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Empty_Nest__Soo's avatar
Dec 07, 2015

Connecting ReadyBrute Elite to Roadmaster EZ5 brackets

I’ve bought a Roadmaster base plate with EZ5 brackets, plus a ReadyBrute Elite tow bar with the adapters for the Roadmaster EZ5 with the 3/4-inch holes for connector. (Seems overkill for such a small car, but that is what it has.)

If I had the choice of getting two 3/4-inch hitch locks, keyed alike, for making the connection, that is what I would do. No one seems to make hitch locks in the 3/4-inch size.

I can stop by the nearest hardware store or farm store and buy a couple of 3/4-inch hitch pins of a suitable length, but I don’t know if something better or more suitable is available.

What is the customary practice for hardware for making this connection?

Thanks!

Wayne
  • This HITCH PIN is what I use. The large handle lets me get a good grip for those times it is in a bind and hard to extract.


    It comes in 1/2" (a pair), 5/8" (singles), and 3/4" (a pair).

  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Walmart sells sets of keyed-alike locks and a good drill bit can enlarge the clevis hole in a hitch pin. Keyed alike is available from other sources like Amazon where I asked for "padlocks keyed alike" and it gave me choices like 4, 6, 12 etc in the set, and types within set.
    Maybe Tractor Supply for the pins.
    W/out pix or instruction sheets, it's hard for me to picture where the pin needs to go. Simple spring clevis clips won't let you lose your towed vehicle. I think most of us who use locks want to prevent tampering, not even theft. They just don't want kids pulling pins as a prank, like to see what a fifth wheel looks like coming off the hitch with the landing gear retracted.
  • Bobbo wrote:
    This HITCH PIN is what I use. The large handle lets me get a good grip for those times it is in a bind and hard to extract.


    It comes in 1/2" (a pair), 5/8" (singles), and 3/4" (a pair).


    That's the kind of hitch pin I had in mind, since no one seems to make 3/4-inch locking pins such as are used for locking a hitch to a receiver.

    I can probably pick up a couple in a correct length at the local hardware or farm store.

    Thanks for the replies!

    Wayne
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    OH!

    You wanted one of these

    that usually come in 1/2" and 5/8" diameters. Sure, get a 3/4" from the tractor supply or so, drill out big enough for a quality padlock. Call it good.
  • Funny thing is, I had found a set of Blue Ox locking 5/8-inch hitch pins, plus two 1/2-inch locking pins for connecting the tow bars to the base plate. All keyed alike. Would have been perfect, except Roadmaster decided to use 3/4-inch pins for connecting the tow bars to their base plate brackets for our lightweight car. I was totally unable to find 3/4-inch locking pins for this purpose.

    I picked up a couple of 3/4-inch by 4 inches hitch pins today, like those in the photo above except for no lanyards holding the retaining pins, at the local Southern States Cooperative. (A buck each cheaper than TSC.) I’ll add my own lanyards and call it good enough.

    Wayne

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