. Always block the trailer wheels before uncoupling to prevent unexpected movement.
Use only the proper hitch ball size for this coupler as indicated on the coupler body. If you are uncertain about the correct ball size, contact Cequent Performance Products at 1-800-632-3290 or visit www.cequentgroup.com.
After installation is complete, verify that: 1) The coupler operation has not been impaired in any way. 2) There is no interference from the tow vehicle, tongue, ground, or other mounted accessories in both open and closed positions. 3) The coupler is rigidly attached to the trailer. 4) If painted or primed, all excess paint and primer buildup has been removed from the ball pocket and latching mechanism. Do not use the coupler if any operation is impaired.
After closing the locking lever, lift up on the back of the locking lever to check that the latch is engaged. If the latch does not hold the lever in the closed position, the ball is not properly seated. Do not tow. Repeat the coupling steps.
The ball clamp must be positioned below the hitch ball when the coupler is closed and the latch is engaged. If the ball clamp is not below the ball, the coupler is not properly closed. Do not tow. Repeat the coupling steps.
Perform the following maintenance at least annually: 1) Check set screw torque. 2) Grease the ball pocket. 3) Oil pivot points with SAE 30 weight motor oil. 4) Inspect the retaining pin and replace if necessary. Additionally, keep the ball pocket and mechanism clean at all times. When parking or storing the trailer, keep the coupler off the ground to prevent dirt and foreign material from accumulating in the ball pocket.
Maintenance procedures should be performed at least annually. These include checking set screw torque, greasing the ball pocket, oiling pivot points with SAE 30 weight motor oil, and inspecting the retaining pin for wear or damage.
Use SAE 30 weight motor oil to lubricate the pivot points. Apply oil at least annually as part of regular maintenance.
Keep the ball pocket and latching mechanism clean at all times. When parking or storing the trailer, keep the coupler off the ground so dirt and other foreign material will not build up in the ball pocket. Regularly inspect and clean the ball pocket to ensure proper operation.
If the latch is not engaged, the coupler is not properly closed and the hitch ball is not securely held. Do not tow. Repeat the coupling steps: open the locking lever fully, lower the coupler over the hitch ball until it is fully seated, close the locking lever, and verify the latch engages by lifting up on the back of the lever.
If the hitch ball is not fully seated, do not tow. Repeat the coupling procedure: block the trailer wheels, align the hitch ball beneath the coupler, open the locking lever fully, lower the coupler over the ball until it is completely seated in the ball pocket, close the locking lever, and verify the latch is engaged.
If the locking lever will not close, the hitch ball is not properly seated in the ball pocket. Do not tow. Repeat the coupling steps: open the locking lever fully, ensure the hitch ball is aligned directly beneath the coupler, lower the coupler completely over the ball, and then close the locking lever. If the lever still will not close, check for interference or obstruction in the coupler mechanism.
If the ball clamp is not positioned below the hitch ball, the coupler is not properly closed. Do not tow. Repeat the coupling procedure to ensure the hitch ball is fully seated and the locking lever is completely closed. The ball clamp should automatically position itself below the ball when the coupler is properly closed.
Replacement parts are available through Cequent Performance Products' Customer Service Department. Contact them at 1-800-632-3290 and specify the product model number. Use only Cequent Performance Products' parts or parts of equal quality for repairs.
Cequent Performance Products warrants the coupler to be free from defects in material and workmanship for five years (for Bulldog® and Fulton® products) or one year (for Pro-Series® products), excluding ordinary wear and tear, provided installation and use comply with the instructions. The warranty covers defects only and does not cover damage from abuse, neglect, misuse, accidents, misapplication, overloading, improper installation, improper maintenance, or product alteration. Repair or replacement is the sole remedy. The warranty is not transferable and applies only to the original consumer purchaser.
To make a warranty claim, contact Cequent Performance Products at 47912 Halyard Dr. Suite 100, Plymouth, MI 48170, or call 1-800-632-3290. Identify the product by model number and follow the claim instructions provided. You must provide the product and your purchase receipt to verify the date of purchase and that you are the original consumer purchaser. You are responsible for return shipping costs.
Matt
Ordered online. Shipment arrived on time and with all the correct parts. Great customer service and friendly staff. Also, pricing was great!
May 22, 2023
