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Bulldog

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Always the correct part
We know our products
Quality Products
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Designed for utility, horse/livestock, cargo, and construction trailer applications, BULLDOG Collar-Lok Heavy Duty Couplers are the strongest in the industry. The BULLDOG design features the only automatic and continuously tight ball fit in the industry. A variety of coupler styles, tongue mounts, and latches allow configurations to match virtually any trailer. Adjustable couplers assure level operation for trailers when pulled by a variety of different vehicles.
| BRAND: | BULLDOG |
| PART NUMBER: | 4420000317 |
| WARRANTY: | LIMITED 5 YEAR WARRANTY |
| WEIGHT: | 12.65 LBS |
| CAPACITY: | 20,000 LBS. |
| MATERIAL: | STEEL |
| HITCH CLASS: | V |
| SAFETY CHAINS INCLUDED: | NO |

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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No. The Wedge-Latch® Coupler can only be used with 50-degree trailer tongues. Verify your trailer tongue angle before purchasing.
A minimum coupler/tongue overlap of 6.5" is required. The coupler internal stop must be butted against the end of the trailer tongue for maximum overlap before securing.
Yes. All welding must be performed by an AWS certified welder. This is a requirement for both weld-on and bolt-on installations if welding is involved.
Drilling is not required for weld-on installations. For bolt-on A-Frame installations, the coupler uses available mounting holes in the coupler housing. For Flat-Mount couplers, four 5/8" bolts are inserted through pre-existing holes in the coupler and mount plate.
Torque specifications depend on bolt diameter: 3/8" bolts = 23 ft.lbs.; 1/2" bolts = 55 ft.lbs.; 5/8" bolts = 110 ft.lbs. For Flat-Mount couplers, tighten four 5/8" bolts to 150 ft.lbs. For Adjustable Height Channel mounting brackets, tighten 5/8" x 5" bolts to 100–110 ft.lbs.
Yes, gussets are required if the trailer tongue height is 6" or less. The mounting bracket must be centered on the tongue and remain vertical after installation.
For weld-on installations, use a 3/16" minimum fillet weld on both sides and the top. For Adjustable Height Channel mounting brackets, a 1/4" minimum fillet weld is required all around.
Before towing, verify: the hitch ball is fully seated in the coupler ball pocket; the coupler is closed and latched; the ball is the correct size for the coupler; mounting bracket hardware is tight and not worn; safety chains are properly connected per SAE J684; all trailer lighting is working; and the coupler handle opens and closes freely.
Maintenance should be performed at least annually: check set screw torque, grease the ball pocket, oil pivot points with SAE 30 wt. motor oil, and inspect and replace the retaining pin if necessary. Keep the ball pocket and mechanism clean at all times.
The Wedge-Latch® Coupler is a trailer coupler manufactured by Cequent Performance Products that connects a trailer tongue to a towing vehicle hitch ball. It features a locking lever mechanism that secures the ball in the coupler's ball pocket. The coupler is available in weld-on and bolt-on configurations (A-Frame and Flat-Mount) and is designed for 50-degree trailer tongues.
The Wedge-Latch® 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.
A minimum coupler/tongue overlap of 6.5" is required. Before securing the coupler, ensure the coupler internal stop is butted against the end of the trailer tongue to achieve maximum overlap.
Use only the proper ball size indicated on the coupler body. The correct ball size is marked on the coupler itself. If you are uncertain which ball size is correct, contact Cequent Performance Products at 1-800-632-3290 or visit www.cequentgroup.com.
Grade 5 hardware is required for all installations. For Flat-Mount couplers, four 5/8" grade 5 bolts are needed. For A-Frame couplers, the number and size of fasteners must be specified by the trailer manufacturer. For Adjustable Height Channel mounting brackets, two 5/8" x 5" grade 5 bolts are provided with the coupler. All bolts must have locknuts.
Yes. Before installing the coupler, check for interference from the tow vehicle, tongue, ground, and any other mounted accessories in both open and closed positions. Check for interference again after installation is complete to ensure coupler operation is not impaired.
All welding must be performed by an AWS certified welder. Weld on both sides and the top of the coupler using a 3/16" minimum fillet weld. The coupler internal stop must be butted against the end of the trailer tongue for maximum overlap before welding. A minimum 6.5" coupler/tongue overlap is required. After installation, if the coupler is to be primed or painted, remove excess paint/primer buildup from the ball pocket and latching mechanism.
For A-Frame couplers, the coupler internal stop must be butted against the end of the trailer tongue for maximum overlap. The number and size of fasteners must be specified by the trailer manufacturer. Using available mounting holes in the coupler housing, bolt the coupler to the tongue members using grade 5 hardware with locknuts. Torque grade 5 bolts with locknuts to appropriate SAE proof load specifications. No deformation of the trailer tongue end is allowed.
For Flat-Mount couplers, insert four 5/8" grade 5 bolts through the coupler and mount plate. Tighten the bolts to 150 ft.lbs.
Gussets are required if the trailer tongue height is 6" or less. When gussets are required, the mounting bracket must be centered on the tongue and remain vertical after installation. A 1/4" minimum fillet weld is required all around the gussets.
The Adjustable Height Channel (mounting bracket) is used when the trailer tongue height is 6" or less and gussets are required. The mounting bracket must be centered on the tongue and remain vertical after installation. Two 5/8" x 5" grade 5 bolts are inserted through the mounting bracket holes and coupler holes, and tightened to 100–110 ft.lbs. A 1/4" minimum fillet weld is required all around.
3/8" grade 5 bolts should be torqued to 23 ft.lbs.
1/2" grade 5 bolts should be torqued to 55 ft.lbs.
5/8" grade 5 bolts should be torqued to 110 ft.lbs., except for Flat-Mount couplers which use 150 ft.lbs., and Adjustable Height Channel mounting brackets which use 100–110 ft.lbs.
For Flat-Mount couplers, the four 5/8" grade 5 bolts should be tightened to 150 ft.lbs.
For Adjustable Height Channel mounting brackets, the two 5/8" x 5" grade 5 bolts should be tightened to 100–110 ft.lbs.
A 3/16" minimum fillet weld is required on both sides and the top of the coupler.
A 1/4" minimum fillet weld is required all around the mounting bracket.
Before coupling: (1) Block the trailer wheels. (2) Align the hitch ball beneath the coupler. (3) Open the coupler locking lever. (4) While holding the locking lever open, lower the coupler over the hitch ball until the ball is fully seated into the ball pocket. (5) If the locking lever is pinned open, remove the pin. Move the locking lever to the closed position. (6) Check that the latch is engaged by lifting up on the back of the locking lever. (7) Verify that the hitch ball is fully seated and the ball clamp is below the ball. If the ball is not seated with the lever in the closed position and latch engaged, do not tow and repeat the steps.
Before uncoupling: (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.
It is safe to tow only when: the hitch ball is fully seated in the coupler ball pocket, the coupler is closed, the latch is engaged, and the ball clamp is below the ball. Do not tow if the ball is not fully seated, the coupler is not closed, the latch is not engaged, or the lever is not closed.
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 these limits.
Use caution when uncoupling because the tongue may rise suddenly due to negative tongue load. Always block the trailer wheels before uncoupling. Never position any part of your body under the coupler or the load being supported.
Do not use the coupler if its operation has been impaired in any way after installation. If the coupler handle does not open and close freely, or if the coupler is deformed or damaged, replace the complete coupler and mounting bracket.
When parking or storing your trailer, keep the coupler off the ground so dirt and other foreign material will not build up in the coupler ball pocket. Keep the ball pocket and mechanism clean at all times.
Before towing, check the mounting bracket hardware for signs of wear and proper tightness. Replace any bent, broken, or worn hardware. Tighten all hardware to appropriate SAE proof load specifications using only grade 5 hardware.
Make sure that the trailer safety chains are properly connected to the towing vehicle and trailer according to SAE J684.
Make sure that all trailer lighting is hooked up and working properly before towing.
After installation, check to make sure that coupler operation has not been impaired in any way. Verify that the coupler handle opens and closes freely. Check for interference from the tow vehicle, tongue, ground, and any other mounted accessories in both open and closed positions. If the coupler is to be primed or painted, remove excess paint/primer buildup from the ball pocket and latching mechanism.
The following procedures should be performed at least annually: check set screw torque, grease the ball pocket, oil pivot points with SAE 30 wt. motor oil, and inspect the retaining pin and replace if necessary. Keep the ball pocket and mechanism clean at all times.
Keep the ball pocket and mechanism clean. When parking or storing your trailer, keep the coupler off the ground so dirt and other foreign material will not build up in the coupler ball pocket. As part of annual maintenance, grease the ball pocket.
Oil the pivot points with SAE 30 wt. motor oil as part of annual maintenance.
Inspect the retaining pin at least annually and replace it if necessary. The retaining pin holds the locking lever in the closed position and should be checked for wear or damage.
No. The purchaser/owner must not alter or modify the coupler. Any modifications not specified in the installation instructions will void the warranty and may result in unsafe operation.
The correct ball size is indicated on the coupler body. If you are uncertain, contact Cequent Performance Products at 1-800-632-3290 or visit www.cequentgroup.com.
Replacement parts are available through Cequent Performance Products' Customer Service Department at 1-800-632-3290. Use only Cequent Performance Products' parts or parts of equal quality for repair. Please specify the product model number when ordering.
Cequent Performance Products warrants the Wedge-Latch® Coupler to be free from defects in material and workmanship for five years from the date of purchase for Bulldog® and Fulton® products, and one year for Pro-Series® products, provided that installation and use are in accordance with the product instructions. This warranty covers the original consumer purchaser only and is not transferable. The warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, damage from abuse, misuse, improper installation, overloading, or improper maintenance.
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 will need to provide the product and your purchase receipt to verify that you are the original consumer purchaser. You are responsible for return shipping costs.
No. The warranty is not transferable and applies only to the original consumer purchaser.
The warranty does not cover: (a) normal wear and tear; (b) damage from abuse, neglect, misuse, or accidents; (c) damage from misapplication, overloading, or improper installation, including welds; (d) improper maintenance and repair; or (e) product alterations made by anyone other than Cequent Performance Products, except for alterations made pursuant to product instructions and in a workmanlike manner.
If the coupler does not comply with the warranty, Cequent Performance Products will replace the product without charge within a reasonable time or, at their option, refund the purchase price. Repair or replacement is your sole remedy. Cequent is not liable for service or labor charges incurred in removing or replacing the product or any incidental or consequential damages.
If the hitch ball is not fully seated in the coupler ball pocket, do not tow. Repeat the coupling steps: (1) Block trailer wheels. (2) Align hitch ball beneath coupler. (3) Open coupler locking lever. (4) While holding locking lever open, lower coupler over hitch ball until ball is fully seated. (5) Remove pin if present. Move locking lever to closed position. (6) Verify ball is fully seated and ball clamp is below ball before towing.
If the latch is not engaged, do not tow. Repeat the coupling steps: (1) Block trailer wheels. (2) Align hitch ball beneath coupler. (3) Open coupler locking lever. (4) While holding locking lever open, lower coupler over hitch ball until ball is fully seated. (5) Remove pin if present. Move locking lever to closed position. (6) Check latch engagement by lifting up on back of locking lever. If latch is still not engaged, do not tow and repeat the steps.
If the locking lever is not closed, do not tow. Ensure the locking lever is fully moved to the closed position. If the lever will not close, check that the hitch ball is properly aligned and fully seated in the ball pocket. If the lever still will not close, the coupler may be damaged and should not be used.
If the coupler handle does not open and close freely, do not use the coupler. The coupler operation has been impaired. Check for dirt, debris, or damage in the ball pocket and latching mechanism. Clean the ball pocket and mechanism. If the handle still does not operate freely, the coupler may be damaged and should be replaced.
If the coupler or mounting bracket is deformed or damaged, replace the complete coupler and mounting bracket. Do not attempt to repair a damaged coupler. A damaged coupler cannot safely support the trailer load and may fail during towing.
Check the mounting bracket hardware for proper tightness before each towing trip. If hardware is loose, tighten it to the appropriate SAE proof load specifications: 3/8" bolts = 23 ft.lbs., 1/2" bolts = 55 ft.lbs., 5/8" bolts = 110 ft.lbs. (or 100–110 ft.lbs. for Adjustable Height Channel brackets). Replace any bent, broken, or worn hardware with grade 5 hardware.
Keep the ball pocket and mechanism clean. 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 dirt or debris has accumulated, clean the ball pocket and mechanism. As part of annual maintenance, grease the ball pocket.
Use caution when uncoupling because the tongue may rise suddenly due to negative tongue load. Always block the trailer wheels before uncoupling. Never position any part of your body under the coupler or the load being supported. If the tongue rises unexpectedly, move away from the trailer immediately.




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May 22, 2023