Since the Cat has a 2" reciever, I assume that connecting non-ball type of trailers (not sure what you call them) to a Cat might be a bit difficult without a proper adapter? Is this true? Do I need an adapter of some sort? I'm lost on this topic and would appreciate any info. Thanks in advance.

 

Are you talking about the old Military style hitch that has a ring on the trailer end and Jaw type on your vehicle? I believe they are called Pinall (Spelling?) If so, we still use that type to pull our light plants around at work with a pick-up. We use an adapter for the 2" reciever. Napa sells the adapters.

 

During my 35+ years of towing things with tractors, peddle bikes, snowmobiles, ATVs, cars / trucks, etc. etc. I've learned one thing. Don't pull anything that doesn't have a solid tongue & hitch!!! I've seen more then my share of items and people getting hurt when a solid hitch / tongue isn't used. Ropes and chains are good to get someone out of a snowbank (say 20 ft in at slow motion) but that's it. Thanks for allowing me to vent.... If wondering, I seen my neighbor using his ATV & sled connected via rope. Dam lucky those kids in the sled didn't get hurt.


For your ATV & Sled pulling desire, I'd recommend 2 types of connections. Use a 2" or 1-7/8" ball or use a Clevis type connection. Since an ATV and Sled (just like a snowmobile & sled) twist and turn with different ground levels, the hitch connection must twist and turn as well. The more I think about it, the more I like the 1-7/8" ball connection. With your local welders assistance (or a Senior Welder / Fabrication student in your local tech school), they can make you either connection.


For a visual, surf: http://community.webshots.com/photo/...08001381SJFMeX


Hope this helps...

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This is what I'm talking about: click me

Spike99, I think it's what you've shown in the bottom picture.

 

Now I understand what you are talking about. I think if you took the ball off your slide in reciever, you could drop the pin in the same hole and pull all those types of trailers.

 

Yes. If you take the ball off and use a vertical bolt (aka: Draw bar pin) going through the upper plate, through the removed trailer ball hole and lower plate. This draw bolt also has horizontal cotter key in the end of it. If pulling a sled on flat surface, this solid connection works great. If you are pulling your sled (or trailer) across large amounts of uneven ground, ensure your trailer has a Swivel type of connection. That way, it won't bend the vertical bolt, put too much stress on your receiver or in worste case, your ATV won't flip over when its trailer flips over. With a small sled made for light weight riders on even ground, a non-Swivel hook-up is optional. If you pull people in your sled or drive at fast speed, I'd also recommend "crossed over" safety chains. If your hitch accidentally comes undone, the sled/trailer you're pulling won't turn into a out of control weapon.

Many years ago, I didn't beleive in safety chains. Like many, I didn't understand the need for them. One day, I was pulling a large load of hay up a hill at slow speed ,and its vertical bolt's cotter pin wiggled out. In addition to this, the veritical bolt came out as well. Had a better chance of winning the lotto with these odds. Anyway.... Imagine a large load of hay rolling backwards down the hill heading directly for our shop. The shop that contained my older brother who was welding away. Today, I used safety chains on everything I tow. Even whipping across the road with my little trailer.

Hope this helps...

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