Schuck Cushion Trailer Hitches
Frequently Asked Questions
What
is included with my hitch?
What information do I need to ensure that I am buying
the appropriate hitch?
How do I know I'm choosing the correct towing equipment?
Why
should I purchase a cushion hitch vs. a spring loaded hitch?
What
are the advantages of using a cushion hitch?
What are the advantages of using a swivel cushion hitch?
What kind of warranty do Schuck Cushion Hitches have?
Which accessories do I need with my hitch?
How do I prevent trailer sway?
What suggestions do you have for safe towing?
Do you have any suggestions for improving gas mileage
when towing?
How long do my cushions and bearings last?
How will I know it is time to replace my cushion and
bearings?
What
is included with my hitch?
All Bolt-on
hitches include mounting bolts and stiffening braces. Hitches designed
for receiver tubes include a pin and keeper.
What
information do I need to ensure that I am buying the appropriate
hitch?
Before selecting
a hitch, it is important to know the following information:
- Gross trailer weight
- Tongue weight
- Vehicle's maximum towing capacity
How
do I know I'm choosing the correct towing equipment?
The most important
factors in choosing the correct towing equipment is the gross trailer
weight (GTW), the tongue weight (TW) and your vehicle's maximum
towing capacity.
GROSS
TRAILER WEIGHT (GTW) - the weight of the trailer completely loaded.
To determine GTW, weigh the loaded trailer on a vehicle scale.
TONGUE WEIGHT (TW) - the downward force exerted
on theVEHICLE'S
MAXIMUM TOWING CAPACITY - this is determined by the manufacturer
and can be found in the owner’s manual.
Why
should I purchase a cushion hitch vs. a spring loaded hitch?
Spring loaded
hitches, unlike cushion hitches, are built to a pre-determined load.
When that load is insufficient or exceeded, the spring does not
function properly. They either do not work at all, or they bottom
out. In the initial stages of compression, Schuck Cushion Hitches
will cushion the lightest of loads, yet in the final stages of compression
will feather our loads in excess of 600 bushels, or 40,000 lbs.
What
are the advantages of using a cushion hitch?
1. Reduces wear
on vehicle's entire drive train
2. Increases vehicle's overall performance through reduction of
load shock
3. Reduces driver fatigue
Schuck Cushion
Hitches are engineered to absorb minor or major tongue thrust shocks
from towing loads off road or on the highway. The innovative design
of each hitch contains injection-molded urethane cushions to absorb
end thrust shock and high density polyethane bearings to increase
tongue loads. There is no metal-to-metal contact, which translates
into a smoother and quieter ride. This unique design is built for
years of service, and is virtually maintenance-free.
More...
What
are the advantages of using a swivel cushion hitch?
You can save
time and effort by eliminating the frustrating job of backing into
an exact position for hookup. Our telescoping swivel cushion tongue
extends out a full seven inches beyond the "tow" position
and swivels 60 degrees laterally (or 12" left to right) for
fast, easy hook-ups to your towing trailer. When the towing member is hooked-up to the swivel hitch, simply
back up the tow vehicle to engage the self-adjusting cam latch.
That's all there is to it. The positive cam latch system is rattle-free,
and provides secure automatic latching. Please note dimensions before
ordering. More...
What
kind of warranty do Schuck Cushion Hitches have?
Schuck Cushion
Hitches have a 1 year warranty from date of purchase on parts and
workmanship. The warranty does not cover shipping charges.
Which accessories do I need with my hitch?
Once the correct
trailer hitch is selected, towing accessories complete the towing
package. Schuck Metal Fabrication & Design offers a complete
line of accessories. More...
How
do I prevent trailer sway?
One of the
main causes of trailer sway is not having a large enough percentage
of trailer tongue weight compared to gross trailer weight. Usually
tongue weight is 10 to 15 percent of the trailer's gross weight.
To help prevent the trailer from swaying back and forth, a few things
can be done. Try placing heavier cargo in the front of the trailer,
ahead of the trailer's axle. Also center the cargo left-to-right
and use tie-downs to keep the load from sliding.
Trailer Sway
can lead to a loss of vehicle control. When starting out with a
new load on a trailer, make sure it will not sway by gradually increasing
your speed in intervals until highway speed is reached. If the trailer
does begin to sway, try adjusting the cargo and equipment accordingly
and then repeat the test. If repositioning the load and equipment
did not help reduce the sway, a sway control may be needed.
What
suggestions do you have for safe towing?
The addition
of a trailer adds weight and length to the tow vehicle. More weight
means more time to speed up and more importantly, slow down. Overall
handling is also affected. When towing, allow for extra time when
switching lanes, stopping and passing other vehicles. To assist
in slowing down, many people use an electric trailer brake controller.
The extra length can cause problems on turns. Because the trailer
does not follow the exact path as the vehicle on turns, remember
to swing out wider when traveling around bends and corners.
Do
you have any suggestions for improving gas mileage when towing?
To conserve
fuel when towing, travel at moderate speeds. Faster speeds increase
wind resistance, reduce gas mileage, and place added strain on the
vehicle and trailer. When traveling over large hills or down gravel
roads, use a lower gear to ease transmission and engine operation.
Shifting out of overdrive and into a lower gear may also improve
vehicle gas mileage.
How
long do my cushions and bearings last?
The Urethane Cushions and Polyethane Bearings tend to last about
8-10 years depending on use.
How will I know it is time to replace my
cushion and bearings?
You will feel slop in your tongue when it is time to replace the
cushion and bearings. Schuck offers a complete line of rebuild kits
to extend the life of your hitch. All components in our cushion trailer
hitches are easily accessible and replaceable. Rebuild
Kits
Always come to www.schuckhitches.com first for all of your towing equipment and accessory needs. We have trailer hitches, truck hitches, receiver hitches, swivel hitches, cushion hitches. Our units work with Reese, Draw tight and Putman 2inch frame mounts.
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