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Bulldog
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We know our 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: | 4425000317 |
| WARRANTY: | LIMITED 5 YEAR WARRANTY |
| WEIGHT: | 12.25 LBS |
| BALL DIAMETER: | 2.313 IN. |
| CAPACITY: | 25,000 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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This coupler is designed exclusively for 50-degree trailer tongues. Do not use with any other tongue angle.
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.
The Wedge-Latch® Coupler is a trailer coupler manufactured by Cequent Performance Products. It is available in two configurations: A-Frame (bolt-on) and Flat-Mount (bolt-on), and can also be welded to trailer tongues. It is designed for use with 50-degree trailer tongues and requires a matching hitch ball.
No. You must use only the proper ball for this coupler as indicated on the coupler body. If you are uncertain which ball size is correct, contact Cequent Performance Products at 1-800-632-3290 or visit www.cequentgroup.com.
Four (4) 5/8" grade 5 bolts are required. These bolts are inserted through the coupler and mount plate and tightened to 150 ft. lbs.
Two (2) 5/8" × 5" grade 5 bolts are required. Tighten the lock nuts to 100–110 ft. lbs. This configuration is used when the coupler is secured using two sets of holes in the mounting bracket.
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. These are SAE proof load specifications. Always use grade 5 hardware only.
Welding is required only if you choose the weld-on installation method. The coupler is also available in bolt-on configurations (A-Frame and Flat-Mount) that do not require welding. If welding is performed, all welding must be done by an AWS certified welder.
All welding must be performed by an AWS certified welder. Weld on both sides and the top 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 coupler/tongue overlap of 6.5" is required.
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. A 1/4" minimum fillet weld is required all around the gussets.
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. All welding must be performed by an AWS certified welder. The coupler must be rigidly attached to the trailer to support its maximum rated load per SAE J684.
If the coupler is to be primed or painted after installation, make sure excess paint or primer buildup is removed from the ball pocket and latching mechanism. This is critical to ensure proper coupler operation.
1) Block the trailer wheels. 2) Align the hitch ball beneath the coupler. 3) Open the coupler locking lever and, while holding it fully 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. 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. If the ball is not fully seated with the lever closed and latch engaged, do not tow. Repeat the steps. 5) Optionally, place a 5/16" pin or lock in the hole shown.
1) Block the trailer wheels. 2) Open the locking lever. While holding the locking lever fully open, raise the trailer off the hitch ball. Note: A 5/16" diameter pin can be used to hold the locking lever open. 3) Return the handle to the closed position.
Before towing, check the vehicle, mounting bracket, hitch, hitch ball, and coupler for signs of wear or damage and ensure the coupler handle opens and closes freely. If the coupler or mounting bracket is deformed or damaged, replace the complete coupler and mounting bracket. Replace any bent, broken, or worn parts. Close the coupler securely by ensuring the hitch ball is fully seated in the coupler ball pocket and the pin is inserted behind the collar or through the latch. Check mounting bracket hardware for wear and proper tightness; replace any bent, broken, or worn hardware and tighten to appropriate SAE proof load specifications using only grade 5 hardware. Ensure trailer safety chains are properly connected to the towing vehicle and trailer per SAE J684. Ensure all trailer lighting is hooked up and working properly.
Weigh your trailer plus added load. Do not exceed the lesser of the weight ratings for the mounting bracket, coupler, hitch, vehicle, ball, or trailer (including load). Refer to the specifications for your specific coupler model to determine its weight rating.
Do not tow if the ball is not fully seated in the coupler ball pocket or if the coupler is not closed. Do not tow if the locking lever is not fully closed, the latch is not engaged, or the ball clamp is not below the ball. If coupler operation has been impaired in any way after installation, do not use it.
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 any portion of the coupler or the load being supported.
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. 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.
After installation, check to make sure that coupler operation has not been impaired in any way. Check for interference again in both open and closed positions. If coupler operation has been impaired, do not use it. If the coupler is to be primed or painted, make sure excess paint or primer buildup is removed from the ball pocket and latching mechanism.
Yes. Always block the trailer wheels before coupling or uncoupling the coupler.
Tighten 5/8" grade 5 bolts to 150 ft. lbs. for Flat-Mount Coupler installations.
The hitch ball must be fully seated in the coupler ball pocket, the locking lever must be closed, and the latch must be engaged. The ball clamp must be below the ball. Do not tow if any of these conditions are not met.
Maintenance 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 and replace the retaining pin if necessary.
If the ball is not fully seated with the locking lever in the closed position and the latch engaged, do not tow. Repeat the coupling steps: block the trailer wheels, align the hitch ball beneath the coupler, open the locking lever fully, lower the coupler over the hitch ball until the ball is fully seated, close the locking lever, and verify the latch is engaged by lifting up on the back of the lever.
If the locking lever will not close, 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 until it is fully seated, then close the locking lever. If the lever still will not close, do not tow and contact Cequent Performance Products at 1-800-632-3290.
If the coupler handle does not open and close freely, coupler operation may be impaired. Do not use the coupler. Check for dirt, debris, or damage in the ball pocket and latching mechanism. Clean the ball pocket and mechanism. If the problem persists, contact Cequent Performance Products at 1-800-632-3290 for replacement parts or a replacement coupler.
If the coupler or mounting bracket is deformed or damaged, replace the complete coupler and mounting bracket. Do not attempt to repair a deformed or damaged coupler. Contact Cequent Performance Products at 1-800-632-3290 to order replacement parts.
Check mounting bracket hardware for wear and proper tightness before each towing trip. If hardware is loose, tighten it to the appropriate SAE proof load specifications: 3/8" bolts to 23 ft. lbs., 1/2" bolts to 55 ft. lbs., 5/8" bolts to 110 ft. lbs. If hardware is bent, broken, or worn, replace it with grade 5 hardware of the same size.
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May 22, 2023
