Understanding the Different Types of Camlock Fittings: A Complete Guide

If you’ve ever worked with hoses and pumps, whether for farming, industrial work, or even backyard water systems, there’s a good chance you’ve come across camlock fittings. They’re those clever little connectors that let you snap hoses and pipes together quickly, without tools, and they’ve made water transfer setups way easier for just about everyone.

But here’s the thing — not all camlock fittings are the same. There are several different types, and figuring out which one you need can be a bit confusing at first. That’s exactly why we’ve put this guide together. Whether you're just starting out or looking to upgrade your current gear, understanding the different types of camlock fittings will save you time, money, and a lot of unnecessary headaches.

You’ll find a huge range of these fittings at : https://garpen.com.au/product-category/water-pump/water-pump-parts/camlocks/, including aluminum, stainless steel, polypropylene — you name it. But before you start filling your cart, let’s break it all down in a way that actually makes sense.

What Are Camlock Fittings, Anyway?

Alright, quick refresher. Camlock fittings (also called cam and groove couplings) are a type of connector used to join hoses and pipes. Instead of screwing or clamping them together, you just pop one end into the other and pull down the cam arms to lock everything in place. Fast, easy, and secure.

This makes camlock fittings super popular in industries like agriculture, construction, petroleum, and even food processing. And yeah, they’re widely available in garpen, where you’ll find a bunch of types and sizes that work with whatever setup you’ve got.

The Main Types of Camlock Fittings

Camlock fittings are labeled by letters — A through F — and each type connects in a specific way. Here’s a quick guide to what they are and when you might use them.

Type A – Male Adapter x Female Thread

This type has a male camlock end and a female pipe thread on the other side. You’d use this when you need to screw the fitting into a female-threaded pipe or valve.

Example: Connecting a camlock hose to a tank with a threaded outlet.

Type B – Female Coupler x Male Thread

The opposite of Type A. This one has a female camlock (with the locking arms) and a male threaded end. It’s great when you’re attaching a camlock hose to equipment that has female threads.

Type C – Female Coupler x Hose Tail

This one’s got a female camlock on one side and a barbed hose tail on the other. Super handy for connecting flexible hoses — just clamp the hose onto the tail, and then snap the camlock end onto whatever you’re using.

Type D – Female Coupler x Female Thread

Both ends of this one are female — one’s the camlock coupler and the other is a threaded pipe end. It’s a bit more niche but useful when you’re working with equipment that has a male threaded connection.

Type E – Male Adapter x Hose Tail

This type has a male camlock fitting on one end and a hose tail on the other. It’s used to connect a flexible hose that you’ll clamp down, and then click into a camlock coupler.

Ideal for suction or discharge hoses — simple, rugged, and readily available online.

Type F – Male Adapter x Male Thread

This one’s got male threads on one end and a male camlock adapter on the other. It connects to a female-threaded pipe or fitting, and then you can snap it into a camlock coupler.

Not the most common for casual use, but definitely shows up in industrial water setups.

Choosing the Right Material

Camlock fittings come in a few different materials, and each has its strengths:

Aluminum: Lightweight and strong — good for general water transfer tasks.

Stainless Steel: More resistant to corrosion and high pressure. Ideal for food-grade or chemical handling.

Brass: Great for fuel and oil but more expensive.

Polypropylene: Lightweight and chemical resistant — solid choice for agriculture or light-duty work.

Garpen carries all of these options, so you can choose what suits your setup best without running around to multiple suppliers.

Handy Tips for Using Camlock Fittings

If you’re new to camlocks, here are a few quick things to keep in mind:

Always match sizes – Sounds obvious, but a 2” male camlock won’t work with a 1.5” female coupler.

Check the seals – Make sure the rubber gasket is in place and not damaged before locking it down.

Don’t force it – If it’s not clicking in easily, something’s probably off. Check for dirt, or mismatch.

Store clean and dry – After use, rinse off your fittings and keep them dry to avoid corrosion (especially for aluminum and steel types).

These fittings are built to last, but like anything else, a little care goes a long way.

Why People Trust garpen.com.au for Camlock Fittings

When you're buying gear online, especially stuff that keeps your systems running, you want to know it’s the real deal. That’s one of the reasons so many people trust Garpen. Their camlock fittings are built to industry standards, and you can find just about any type or size you need.

Whether you’re looking to set up a full water transfer system, upgrade a few connections, or just replace worn-out parts, they’ve got you covered. And the best part? No guessing. Their site is super straightforward — clear categories, sizing charts, and product info to help you make the right call.

Final Thoughts

Camlock fittings might seem like small parts of your overall setup, but they play a big role in how smooth (or frustrating) your water transfer system ends up being. Picking the right types — and understanding how they all fit together — makes your job easier, faster, and a whole lot cleaner.

So whether you’re working with pumps, tanks, irrigation systems, or anything in between, make sure you’ve got the right camlock fittings for the job. And if you’re not sure where to start, garpen is a great place to look. They’ve got the range, the quality, and the info you need to build a system that works — without the guesswork.