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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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The Bulldog Collar-Lok™ coupler is a trailer coupling device that connects a trailer to a towing vehicle via a hitch ball. It is available in multiple styles (M-Style, L-Style, H-Style) and models (3B, 2B, 4B, 5B) to accommodate different trailer tongue configurations. The coupler is rated according to SAE J684 standards and must be rigidly attached to the trailer to support its maximum rated load.
Minimum tongue overlap varies by coupler model: 2.5" for standard models, 6.5" for 3B models, 7" for certain models, and 8.5" for 2B, 4B, and 5B models. The coupler internal stop must be butted against the end of the trailer tongue to achieve maximum overlap. The tongue may fit over or into the coupler depending on the model.
Use only the proper ball size for your 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 www.cequentgroup.com.
The coupler comes with supplied bolts. The number and size of fasteners required must be specified by the trailer manufacturer. Grade 5 bolts with locknuts are required for bolt-on installation. A 3.0" channel is not included and must be obtained separately.
Yes. Before mounting the coupler, confirm that there will be no interference from the tow vehicle, tongue, ground, and any other mounted accessories while stationary or in motion. Check for interference in both open and closed positions before installation, and check again after installation is complete.
1) Block trailer wheels. 2) Align hitch ball beneath coupler. 3) If coupler is closed, open it by removing the pin and sliding the collar away from the ball pocket; ensure the coupler cap is open and holds the collar back. 4) Lower the trailer onto the hitch ball. 5) Visually check that the hitch ball is fully seated in the coupler. 6) Close the coupler cap carefully, ensuring the collar springs toward the ball pocket and captures the cap. 7) Reinsert the pin behind the collar. Do not tow without the pin in place.
1) Block trailer wheels. 2) Open the coupler by removing the pin behind the collar and sliding the collar away from the ball pocket; ensure the coupler cap is open and holds the collar back. 3) Raise the trailer from the hitch ball. Use caution as the tongue may rise suddenly due to negative tongue load.
The manual does not explicitly state whether drilling is required. For bolt-on installation, fastener holes must be present or created according to the trailer manufacturer's specifications. For weld-on installation, no drilling is required, but AWS certified welding is mandatory. Contact the trailer manufacturer or Cequent Performance Products at 1-800-632-3290 for specific installation requirements for your trailer.
Welding is required only if you are using a weld-on coupler. All welding must be performed by an AWS certified welder. If using a weld-on coupler, weld 3/16" around the interface between coupler and tongue with no undercut or washout. Bolt-on installation is an alternative that uses grade 5 bolts with locknuts instead of welding.
Torque grade 5 bolts with locknuts to the following SAE proof load specifications: 3/8" diameter bolts to 23 ft.lbs., 1/2" diameter bolts to 55 ft.lbs., and 5/8" diameter bolts to 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.
Before towing, perform the following checks: 1) Check vehicle, channel, hitch, hitch ball and coupler for signs of wear or damage and that the coupler handle opens and closes freely. 2) Replace bent, broken, or worn parts before using. 3) Close coupler securely, ensuring the hitch ball is fully seated in the coupler ball pocket and the pin is inserted behind the collar or latch. 4) Check channel hardware for wear and proper tightness; replace bent, broken, or worn hardware and tighten to appropriate SAE proof load specifications using only grade 5 hardware. 5) Ensure trailer safety chains are properly connected to the towing vehicle and trailer per SAE J684. 6) Verify all trailer lighting is hooked up and working properly.
Never position any part of your body under any portion of the product or the load being supported. Do not allow children to play on or around the product or load. Never exceed the maximum rated capacity shown on the coupler's stamped markings or decals. Do not tow if the ball is not fully seated or the coupler is not closed. Always block trailer wheels before coupling or uncoupling. Use caution when uncoupling as the tongue may rise suddenly due to negative tongue load. Do not use the coupler if its operation has been impaired in any way.
Perform the following maintenance procedures 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 retaining pins 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 is complete, verify that the coupler operation has not been impaired in any way. Check for interference again in both open and closed positions. Do not use the coupler if its operation has been impaired. Ensure the coupler is rigidly attached to the trailer so it can support its maximum rated load according to SAE J684.
The coupler is available in multiple models (3B, 2B, 4B, 5B, and others) with different minimum tongue overlap requirements (2.5" to 8.5"). Verify your trailer's tongue length and coupler style match the model specifications. Contact Cequent Performance Products at 1-800-632-3290 or www.cequentgroup.com if uncertain.
You must obtain a 3.0" channel (not included). The number and size of grade 5 bolts and locknuts required must be specified by your trailer manufacturer. For weld-on installation, you need an AWS certified welder.
Torque 5/8" diameter grade 5 bolts with locknuts to 110 ft.lbs. according to SAE proof load specifications.
No. Do not tow without the pin in place. The pin must be reinserted behind the collar after the hitch ball is fully seated in the coupler.
Perform maintenance at least annually: check set screw torque, grease the ball pocket, oil pivot points with SAE 30 weight motor oil, and inspect retaining pins. Keep the ball pocket and mechanism clean at all times.
This indicates the coupler operation may be impaired. Do not use the coupler. Check for signs of wear or damage. If the coupler is deformed or damaged, replace the complete coupler and bracket. Contact Cequent Performance Products at 1-800-632-3290 for replacement parts.
Do not tow. Ensure the coupler is fully open by removing the pin and sliding the collar away from the ball pocket. Lower the trailer completely onto the hitch ball and visually verify that the ball is fully seated in the coupler ball pocket before closing the coupler cap and reinserting the pin.
Ensure the hitch ball is fully seated in the coupler ball pocket before attempting to close the coupler cap. Verify the coupler cap is open and the collar is held back. Close the coupler cap carefully and ensure the collar springs toward the ball pocket and captures the cap. If the coupler still does not close properly, the coupler may be damaged and should be replaced.
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. Perform annual maintenance that includes cleaning and greasing the ball pocket.
Yes, this is normal. The tongue may rise suddenly due to negative tongue load when uncoupling. Use caution during uncoupling and ensure the trailer is properly supported before fully raising it from the hitch ball.
| Part Number | Model Number | Capacity (lbs.) | Overall Length (in.) | Latch | Ball Size (in.) | SAE Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 028384 | 2BBH | 5,000 | 16.00 | High Profile | 2 | III |
| 028288 | 2BBL | 5,000 | 16.00 | Low Profile | 2 | III |
| 028386 | 3BBH | 7,000 | 16.00 | High Profile | 2 | IV |
| 028287 | 3BBL | 7,000 | 16.00 | Low Profile | 2 | IV |
| 02828720 | 3BBL | 7,000 | 16.00 | Low Profile | 2 | IV |
| 028463 | 4BBH | 12,500 | 16.50 | High Profile | 2-5/16 | - |
| 028499 | 4BBL | 12,500 | 16.50 | Low Profile | 2-5/16 | - |
Jennifer
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
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