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Bulldog
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BULLDOG gooseneck couplers are quick and easy to engage and strong and secure on the road. Our unique, patented, extruded locking plate design and high-strength steel components make BULLDOG gooseneck couplers 65% stronger than similar products.
| BRAND: | BULLDOG |
| PART NUMBER: | 0287620300 |
| WARRANTY: | LIMITED 5 YEAR WARRANTY |
| WEIGHT: | 48 LBS |
| CAPACITY: | 20,000 LBS. |
| BALL DIAMETER: | 2.313 IN. |
| 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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The Bulldog Gooseneck Coupler is available in four capacities: 20K Round, 25K Round, 25K Square, and 30K Round. You must verify that your trailer's tongue is designed to accept a gooseneck coupler and that the coupler will reach your towing vehicle's hitch ball. Before installation, confirm there will be no interference from the tow vehicle, tongue, ground, or accessories in both extended and retracted positions. Consult your trailer manufacturer or the coupler capacity label to confirm fitment.
You must use only a 2 5/16" hitch ball rated equal to or greater than the capacity of your coupler. If uncertain about the rating, 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. The outer tube must be rigidly attached to the trailer with gusseting to support the coupler's rated load. Avoid heat damage to the coupler during welding and do not weld over or near any holes or hardware on the coupler.
All hardware must be torqued to 125 ft. lbs. minimum. You must periodically check for proper torque and tighten if necessary. Check for wear on the inner tube if retightening is needed.
Yes. You must block the trailer wheels before latching or unlatching the coupler. This is a required safety step.
No. Do not tow unless the load bearing pin is fully inserted through both the inner and outer tubes and the retaining pin is installed. The coupler cannot support its rated load without the load bearing pin properly installed.
Do not exceed 8" maximum extension. Measure the coupler extension as the difference between the fully retracted and fully extended positions. Couplers with properly installed load bearing pins and square adjustable gooseneck couplers only extend within this 8" range.
The Bulldog Gooseneck Coupler is a trailer coupling device manufactured by Cequent Performance Products. It is designed to connect a gooseneck trailer to a towing vehicle via a 2 5/16" hitch ball. The coupler is available in four capacity ratings: 20K Round, 25K Round, 25K Square, and 30K Round. The product is rated according to SAE J2638 standard.
The Bulldog Gooseneck Coupler is available in four capacity ratings: 20K Round, 25K Round, 25K Square, and 30K Round. The capacity rating is marked on the coupler's capacity label. You must not exceed the lesser of the coupler, hitch, vehicle, ball, or trailer weight ratings (including load).
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 the extended and retracted positions before installation. After installation is complete, check for interference again. Do not use the coupler if its operation has been impaired by interference.
The set bolts must be facing the towing vehicle. This orientation is required for proper installation and operation.
The outer tube must be supported completely by attaching gussets as low as possible to the outer tube. For adjustable couplers, reinforcements must extend down the outer tube to within 3" above the bottom of the outer tube. For non-adjustable couplers, reinforcement must be within 20 inches above the locking plates. To reduce stress concentrations in high load, high mileage, or rough service applications, gussets and banding that tie trailer framing to the coupler are required. Weld size, gusseting requirements, coupler height, and orientation are dependent on trailer design and customer requirements. This modification is the responsibility of the trailer manufacturer.
No. Avoid heat damage to the coupler during welding. Do not weld over or near any holes or hardware on the coupler. All welding must be performed by an AWS certified welder. The coupler must be held rigid and vertical, and must not be damaged by heat during installation.
1. Block the trailer wheels. 2. Align the hitch ball beneath the coupler. 3. Set the locking pin in the open position. 4. Slide the locking plate into the open position and lower the trailer onto the hitch ball. 5. Visually check that the hitch ball is fully seated in the coupler. 6. Slide the locking plate into the closed position. 7. Set the locking pin in the closed position to close the coupler.
1. Block the trailer wheels. 2. Set the locking pin in the open position. 3. Slide the locking plate into the open position and raise the trailer from the hitch ball.
Before towing, perform the following checks: 1. Check the vehicle, hitch ball, and coupler for signs of wear or damage. 2. Ensure that the coupler opens, closes, and the handle springs closed when released. 3. Replace bent, broken, or worn parts before using the product. 4. Ensure that the hitch ball is fully seated in the coupler ball pocket and the latch is closed. 5. Make sure that the trailer safety chains are properly connected to the towing vehicle and trailer. 6. Make sure that all trailer lighting is hooked up and working properly.
The operator and bystanders should never position any body part under any portion of the coupler or the load being supported. Do not allow children to play on or around the coupler or the load being supported.
You must weigh your trailer plus added load. Do not exceed the lesser of the coupler, hitch, vehicle, ball, or trailer weight ratings (including load). The coupler's capacity rating is marked on the capacity label.
After installation is complete, perform the following checks: 1. Check for interference again in both extended and retracted positions. 2. Verify that the coupler remains vertical. 3. Verify that coupler operation has not been impaired in any way. Do not use the coupler if its operation has been impaired. 4. After assembly and painting, affix any enclosed labels to the coupler and remove premask.
The following procedures should be performed at least annually: 1. Check hardware torque (must be 125 ft. lbs. minimum). 2. Grease the ball pocket. 3. Oil pivot points with SAE 30 wt. motor oil. 4. Inspect the retaining pin and replace if necessary. Keep the ball pocket, latch, and handle clean.
You must periodically check for proper torque and tighten if necessary. The manual specifies that maintenance procedures, including checking hardware torque, should be performed at least annually. All hardware must be torqued to 125 ft. lbs. minimum. Check for wear on the inner tube if retightening is needed.
Oil the pivot points with SAE 30 wt. motor oil. This should be done at least annually as part of regular maintenance.
No. The purchaser/owner must not alter or modify the product. The coupler must be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions and must remain vertical after installation to ensure proper operation.
Cequent Performance Products warrants to the original consumer purchaser that the product will be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of three years under normal use and service, ordinary wear and tear excepted. If the product does not comply with this warranty, Cequent will replace the product without charge and within a reasonable time, or at Cequent's option, refund the purchase price. This warranty is not transferable. The warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, damage from abuse, neglect, misuse, accident, misapplication, overloading, improper installation, improper maintenance, or products altered by anyone other than Cequent.
Contact Cequent Performance Products at: Address: 47912 Halyard Dr. Suite 100, Plymouth, MI 48170, USA. Phone: 1-800-632-3290. Website: www.cequentgroup.com. When contacting for replacement parts, please specify the product model number. For warranty claims, identify the product and follow the instructions provided. You will be responsible for shipping costs to Cequent. Retain your purchase receipt to verify the date of purchase, which must be produced to honor a warranty claim.
The manual does not specify whether the battery must be disconnected. This is a gooseneck coupler installation that involves welding and mechanical attachment to the trailer tongue. Consult your trailer manufacturer or a professional installer for guidance on pre-installation preparation specific to your trailer.
The manual does not specify whether additional people or lifting equipment are required for installation. The installation involves welding the coupler to the trailer tongue and requires an AWS certified welder. Consult your trailer manufacturer or a professional installer for guidance on the specific equipment and labor needed for your installation.
This indicates a potential problem with the coupler. Before towing, you must ensure that the coupler opens, closes, and the handle springs closed when released. If the handle does not spring closed, replace the coupler or the affected parts before using the product. Do not tow with a coupler that does not operate properly.
If you observe signs of wear or damage on the vehicle, hitch ball, or coupler, replace the bent, broken, or worn parts before using the product. Do not tow with a damaged coupler. If the coupler cannot be repaired, contact Cequent Performance Products at 1-800-632-3290 for replacement parts or warranty service.
Visually check that the hitch ball is fully seated in the coupler ball pocket before closing the locking plate. If the ball is not fully seated, raise the trailer, realign the hitch ball beneath the coupler, and lower the trailer again. Ensure that the hitch ball is fully seated in the coupler ball pocket and the latch is closed before towing.
After installation, check to make sure that coupler operation has not been impaired in any way. Do not use the coupler if its operation has been impaired. Possible causes include interference from the tow vehicle, tongue, ground, or accessories. Check for interference in both extended and retracted positions. If operation is impaired, contact Cequent Performance Products at 1-800-632-3290 for assistance.
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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
