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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 are the strongest in the industry. The BULLDOG design features th eonly 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: | 028656 |
| WARRANTY: | LIMITED 5 YEAR WARRANTY |
| WEIGHT: | 16 LBS |
| CAPACITY: | 15,000 LBS. |
| MODEL NUMBER: | 5B8H |
| BALL DIAMETER: | 2.313 IN. |
| MATERIAL: | STEEL |
| MOUNTING HARDWARE INCLUDED: | NO |
| STYLE: | A-FRAME |
| HITCH CLASS: | V |
| SAFETY CHAINS INCLUDED: | NO |
| COLOR: | GRAY |
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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The Bulldog Collar-Lok™ coupler is a trailer tongue coupler that connects a trailer to a towing vehicle via a hitch ball. It is available in four models (2B, 3B, 4B, and 5B) and can be installed either by welding or bolting to the trailer tongue. The coupler features a collar mechanism that secures the hitch ball and is held in place with a retaining pin. It is rated according to SAE J684 standards.
Minimum tongue overlap depends on your coupler model: 2B, 4B, and 5B models require 8.5" minimum overlap; 3B model requires 6.5" minimum overlap. One model allows 7" minimum overlap, and another allows 2.5" minimum overlap (tongue may fit over or into coupler). Ensure the coupler internal stop is butted against the end of the trailer tongue for maximum overlap before securing.
Use only the proper ball size for your coupler as indicated on the coupler body itself. If you are uncertain which ball size is correct, contact Cequent Performance Products at 1-800-632-3290 or visit www.cequentgroup.com.
The coupler comes with supplied bolts and a retaining pin. A 3.0" channel is not included and must be obtained separately. For bolt-on installation, grade 5 bolts with locknuts are required; the number and size of fasteners must be specified by the trailer manufacturer.
Yes. Before mounting the coupler, confirm 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 before installation, and check again after installation is complete.
Yes. Bolt-on installation is an option. Ensure the coupler internal stop is butted against the end of the trailer tongue for maximum overlap. Torque grade 5 bolts with locknuts to appropriate SAE proof load specifications (3/8" – 23 ft.lbs., 1/2" – 55 ft.lbs., 5/8" – 110 ft.lbs.). No deformation of the trailer tongue end is allowed. The number and size of fasteners required must be specified by the trailer manufacturer.
All welding must be performed by an AWS certified welder. Ensure the coupler internal stop is butted against the end of the trailer tongue for maximum overlap. Weld 3/16" around the interface between coupler and tongue. Do not create undercut or washout while welding.
Torque grade 5 bolts with locknuts to the following SAE proof load specifications: 3/8" diameter – 23 ft.lbs.; 1/2" diameter – 55 ft.lbs.; 5/8" diameter – 110 ft.lbs. These specifications apply to both initial installation and annual retorque checks.
Before towing, perform these checks: (1) Inspect vehicle, channel, hitch, hitch ball, and coupler for wear or damage; ensure coupler handle opens and closes freely. (2) Verify hitch ball is fully seated in coupler ball pocket, coupler is closed, and pin is inserted behind collar or through latch. (3) Check channel hardware for wear and proper tightness; tighten to appropriate SAE proof load specifications using only grade 5 hardware. (4) Verify trailer safety chains are properly connected per SAE J684. (5) Confirm all trailer lighting is hooked up and working. Do not tow if ball is not fully seated or coupler is not closed.
Do not exceed the lesser of the mounting bracket, coupler, hitch, vehicle, ball, or trailer weight ratings (including load). Never exceed the maximum rated capacity. Refer to the stamped markings or decals on the product to obtain the rated capacity. If uncertain, contact Cequent Performance Products at 1-800-632-3290 or www.cequentgroup.com.
The coupling procedure varies by coupler style. For L-Style and M-Style couplers: (1) Block trailer wheels. (2) Align hitch ball beneath coupler. (3) If coupler is closed, open it by removing the pin behind the collar and sliding the collar away from the ball pocket; ensure coupler cap is open. (4) Lower trailer onto hitch ball. (5) Visually check that hitch ball is fully seated in coupler. (6) Carefully close coupler cap; ensure collar springs toward ball pocket and captures cap. (7) Reinsert pin behind collar. Do not tow without pin in place. (8) Always secure safety chains to vehicle per SAE J684. For H-Style couplers, the procedure is similar but uses a latch and pin instead of a collar.
The uncoupling procedure varies by coupler style. For L-Style and M-Style couplers: (1) Block trailer wheels. (2) Open coupler by removing pin behind collar and sliding collar away from ball pocket; ensure coupler cap is open. (3) Raise trailer from hitch ball. For H-Style couplers, remove the pin in the latch and lift the latch instead of sliding the collar. Use caution when uncoupling as the tongue may rise suddenly due to negative tongue load.
Perform the following maintenance at least annually: (1) Check welds and mounting bolt torque; retorque bolts to appropriate SAE proof load specifications (3/8" – 23 ft.lbs., 1/2" – 55 ft.lbs., 5/8" – 110 ft.lbs.). (2) Grease the ball pocket. (3) Oil pivot points with SAE 30 wt. motor oil. (4) Inspect retaining pins and replace if necessary. 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 foreign material do not build up in the ball pocket.
After installation is complete, verify 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. The coupler must be rigidly attached to the trailer in order to support its maximum rated load according to SAE J684.
Do not use the coupler. If coupler operation has been impaired in any way after installation, do not tow with it. Replace the complete coupler and bracket if the coupler and/or channel is deformed or damaged.
Follow these safety precautions: (1) Never position any part of your body under any portion of the product or the load being supported. (2) Do not allow children to play on or around the product or load. (3) Always secure load, vehicle, and trailer by blocking wheels before latching or unlatching coupler. (4) Use caution when uncoupling as tongue may rise suddenly due to negative tongue load. (5) Do not tow if ball is not fully seated or coupler is not closed. (6) Always secure safety chains to the towing vehicle and trailer according to SAE J684. (7) Do not alter or modify the product.
Cequent Performance Products warrants the coupler to be free from material defects in both material and workmanship for five years from the date of purchase, provided installation and use are in accordance with product instructions. The warranty covers the original consumer purchaser only and is not transferable. The warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, damage from abuse, neglect, misuse, accidents, misapplication, overloading, improper installation (including welds), improper maintenance, or product alterations by anyone other than the manufacturer. If the product does not comply with the warranty, the sole remedy is replacement without charge or refund of purchase price at the manufacturer's option. Contact Cequent Performance Products at 1-800-632-3290 or 47912 Halyard Dr. Suite 100, Plymouth, MI 48170 to make a claim.
The Bulldog Collar-Lok™ coupler is available in four models (2B, 3B, 4B, 5B) with different minimum tongue overlap requirements (2.5", 6.5", 7", or 8.5"). Verify your trailer tongue length matches your coupler model's minimum overlap requirement. Contact Cequent Performance Products at 1-800-632-3290 if you are uncertain which model fits your trailer.
For bolt-on installation, you need tools to torque bolts to SAE specifications (3/8" – 23 ft.lbs., 1/2" – 55 ft.lbs., 5/8" – 110 ft.lbs.). For weld-on installation, an AWS certified welder is required. The manual does not specify other tools needed.
The manual does not specify whether drilling is required for bolt-on installation. The number and size of fasteners required must be specified by the trailer manufacturer.
An AWS certified welder is required only if you choose weld-on installation. Bolt-on installation is also available as an alternative and does not require welding.
Torque 1/2" grade 5 bolts with locknuts to 55 ft.lbs. according to SAE proof load specifications.
No. Do not tow without the retaining pin in place. The pin must be reinserted behind the collar (or in the latch for H-style couplers) after the hitch ball is fully seated and the coupler cap is closed.
Perform maintenance at least annually: check welds and retorque bolts, grease the ball pocket, oil pivot points with SAE 30 wt. motor oil, and inspect retaining pins. Keep the ball pocket and mechanism clean at all times.
Before towing, check that the hitch ball is fully seated in the coupler, the coupler is closed with the pin in place, the coupler handle opens and closes freely, channel hardware is tight, and all trailer lighting works. Do not tow if the ball is not fully seated or coupler is not closed.
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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
