Off-Roading With A Trailer: Off-Road Trailer Hitch Overview

In a previous off-roading with a trailer article, we show that a trailer can enhance the experience and add more “stuff” space for your adventure. This is ideal for overnight or longer trail rides. But before we get to more off-road trailer stuff, we wanted to show several types of connections that can be used as a viable off-road trailer hitch.

For full disclosure, before I began researching this article, I thought there were only two choices for an off-road hitch; the traditional ball-and-coupler duo, and the heavy-duty pintle hook and lunar ring combination. Come to find out, there are a few more, so we will share some that stood out to us.

On the trail, a lunar ring-and-pintle hitch is an ideal connection between a four-wheeler and its trailer, providing a secure hook-up regardless of the trail’s condition.

Obviously, you can tow off-road with almost any kind of hitch, but is it a good idea? For most people, no, it is definitely not recommended. Not unless you put rocks in your boots on purpose, and brush your teeth with barbed wire. If you are trained and highly experienced, then, by all means, have at it.

Off-Road Trailer Hitch Types

The traditional options like the fifth wheel, gooseneck, and pull-type (ball) all have their purpose and place. Then there are specially made articulating off-road hitches. For the purpose of towing recreationally off-road, let’s eliminate the first two.

A fifth-wheel hitch on an undulating off-road trail could cause the trailer to damage the pickup’s bed rails or worse. A relatively flat dirt road would likely exceed its maximum functionality. Gooseneck hitches are used extensively by farms and ranches and can handle fairly rough roads and backcountry trails leading to cattle loading gates, and the like. But a gooseneck requires a pickup with either a compatible bed or a flatbed, so that does not fit most off-road enthusiasts unless you are this guy.

A drop-ball hitch assists in keeping the trailer as level as possible or the hitch can be reversed if the tongue needs to be higher than the hitch.

The ball hitch works great for most practical purposes. Yours truly has towed trailers off-road for almost fifty years. For most of that, we used a simple tow ball hitch. An adjustable multi-function product like this modern Tow & Stow Adjustable Ball Mount from B&W Trailer Hitches will be a leg up and offer a ton of flexibility.

Admittedly, a tow ball and coupler can have limitations and restrict rotational and vertical angle movement. It is best not to exceed them on an off-road trail. For this reason, the articulating off-road hitch was developed.

Enter The Articulating Off-Road Trailer Hitch

The specially made off-road articulating trailer hitches are designed to handle the unique demands of off-road travel, which often involves rough terrain, steep inclines and declines, and uneven surfaces. There are several types designed for specific functions, but they can be adapted for use in various off-road towing applications.

However, having zero first-hand experience with any of these coupling devices, we went looking on YouTube to sort out some viable options. We found this video from ROA Off-Road most helpful in describing and demonstrating some of the top articulating off-road trailer hitch candidates.

ROA Off-Road is short for RVs Of America and specializes in sourcing the highest quality off-road trailers from around the globe. They have helped hundreds of customers find the ideal trailer platform for their needs and pretty much know all there is to know when it comes to off-road trailers and of course off-road trailer hitches.

Cruisemaster DO35 Coupling

One popular articulating off-road trailer hitch is the Cruisemaster DO35 coupling. This is a drop-on design that allows for an easy hitch while on any terrain. It articulates in all directions to ensure the trailer is following, even during challenging and uneven obstacles. We like this one because it has a built-in hand brake.

Additionally, this system is ideal for off-road use because of its positive locking mechanism and the patented “Checklock” Cap. This doubles as both dust protection and a safety check. The cap will only fit onto the coupling when the lock is activated… if the cap does not fit, you are not ready to tow.

The DO35 has high-quality poly bushes and is fully greaseable to reduce wear in the toughest of terrains.

Hitch EZY

Another interesting coupler is the Hitch EZY. Designed and manufactured in Australia, the Hitch EZY allows for hands-free coupling and uncoupling. It also has unlimited articulation and transmits the vertical loads at the ball mount.

Its unique design presents multiple ways to couple the trailer to the vehicle such as the back-into/roll-on method or by the traditional back-under/drop-down technique. The coupling has excellent self-alignment on the tow pillar’s head and has stainless steel yoke pivot bolts for extra-rugged durability.

This unit can also incorporate a handbrake.

Max Coupler Off Road Coupler

In the off-road world, sometimes simpler is better. The Max Coupler is about as simple as they come. This is a tri-axis design that allows the trailer to follow the lead vehicle via the pivot and bushings. Sometimes referred to as the “silent hitch”, it isolates any shock load with several Energy Suspension polyurethane bushings.

The tight tolerances do not allow any build-up of inertia for the trailer to crash or yank the back of the tow vehicle. It makes it feel as though it is one unit instead of a vehicle with a trailer. The “Classic” Max Coupler model (Part # MC100) requires a 2-inch hitch receiver tube on the trailer to receive the coupler that slides in.

Lock-N-Roll Hitch

The articulating Lock ‘N’ Roll trailer hitch utilizes 3 axis’ of movement including 360 degrees of rotation. The rotation, along with the left-to-right and up-and-down articulation allows flexible maneuverability, especially when backing a trailer around a corner and into a tight spot.

The most distinct feature is the unique locking mechanism that can allow for a hands-free coupling. It offers a very tight, close-fitting connection designed to eliminate the yanking and slamming action of conventional hitches. They claim the Lock ‘N’ Roll Trailer Hitches are smoother to operate and safer than any other type of hitch.

McHitch Auto Coupler

Perhaps the most unique for the group in this feature is the McHitch Auto Coupler. This system presents a universal joint, also designed in Australia, that provides up to 360-degree rotation for extreme off-road use.

Debuting at the 2013 SEMA Show, the award-winning McHitch was praised for the precise nature of its positive locking mechanism and smooth ride, with less shunting and rattling that is often experienced with other trailer couplings. The McHitch couplings were rated from 3,500kg to 6,000kg to suit a range of applications.

The family-owned company ceased operation in 2022 so they might be a little hard to find.

Tips And Things To Consider When Selecting An Off-Road Trailer Hitch

Whatever off-road trailer hitch you decide to use, we strongly recommend going with name-brand equipment sourced through reputable dealers.

Of course, there is not one single setup that is perfect for everyone, every vehicle, and every tow application. First and foremost, determine what your goals and objectives are. Do you plan to tow to the trailhead, set up camp, and disconnect? Are you towing down a significantly rough dirt road to your destination? Or are you actually going to tow your trailer off-road on a trail over and through difficult and uneven obstacles?

It’s important to consider the weight of the trailer, the terrain you will be navigating, and the type of vehicle with which you will be towing in order to make the best choice for your needs.

On the beach at Lake Mohave. Notice that almost a ruler-straight line can be drawn beneath the bottoms of both vehicles which is ideal for safe towing.

Ultimately, the choice of off-road trailer hitch will depend on your specific needs and the type of off-road travel you will be doing. You may even choose to modify the trailer tongue so that it’ll accept more than one type of coupler. Tow with a ball on the highway and a more articulating coupler while off-road.

Also, consider your tow vehicle and trailer setup. Does your rig have a tailgate or door that swings open? Will the hitch mechanism restrict the rear vehicle opening?

Safety First

The next thing you need to sort out is ease of use. You should set up your tow vehicle and trailer to fit your needs and applications. Make sure you can easily, and safely, hitch and unhitch your trailer. You should get training on this or train yourself so that you can competently do this in the dark of night. Not just on a nice flat concrete driveway at home, but also when you are on uneven ground where the trailer cannot be easily moved by hand.

Last but not least, outfit your trailer with everything you need to securely park it. Make sure the hitch (or next to the hitch) includes a facility for a handbrake. You would not want to watch your camper roll away when you unhitch! Tire chalks should also be within reach and ready to deploy as a secondary precaution.

Keep It Locked Up

After deciding which hitch to use, keep it with a BOLT receiver lock. Order the lock for your specific model vehicle, and then use your ignition key to set its tumblers. No need for additional keys.

Towing Off-Road Trailers

More than likely, if you decide to tow a trailer off-road recreationally, it will be relatively small to keep your overall trekking footprint small enough to be comfortable and pleasurable while wheeling. An off-road trailer can be any towable wheeled device from a resurrected pickup bed with a modified frame to a $30,000 teardrop. Of course, there are tent trailers, A-frame trailers, enclosed cargo trailers, and motorcycle trailers as well.

While hooking up don’t forget to cross the safety chains, whatever type of pull hitch you use. This cradles the trailer tongue if it happens to come loose from the towing vehicle. If the chains are parallel, they will allow the trailer to land on the ground and dig in.

A ball/coupler hitch is quiet and secure on the highway but can be disconnected and/or damaged on rough trails. Note the crossed chains, which keep the trailer directly behind the tow vehicle should the coupler become disconnected.

That is it for part #2 of our Off Road Xtreme off-roading with a trailer series. Do you tow your trailer off-road? We want to know and check out your setup. So, please share this piece on your social network and tag us.