So how do you determine the towing capacity of your vehicle and use weight ratings to figure out which class of receiver hitch you need? To start with, make sure you consider the towing capacity of your vehicle, the hitch, the trailer, and any accessories used. So they should be strong enough to stop the trailer if they need to. Safety chains are intended to catch the trailer should something happen to your hitch. A writing harness allows for electricity to flow from your vehicle to the trailer. These two components are independent of the main mechanical parts of the trailer hitch. It should match the trailer coupler, which is the metal latch on the trailer itself which attaches to your trailer ball.įinally, your trailer hitch needs safety chains and a trailer wiring harness to be complete. Trailer balls are available in a variety of sizes, so you want to make sure the one you’re using works with your trailer. Next, the trailer ball is attached to the platform and this provides the direct connection to the trailer. The shank of the ball mount is secured in the receiver tube by a hitch pin or hitch lock. Commonly, this attachment will be a ball mount that consists of a shank and a trailer ball platform. So, this includes the receiver tube (which will either be square or round) into which your trailer hitch attachment will be inserted. Other hitch systems, like pintle hitches, have different components, covered in part below.įirst, the term “trailer hitch” itself refers specifically to the primary connector between your trailer and your vehicle. The standard receiver hitch set-up, sometimes called a tow hitch, is made up of seven main parts. Common Trailer Hitch Partsīefore we dive into the different types of hitches and what they’re used for, let’s go over some of the key parts you should know. It might sound silly, but you do want the trailer hitch you’re using to match the general style of your car!Īlways remember to read the owner’s manual to fully understand each part of your trailer hitch. After that, you’ll be looking at heavy-duty options, like a gooseneck hitch or fifth-wheel hitch.Īfter you’ve determined the proper hitch class and found a few options that are compatible with your vehicle, you can consider additional features you might want as well as the look of the hitch. There are five different classes of receiver hitch that correspond to different towing capacities, up to about 20,000 lbs. If you’re towing a standard travel trailer or wheel trailer, a receiver hitch should work fine. Most trailer hitches are a type of receiver hitch and these are available for most vehicles. Still, you should be careful to consider the hauling capacity of your car, SUV, or truck. That said, there are adapters available for many vehicles, so you can theoretically use just about any vehicle to haul a trailer. Trailer hitches are designed with specific vehicles in mind, so you’ll be somewhat limited in your options by the make, model, and year of the vehicle you’re hauling with. To start your search, consider a few basic questions about what you’re hauling, the vehicle you’ll be using, and any other features you might need. What to Consider When Buying Trailer Hitches And remember, the max hauling capacity of any setup is determined by the weight limit of the lowest-rated component. Pay special attention to the max towing capacity of your vehicle, trailer, hitch, and any other parts used. You can learn a lot from guides like this, but each vehicle and hitch is unique. The first tip is to pay attention to the specifications in the owner’s manual for any trailer hitch. You don’t want to finish setting up your new DIY camping trailer, just to find out you’ve got the wrong hitch to haul it. Whether you’re using a trailer hitch for the first time, trying to expand your options, or hauling with a new vehicle, understanding the difference between different types of trailer hitches can help you avoid all kinds of hassle. With the growing popularity of tiny homes, RVs, and other alternative camping options, there’s a lot to explore in the world of trailers and trailer hitches.
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