Our in-house experts typically reply within one business day.
Bulldog
Always the correct part
We know our products
Quality Products
Free Shipping!
Always the correct part
We know our products
Quality Products
Free Shipping!
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.
Experts available to answer your questions
Call 888-634-94945 Years
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 ball in the coupler's ball pocket. The coupler is available in two mounting styles: A-Frame (bolted to tongue members) and Flat-Mount (bolted to a mounting plate). It is designed for 50-degree trailer tongues only.
The Wedge-Latch® Coupler can only be used with 50-degree trailer tongues. Using it with any other tongue angle will not provide proper fitment or safety.
A minimum coupler/tongue overlap of 6.5 inches is required. The coupler internal stop must be butted against the end of the trailer tongue for maximum overlap before securing.
Gussets are required if the trailer tongue height is 6 inches or less. If your tongue is taller than 6 inches, gussets are not required. When gussets are needed, they must be welded with a 1/4 inch minimum fillet weld all around.
Only grade 5 hardware must be used. For A-Frame couplers, the number and size of fasteners must be specified by the trailer manufacturer. For Flat-Mount couplers, four (4) 5/8" grade 5 bolts are required. For the Adjustable Height Channel mounting bracket, two (2) 5/8" x 5" grade 5 bolts with locknuts are provided and must be used.
Yes. All welding must be performed by an AWS (American Welding Society) certified welder. This is a mandatory requirement for safe installation.
Before installation, confirm that there will be no interference from the tow vehicle, tongue, ground, or any other mounted accessories while stationary or in motion. Check for interference in both open and closed coupler positions. After installation is complete, check again to ensure no interference exists.
1. Ensure the coupler internal stop is butted against the end of the trailer tongue for maximum overlap. 2. Using available mounting holes in the coupler housing, bolt the coupler to the tongue members using grade 5 hardware with locknuts. 3. Torque the grade 5 bolts with locknuts to the appropriate SAE proof load specifications (3/8" = 23 ft.lbs., 1/2" = 55 ft.lbs., 5/8" = 110 ft.lbs.). 4. Ensure no deformation of the trailer tongue end occurs.
1. Insert four (4) 5/8" grade 5 bolts through the coupler and mount plate. 2. Tighten the bolts to 150 ft.lbs. torque.
1. Ensure the coupler internal stop is butted against the end of the trailer tongue for maximum overlap. 2. Center the mounting bracket on the tongue and ensure it remains vertical after installation. 3. Insert two (2) 5/8" x 5" grade 5 bolts through the desired mounting bracket holes and the coupler holes. 4. Tighten the locknuts to 100-110 ft.lbs. 5. If tongue height is 6 inches or less, gussets are required and must be welded with a 1/4 inch minimum fillet weld all around.
1. Ensure the coupler internal stop is butted against the end of the trailer tongue for maximum overlap. 2. Weld on both sides and the top using a 3/16 inch minimum fillet weld. 3. Ensure a minimum coupler/tongue overlap of 6.5 inches. 4. All welding must be performed by an AWS certified welder. 5. If the coupler is to be primed or painted after installation, remove excess paint/primer buildup from the ball pocket and latching mechanism.
Torque specifications for grade 5 bolts are: 3/8" diameter = 23 ft.lbs., 1/2" diameter = 55 ft.lbs., 5/8" diameter = 110 ft.lbs. For Flat-Mount couplers, the four 5/8" bolts are torqued to 150 ft.lbs. For Adjustable Height Channel mounting bracket bolts, locknuts are torqued to 100-110 ft.lbs.
1. Block the trailer wheels. 2. Align the hitch ball beneath the coupler. 3. Open the coupler locking lever. While holding the lever open, lower the coupler over the hitch ball until the ball is fully seated into the ball pocket. 4. If the locking lever is pinned open, remove the pin. Move the locking lever to the closed position. 5. Check that the latch is engaged by lifting up on the back of the locking lever. Verify that the hitch ball is fully seated and the ball clamp is below the ball. 6. Optionally, place a 5/16" pin or lock in the hole shown to secure the lever.
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.
Before towing, perform these checks: 1. Check the vehicle, mounting bracket, hitch, hitch ball, and coupler for signs of wear or damage. 2. Verify that the coupler handle opens and closes freely. 3. Close the coupler securely, ensuring the hitch ball is fully seated in the ball pocket and the pin is inserted behind the collar or through the latch. 4. Check mounting bracket hardware for wear and proper tightness; replace any bent, broken, or worn hardware. 5. Tighten hardware to appropriate SAE proof load specifications using only grade 5 hardware. 6. Ensure trailer safety chains are properly connected to the towing vehicle and trailer according to SAE J684. 7. Verify all trailer lighting is hooked up and working properly.
Use only the proper ball for the coupler as indicated on the coupler body. If uncertain about the correct ball size, contact Cequent Performance Products at 1-800-632-3290 or visit www.cequentgroup.com.
Do not exceed the lesser of the weight ratings for the mounting bracket, coupler, hitch, vehicle, ball, or trailer (including load). Weigh your trailer plus any added load before towing to ensure you do not exceed any component's weight rating.
Do not tow if the ball is not fully seated or the coupler is not closed. The hitch ball must be fully seated in the coupler ball pocket, the locking lever must be in the closed position, and the latch must be engaged. Only when all these conditions are met is it safe to tow.
Use caution when uncoupling as the tongue may rise suddenly due to negative tongue load. Always block the trailer wheels before uncoupling. Ensure the locking lever is fully open while raising the trailer off the hitch ball.
The following maintenance procedures should be performed 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 so dirt and other foreign material will not build up in the ball pocket.
After installation is complete: 1. Check for interference again in both open and closed positions to ensure no interference from the tow vehicle, tongue, ground, or mounted accessories. 2. Verify that coupler operation has not been impaired in any way. 3. If the coupler is to be primed or painted, remove excess paint/primer buildup from the ball pocket and latching mechanism. 4. Do not use the coupler if its operation has been impaired.
If coupler operation has been impaired in any way after installation, do not use it. Replace the complete coupler and mounting bracket. Contact Cequent Performance Products at 1-800-632-3290 for replacement parts.
Keep the ball pocket and 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 coupler ball pocket. If the coupler is painted or primed after installation, remove excess paint/primer buildup from the ball pocket and latching mechanism to ensure proper operation.
The Wedge-Latch® Coupler is designed for 50-degree trailer tongues only. It requires a minimum 6.5" coupler/tongue overlap. Confirm your trailer tongue angle and length before purchasing.
Grade 5 hardware only. No other grade is acceptable.
Yes, if you are welding the coupler. All welding must be performed by an AWS certified welder. Bolt-on versions do not require welding.
For standard A-Frame installation: 110 ft.lbs. For Flat-Mount couplers: 150 ft.lbs. For Adjustable Height Channel mounting bracket: 100-110 ft.lbs.
Verify that the hitch ball is fully seated in the ball pocket, the locking lever is closed, and the latch is engaged. Do not tow if any of these conditions are not met.
At least annually: check set screw torque, grease the ball pocket, oil pivot points with SAE 30 weight motor oil, and inspect/replace the retaining pin if necessary.
If the latch is not engaged, the coupler is not secure. Do not tow. Repeat the coupling steps: open the locking lever, lower the coupler over the hitch ball until fully seated, close the locking lever, and verify the latch is engaged by lifting up on the back of the lever.
If the ball is not fully seated, do not tow. Repeat the coupling steps: block the trailer wheels, open the locking lever, align the hitch ball beneath the coupler, lower the coupler over the ball until it is fully seated in the ball pocket, close the locking lever, and verify the latch is engaged.
If the locking lever will not close, do not tow. The hitch ball may not be fully seated in the ball pocket. Repeat the coupling steps: open the locking lever fully, lower the coupler further over the hitch ball to ensure full seating, then close the locking lever. If the lever still will not close, the coupler may be damaged and should be replaced.
If the coupler handle does not open and close freely, the coupler operation has been impaired. Do not use the coupler. Replace the complete coupler and mounting bracket. Contact Cequent Performance Products at 1-800-632-3290 for replacement parts.
On Sale Today
Original price was $170.00. Current price is $132.68.You save $37.32 (22%)
Free Shipping
Ships free on all orders
Authorized Dealer
FREE ShippingFREE SHIPPING
Estimated delivery Sun, Sep 13 - Wed, Sep 16
Order before 2 PM EST Monday–Friday for same-day processing
Guaranteed safe & secure checkout
George
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
