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Bulldog
Always the correct part
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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: | 028386 |
| WARRANTY: | LIMITED 5 YEAR WARRANTY |
| WEIGHT: | 13.5 LBS |
| CAPACITY: | 7,000 LBS. |
| MODEL NUMBER: | 3B8H |
| BALL DIAMETER: | 2 IN. |
| MATERIAL: | STEEL |
| MOUNTING HARDWARE INCLUDED: | NO |
| MOUNTING HOLE DIAMETER: | 2.312 IN. |
| MOUNTING HOLE QUANTITY: | 3 |
| STYLE: | A-FRAME |
| HITCH CLASS: | IV |
| 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 three styles (L-Style, H-Style, and M-Style) and four models (2B, 3B, 4B, 5B) with different minimum tongue overlap requirements. The coupler uses a collar and cap mechanism to secure the hitch ball, and is rated according to SAE J684 standard.
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.
Yes. The manual specifies a 3.0" channel is required but not included with the coupler. You must obtain this separately. The number and size of fasteners required to attach the coupler to the channel must be specified by your trailer manufacturer.
Use only the proper ball for the coupler as 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 www.cequentgroup.com.
Yes. All welding must be performed by an AWS (American Welding Society) certified welder. This is a mandatory requirement stated multiple times in the manual and is essential for the coupler to support its maximum rated load according to SAE J684.
1. Assure the coupler internal stop is butted against the end of the trailer tongue for maximum overlap. 2. Weld 3/16" around the interface between coupler and tongue. 3. Ensure no undercut or washout occurs while welding. The coupler must be rigidly attached to the trailer to support its maximum rated load. All welding must be performed by an AWS certified welder.
1. Assure the coupler internal stop is butted against the end of the trailer tongue for maximum overlap before securing. 2. Torque grade 5 bolts with locknuts to appropriate SAE proof load specifications (see torque specs table). 3. Allow no deformation of the trailer tongue end. The number and size of fasteners required must be specified by the trailer manufacturer.
Grade 5 bolts and locknuts must be torqued to the following SAE proof load specifications: 3/8" diameter bolts: 23 ft-lbs; 1/2" diameter bolts: 55 ft-lbs; 5/8" diameter bolts: 110 ft-lbs. Use only grade 5 hardware. The number and size of fasteners required must be specified by your trailer manufacturer.
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. After installation is complete, check again for interference. The coupler must be rigidly attached to the trailer to support its maximum rated load.
Do not exceed the lesser of the mounting bracket, coupler, hitch, vehicle, ball, or trailer weight ratings (including load). Refer to the stamped markings or decals on the product to obtain the rated capacity. Never exceed maximum rated capacity. If uncertain about the capacity, contact Cequent Performance Products at 1-800-632-3290 or www.cequentgroup.com.
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 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. Carefully close the coupler cap, 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. 8. Always secure safety chains to the vehicle before towing according to SAE J684.
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.
1. Block trailer wheels. 2. Align hitch ball beneath coupler. 3. If coupler is closed, open it by removing the pin in the latch and lifting the latch. 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. Carefully close the coupler cap and lower the latch, ensuring the collar springs toward the ball pocket and captures the cap. 7. Reinsert the pin in the latch. Do not tow without the pin in place. 8. Always secure safety chains to the vehicle before towing according to SAE J684.
1. Block trailer wheels. 2. Open the coupler by removing the pin in the latch and lifting the latch. 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.
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 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. Carefully close the coupler cap, 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. 8. Always secure safety chains to the vehicle before towing according to SAE J684.
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.
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. If coupler and/or channel is deformed or damaged, replace the complete coupler and bracket. 3. Always replace bent, broken, or worn parts before using. 4. Check that the hitch ball is fully seated in the coupler ball pocket, close the coupler, and insert the pin behind the collar or through the latch. 5. 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. 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.
The following procedures should be performed at least annually: 1. Check welds and mounting bolt 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.
Grease the ball pocket annually. Oil pivot points with SAE 30 weight motor oil annually. Keep the ball pocket and mechanism clean at all times.
No. Do not tow if the ball is not fully seated and/or the coupler is not closed. Before towing, visually check that the hitch ball is fully seated in the coupler ball pocket, close the coupler, and insert the pin behind the collar or through the latch.
Do not use the coupler. After installing the channel and/or coupler, if coupler operation has been impaired in any way, do not use it. After installation, check to make sure that coupler operation has not been impaired. If its operation has been impaired, do not use the coupler.
Use caution when uncoupling as the tongue may rise suddenly due to negative tongue load. Always block trailer wheels before uncoupling. Always secure the load, vehicle, and trailer (by blocking wheels) before latching/unlatching the coupler.
No. Do not allow children to play on or around this product or the load being supported.
No. Operator and bystanders should never position any part of their body under any portion of this product or the load being supported.
No. A 3.0" channel is required but not included. You must purchase it separately. The number and size of fasteners required must be specified by your trailer manufacturer.
Yes. All welding must be performed by an AWS certified welder. Weld 3/16" around the interface between coupler and tongue with no undercut or washout.
Use grade 5 bolts only. Torque 3/8" bolts to 23 ft-lbs, 1/2" bolts to 55 ft-lbs, and 5/8" bolts to 110 ft-lbs according to SAE proof load specifications.
Minimum overlap varies by model: 2B, 4B, 5B = 8.5"; 3B = 6.5"; other models = 7" or 2.5". Ensure the coupler internal stop is butted against the trailer tongue end for maximum overlap.
No. Do not tow without the pin in place. Always reinsert the pin behind the collar (L/M-Style) or in the latch (H-Style) after coupling.
Perform maintenance at least annually: check welds and bolt torque, grease the ball pocket, oil pivot points with SAE 30 weight motor oil, and inspect retaining pins. Keep the ball pocket clean and store the coupler off the ground.
Check vehicle, channel, hitch, ball, and coupler for wear or damage; verify the coupler handle opens and closes freely; confirm the ball is fully seated; check channel hardware tightness; verify safety chains are connected; and ensure all trailer lights work.
| 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 | - |
Matt
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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