Part Number 14793-81 --- Demco eZ Latch A-Frame Coupler
eTrailer link ($152)
https://www.etrailer.com/A-Frame-Trailer-Coupler/Demco/DM14793-81.htmlPurchased from ($104)
https://www.crofttrailer.com/14793-81-demco-ez-latch-a-frame-coupler-10-000-lb-capacity-2-black/Factory coupler is a yoke type and can be difficult to unlatch. Demco eZ coupler is well, EZ to latch and unlatch.
Factory coupler has 4 vertical bolts going through each frame rail. Demco was designed to bold from the side through frame rails.
Demco would require drilling 6 holes in my Tab 320 frame rails, 3 on each side and would put the trailer jack too close to my boondock rack.
Nucamp designed the coupler to be installed with vertical bolts so that is what I did. That required drilling 4 holes in the top of the Demco coupler.
Comments
TV: 2023 Ford Bronco 2.7L Wildtrak 4x4, Tow Package, Ford Brake Controller
Georgia
TV: 2023 Ford Bronco 2.7L Wildtrak 4x4, Tow Package, Ford Brake Controller
Georgia
TV: 2023 Ford Bronco 2.7L Wildtrak 4x4, Tow Package, Ford Brake Controller
Georgia
T/V Ford Ranger 2023 4x4
That one has a 2" drop on the ball requiring me to buy a new TV 4" drop hitch. With the one I bought, I keep my TV hitch ball as-is.
TV: 2023 Ford Bronco 2.7L Wildtrak 4x4, Tow Package, Ford Brake Controller
Georgia
Very good point! Thanks!
T/V Ford Ranger 2023 4x4
The gap doesn't bother me. The side fold provided no support. The 4 vertical bolts have all the load, nothing has changed.
Remember, the Tab 320 is only a 2000 lb trailer. The coupler is good for 10,000 lbs.
Center of jack to ball is now longer, a good thing.
TV: 2023 Ford Bronco 2.7L Wildtrak 4x4, Tow Package, Ford Brake Controller
Georgia
I wasn't afraid to drill 6 new holes in my trailer frame. I wanted to keep the factory boxed frame integrity of the top and bottom mount plate with the 4 vertical bolts.
I was also concerned that I couldn't get the 6 side bolts tight enough without crushing the Tabs frame.
Summery: The gap is cosmetic and not noticed till you look for it.
TV: 2023 Ford Bronco 2.7L Wildtrak 4x4, Tow Package, Ford Brake Controller
Georgia
2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
TV: 2023 Ford Bronco 2.7L Wildtrak 4x4, Tow Package, Ford Brake Controller
Georgia
2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
Factory coupler has no side bolts, just a folded flange that does not attach to the frame. The flange is quite small also. Its purpose of the folded flange is to provide strength to the upper plate.
TV: 2023 Ford Bronco 2.7L Wildtrak 4x4, Tow Package, Ford Brake Controller
Georgia
2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
I do not recommend side bolts with this style frame.
Vertical mounting bolts are way better in this application. Your application may vary.
TV: 2023 Ford Bronco 2.7L Wildtrak 4x4, Tow Package, Ford Brake Controller
Georgia
2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
I followed in your footsteps and today I finished installing a Demco coupler with an Ultimate Trailer Jack. I decided to go with this model coupler and bought from the same source you did: https://www.crofttrailer.com/16854-81-demco-a-frame-2-coupler-with-chain-anchors-10-000-lbs-capacity/
I initially thought I'd mount the coupler with the sides closer to the A-frame, but I couldn't do that and reuse the bottom plate that forms a bolted box, so I mounted it forward where the jack hole on the coupler lines up with the one on the bottom plate. The hole on the bottom plate was 1/16" too small to clear the Ultimate Jack, so my first job was to scribe the target size and enlarge the hole with an abrasive grinder.
I used the bottom plate as a template to mark the hole locations for the four mounting bolts on top of the Demco coupler. I managed to drill the holes using a cobalt stepped drill bit, going slowly and using tapping oil. I painted the raw metal edges of the holes to help prevent rust.
NuCamp welded a panel into the front of the A-frame to create a box structure from the C-shaped steel members.
These images show the installed coupler. The Ultimate Jack normally mounts with its pin shaft pointing back at the trailer. The aluminum platform interfered with that, so I rotated the jack 120 degrees. I had to drill and grind out one of the mounting slots in order to center the jack's mounting plate in this orientation. The Master coupler lock fits the Demco much better than the OEM coupler. My latch lock was fortunately long enough to get through the wider Demco coupler.
The sides of the coupler leave about a half-inch gap, but they didn't fit tight to the A-frame on the original coupler. I do think it's wise to use the bottom plate with the original bolt configuration. And this upgrade is reversible should we even need to do that.
I could never find a specification for the offset difference between the OEM coupler and this cast Demco model. @sportcoupe mentioned two inches, but I think it's more like one inch. Here are profile views of the OEM coupler vs. the new Demco coupler.
I'll check, but I don't think I'll need more drop on for my hitch's ball mount. It was too cold and late in the day today for me to test the upgrade, so the easier operation I'm hoping for is still hypothetical. I'll report after I've had some time with it. I think I'll like the Ultimate Trailer Jack, but I don't think I can reuse the 7-way connector holder I had mounted to the BAL jack. I doubt that the convenience of the eZ-latch and Ultimate Jack over the years will add up to the time I spent doing this install, but I'm okay with irony. ;-)
2023 T@B 320 S Boondock