RV FEATURE
TREG POLY BLOCK
No article about offroad couplings would be
complete without a mention of the Treg Poly
Block. Some love them, others not so much, but
it is probably the oldest – and most copied –
offroad coupling in the country, having been in
production for more than 60 years.
It uses a sideways U-shaped steel receiver that
mounts to the towbar in lieu of a towball. The
coupling is comprised of a steel shaft that bolts
to the A-frame, with the ‘poly block’ connecting
to the receiver via a spring-loaded pin.
Various types, with ratings from 2 tonnes to
3.5 tonnes, are available depending on the
application, including a version for trailers with
hydraulic override brakes.
The beauty of the Treg is its simplicity. No
complicated parts are involved. It offers free
horizontal and vertical rotation, and is relatively
inexpensive. It’s even compatible with WDHs.
However, it offers no self-guiding characteristics
– you have to align the receiver and the hole in
the poly block precisely in order to fit the spring
pin. However, these couplings are usually found
on lighter camper trailers, rather than caravans, so
(for some) shifting the camper by hand isn’t too
difficult. The spring pin also requires a degree of
strength, making it less suitable for anyone with
mobility issues or hand strength, such as arthritis.
TREG POLY BLOCK
RRP: $306.25
WWW.TREGTRAILERS.COM.AU
ON THE BALL
All of the couplings featured in this article
utilise either a special tow pin or a receiver that
has to be bolted to the towbar. But what if you
just want to use your existing towball?
Offroad ball couplings do exist but they’re
arguably not as popular. Al-Ko has both a
3.5-tonne-rated offroad ball coupling (RRP:
$437) suitable for electric brakes, as well as
one rated to two tonnes for mechanical over-
ride brakes ($491).
The Arc is another option. Like the Al-Ko unit,
it is available in a two-tonne version with over-
ride brakes, and a 3.5-tonne version for vans
with electric brakes.
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