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Post by cobber on Dec 3, 2008 8:50:14 GMT 10
 This tow coupling has been discovered on a “home made” caravan in S.A. It is shown as being made by “Rice Trailers” who were one of the first collapsible / folding camper trailer manufacturers in the UK between 1928 and 1938. They still exist building mostly horse trailers.. so this coupling may well be off one of those type of trailers. I still like it... notice how the hand brake ratchet doubles as an handle to lift the trailer.... and it's even got a hole to put ya index finger in  And this "Rice" coupling is fitted to NeilnCheryl's "Dee-Jay" caravan....... they say.. "By turning the chrome handle it tightens a clamp underneath the ball. Seems to work OK"  Cobber. |
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Post by cobber on Dec 16, 2008 16:37:17 GMT 10
The coupling excitement continues   This coupling looks like a “Gem” or “Imp” coupling as shown in reply 41 of this thread, but this is the first example we have of it fitted to an over-ride brake. It was posted by Belinda in 2006 and is on a Clayton's Propert on display at the National Museum in Canberra. The 1948 patent application for this coupling can be seen HERE so it would be fair I think to call it a 'Flint coupling'.  The Propert thread is at vintagecaravans.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=photo&action=display&thread=1136&page=1Cobber. |
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Post by cobber on Dec 17, 2008 16:50:14 GMT 10
A “wesco” coupling and override brake, gross loading 40 cwt.  I won't bet money on it but there is a “Westcotrailers” who started in 1954 building trailers.... possible the same firm. www.wescotrailers.net/about.htmlI later discovered this coupling was made by Westcott-Hazell Industries. Cobber. |
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Post by winterwood on Dec 18, 2008 15:54:01 GMT 10
Really love this subject matter. These 2 photos are of the coupling from my '56 trailer. It's not the original coupling as it came from an old friend (age 90) who hand built his caravan quite a few years ago. I'll now contact him and see if I can get more info/details of his home made van (and hopefully some photos). Max   |
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Post by cobber on Dec 23, 2008 6:27:23 GMT 10
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Post by cobber on Dec 23, 2008 7:42:52 GMT 10
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Post by winterwood on Mar 4, 2009 23:06:28 GMT 10
Thought you might like to see this coupling from my '64 Globetrotter. I understand the Tregg hitch is an original fitting, but I'm not 100% certain. Max   |
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Post by cobber on Mar 25, 2009 17:02:40 GMT 10
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Post by chippydave01 on Apr 19, 2009 9:47:29 GMT 10
Hi guys,So after 2 years of this thread I would like to know how many people have newly registered a vintage caravan and left the original coupling on. I ve heard conflicting rules on this as they state it must be in accordance to as 4177.3-1994.But on the other hand do you tell them its vintage and its before the rules were invented or does historic rego allow you to use the orginal.Im not really after everyones interpretation on how they drive accordingly with an old hitch just the governments hard and fast rule if there is one.
Cheers Dave,
Hope you have as many happy hookups as me .
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Post by cobber on Apr 19, 2009 10:35:21 GMT 10
G'day Dave,
My understanding (and my experience) is that if you
are restoring the 'van to it's original state and the
coupling on it is in good original working condition
it is acceptable, even if it has none of the markings
otherwise required..... brand name... weight capacity etc.
Of course if you modify the 'van... your not interested
in originality and the RTA is not interested in helping you
keep it original, so you're in a different ball game and if the
tow coupling doesn't conform to the new rules it will have
to be updated.
This is the way it happens in NSW and I think other
states are the same.
Cobber.
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jun 30, 2009 20:29:31 GMT 10
Jennison wrote on 26 June 2009:i have also picked up a tow connection from the same pathfinder that John (the seller) had. Cobber might find this one interesting. Pic provided by Jennison: 
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Post by Jennison on Jun 30, 2009 21:01:13 GMT 10
I am wondering if there was a 2 piece top plate that locked the ball in the ring with those slotted recesses which was held on/in place by the 2 locknuts??
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Post by cobber on Jul 2, 2009 10:49:30 GMT 10
G'day Jennison, That is a loverly coupling aye ?.... very unusual. I imagine the socket bit ...that would be on the caravan.... must be held down on the ball by those two knurled nuts..... the socket must have had two lugs either side of it that engaged with the nuts....... just a stab in the dark  You don't have a photo of the socket do you mate..... well of course you don't but we are just going to have to find one aye ? Cobber. P.S. Just had a look around this thread.... "Old Tow Couplings" and reckon this coupling on Vikings 'van could be the goods...... what do you think  Cobber |
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Post by Jennison on Jul 2, 2009 15:19:21 GMT 10
It looks pretty close , eh.
I notice some reference to queensland in that thread with the dealership location. The tow hitch in my photo is coming from QLD as well. Perhaps it was a queenslander generic/commonly used tow connection in those days?
I mean all the states had different commonly used/preferred trailer plug connections, so its probably the same with tow hitches - a bit like railroad track widths.
jennison
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Post by cobber on Jul 2, 2009 16:30:51 GMT 10
And again..... young earlee's got a similar coupling here at reply #55...... and he's a Queenslander too ...................... exciting stuff aye ? Cobber. |
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Post by Jennison on Jul 2, 2009 18:03:57 GMT 10
Vantoura has solved the mystery! It is the coupling off a jones dolly wheel.
Many thanks vantoura. See you at Katoomba.
jennison
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Post by cobber on Jul 2, 2009 18:56:15 GMT 10
G'day Jennison, Please explain Does that mean that this coupling was only used on the Jones Dolly Wheel or...... also used on the Jones Dolly Wheel or...... are we talking about two different couplings. Cobber. |
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Post by bobshannon on Jul 2, 2009 19:23:46 GMT 10
I put this in the original thread before seeing that it had been added here.
Yes, it is from a Jones' Dolly Wheel assembly.
The combination captive towball/plate stays attached on the towing tongue of the vehicle and the pivotting bolt sections clamp the plate to the base of the coupling when on the caravan. The slot in the base of the towball is for a tool to stop the towball turning as the nut is tightened onto the towing tongue. Should be a 2 1/4" (approx 58mm) towball and is the elusive correct part from a Jones' Dolly Wheel. There was apparently another tool to do up the two clamping "knobs", which like the towball were originally chromed. The chrome is coming off my one also.
Many Jennisons were fitted with the Jones' Dolly Wheel, patented 1957.
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Post by cobber on Jul 2, 2009 21:34:18 GMT 10
G'day Bob,
How you going ? sorry I missed you at Motorfest this year.... I missed a couple of people I was wanting to see.
Are the couplings I mentioned above, that are fitted to caravans, different, or just a variation, to the Jones Dolly Wheel one ?
Cobber.
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Post by cobber on Jul 22, 2009 16:39:16 GMT 10
This coupling is on a “Cruisemaster” caravan posted here by JBJ.  To me it appears to be similar (sort of) to the one Jennison recently posted..... said to be used on the "Jones dolly wheels" also And not far removed from the one on “Vikings” 'van.... well ::)the plate holding the ball captive is similar.  . I wonder who made them ? Cobber. |
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Post by dosse on Jul 22, 2009 17:55:57 GMT 10
G'day Cobber.
This last photo is the same coupling as our Mabel van also same as David & Lyn van and earlee's lanton van. I am told that it is a Brisbane made coupling and has the nic name clover hitch. This coupling was also duplicated by some entrepreneur's working at Queensland-
Rail workshops in Ipswich in the old days. dosse
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Post by Don Ricardo on Sept 14, 2009 21:44:12 GMT 10
After market Franklin Caravans tow coupling and a steel draw bar fitted to a 1937 home built caravan after the original wooden draw bar gave up the ghost:  For the full story on this van click here |
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Post by frankidownunder on Sept 25, 2009 22:05:35 GMT 10
This is another type of hydraulic override coupling that was used in the late sixties, it is a SJ BROWN of COBURG 30 CWT model and is still fitted to my Franklin Caravelle.  Frankidownunder. |
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Post by cobber on Nov 27, 2009 10:58:49 GMT 10
Thank you for the S J Brown coupling Frankie, here is an add. for the same one, interesting to read that it has a dampening feature built into it  And here is another hydraulic override coupling that incorporates a hand brake and ratchet, make not known...... yet.  Cobber. |
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Post by cobber on Jan 27, 2010 15:35:50 GMT 10
The tow coupling as fitted to a 1947 Sportsman teardrop... not originally we think. Notice the screw and nut to take up the slack is non-existent.  And the coupling fitted to Dave & Tammy's home made You will no doubt notice the differences between these and similar ones on this thread  Cobber. |
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