D -Value for Pintle Hooks

D -Value for pintle hooks has long been a mystery for many when selecting the right size pintle hook for a truck. D-Value is maximum horizontal load in kN given to a pintle hook.

D -Value for Pintle Hooks is critical when selecting the correct pintle hook because depending on your truck and trailer weight, the D-Value is changing.

“So I think I need a 10t pintle hook because I am towing an 8t trailer with a 20t truck.” The manufacturer states he does not have a D-Value. (in this case, you cannot use this pintle hook with no D-Value)

D-Value is the result of dynamic testing where a maximum value is applied to the pintle hook being tested. In case of a Couplemate 10t pintle hook, the D-Value is 49kN

Now review our Min requirements for D Value and select your truck GVM and Trailer ATM.

For an 8t trailer, the max truck GVM is 20t a pintle hook of a Min 56kN is are required.

Our 14.5t Pintle Hook has a D Value of 73kN and can easily be used to tow an 8t trailer.

You also may wish to choose a ring coupling to install on your trailer. Ring couplings fall into the same equation. If it does not have a maximum D_Value then you cannot calculate the correct towing combination.

This can happen when wrong d_values are selected or your rig setup is wrong.

Couplemate has tested it 3″ ring coupling to 49kN. From the table, it is easy to calculate the correct towing configuration.

This article follows our last article on Dee Shackle – How to Select the Correct Size

Here is a short cut.