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Bulldog
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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.
| BRAND: | BULLDOG |
| PART NUMBER: | 028461 |
| WARRANTY: | LIMITED 5 YEAR WARRANTY |
| WEIGHT: | 10.5 LBS |
| CAPACITY: | 12,500 LBS. |
| COLOR: | GRAY |
| MODEL NUMBER: | 4B2H |
| MATERIAL: | STEEL |
| BALL DIAMETER: | 2.313 IN. |
| MOUNTING HARDWARE INCLUDED: | NO |
| CHANNEL WIDTH: | 2.25 IN. |
| 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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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, 5B) with different minimum tongue overlap requirements. The coupler features a collar-locking mechanism that secures the hitch ball in the ball pocket. The product is rated according to SAE J684 standard for trailer safety.
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. 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 for interference again to ensure coupler operation has not been impaired.
The coupler comes with a retaining pin and supplied bolts. A 3.0" channel is not included and must be obtained separately. The number and size of fasteners required for bolt-on installation must be specified by the trailer manufacturer.
All welding must be performed by an AWS certified welder. If you are using a weld-on coupler, you must hire a certified welder to complete the installation. For bolt-on installation, you will need grade 5 bolts with locknuts and appropriate tools, but the manual does not specify whether professional installation is required for bolt-on models.
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. (4) Lower trailer onto hitch ball. (5) Visually check that hitch ball is fully seated in coupler. (6) Close coupler cap carefully, ensuring collar springs toward ball pocket and captures cap. (7) Reinsert pin behind collar—do not tow without pin in place. (8) Secure safety chains to vehicle per SAE J684. For H-Style coupler, use the latch instead of the 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 and holds collar back. (3) Raise trailer from hitch ball. For H-Style coupler, remove the pin in the latch and lift the latch instead of sliding the collar.
The manual does not specify whether drilling is required. For weld-on installation, the coupler is welded to the trailer tongue. For bolt-on installation, the manual states that the number and size of fasteners required must be specified by the trailer manufacturer, but does not confirm whether existing holes are present or new holes must be drilled.
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. Use only grade 5 hardware. Tighten hardware to appropriate SAE proof load specifications and check channel hardware for proper tightness before towing.
If using a weld-on coupler, weld 3/16" around the interface between coupler and tongue. Ensure the coupler internal stop is butted against the end of the trailer tongue for maximum overlap. No undercut or washout is allowed while welding. All welding must be performed by an AWS certified welder.
Do not exceed the lesser of the mounting bracket, coupler, hitch, vehicle, ball, or trailer weight ratings (including load). Weigh your trailer plus added load before towing. Refer to stamped markings or decals on the product to obtain the rated capacity. Never exceed maximum rated capacity. If uncertain about capacity, contact Cequent Performance Products at 1-800-632-3290 or www.cequentgroup.com.
Before towing, perform these checks: (1) Check vehicle, channel, hitch, hitch ball, and coupler for signs of wear or damage and that coupler handle opens and closes freely. (2) Replace bent, broken, or worn parts before using. (3) Check that hitch ball is fully seated in coupler ball pocket, close coupler, and insert pin. (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 towing vehicle and trailer per SAE J684. (6) Verify all trailer lighting is hooked up and working properly. (7) Do not tow if ball is not fully seated and/or coupler is not closed.
Use only the proper ball for the coupler as indicated on the coupler body. If uncertain which ball size is correct, contact Cequent Performance Products at 1-800-632-3290 or www.cequentgroup.com.
Always block trailer wheels before latching or unlatching the coupler. Use caution when uncoupling as the tongue may rise suddenly due to negative tongue load. 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.
After installation, check to make sure that coupler operation has not been impaired in any way. If coupler operation has been impaired, do not use it. Verify that the coupler handle opens and closes freely. Check for interference again after installation is complete to ensure no obstruction from the tow vehicle, tongue, ground, or other mounted accessories in either open or closed positions.
The following procedures should be performed at least annually: (1) Check welds and mounting bolt torque. (2) Grease 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. When parking or storing your trailer, keep the coupler off the ground so dirt and/or other foreign material will not build up in the coupler ball pocket.
When parking or storing your trailer, keep the coupler off the ground so dirt and/or other foreign material will not build up in the coupler ball pocket. Keep the ball pocket and mechanism clean at all times.
If the coupler handle does not open and close freely, this indicates a problem. Check the coupler for signs of wear or damage. If the coupler is deformed or damaged, replace the complete coupler and bracket. Do not use the coupler if its operation has been impaired in any way.
Do not tow if the ball is not fully seated in the coupler ball pocket. Before towing, visually check that the hitch ball is fully seated in the coupler. If the ball does not seat properly, check that you are using the correct ball size as indicated on the coupler body. If uncertain, contact Cequent Performance Products at 1-800-632-3290 or www.cequentgroup.com.
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"). Confirm your model and that your trailer tongue meets the minimum overlap requirement. Before installing, check for interference from the tow vehicle, tongue, ground, and other accessories in both open and closed positions.
For weld-on installation: an AWS certified welder and 3.0" channel (not included). For bolt-on installation: grade 5 bolts with locknuts (size and quantity per trailer manufacturer), torque wrench, and appropriate tools. The coupler includes a retaining pin.
Yes, if you are using a weld-on coupler, all welding must be performed by an AWS certified welder. For bolt-on installation, a certified welder is not required, but the number and size of fasteners must be specified by the trailer manufacturer.
Use these SAE proof load torque specifications for grade 5 bolts: 3/8" = 23 ft. lbs., 1/2" = 55 ft. lbs., 5/8" = 110 ft. lbs. Check and retighten hardware before each towing and annually thereafter.
Do not exceed the lesser of the mounting bracket, coupler, hitch, vehicle, ball, or trailer weight ratings (including load). Refer to stamped markings or decals on the product for rated capacity. Weigh your trailer plus load before towing.
No. Do not tow without the retaining pin in place. After the hitch ball is seated in the coupler and the coupler cap is closed, reinsert the pin behind the collar (L/M-Style) or in the latch (H-Style).
Perform maintenance at least annually: check welds and mounting bolt torque, 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.
| Part Number | Model Number | Capacity (lbs.) | Overall Length (in.) | Latch | Ball Size (in.) | SAE Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 028381 | 2B2H | 5,000 | 10.75 | High Profile | 2 | III |
| 028242 | 2B2M | 5,000 | 10.75 | Pin Style | 2 | III |
| 028461 | 4B2H | 12,500 | 12.75 | High Profile | 2-5/16 | - |
| 028442 | 4B2M | 12,500 | 12.75 | Pin Style | 2-5/16 | - |
| Replacement Parts | ||||||
| 024200 | High Profile Coupler Repair Kit | |||||
| 500354 | Coupler Cap Spring | |||||
Jennifer
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May 22, 2023
