Picking the right trailer hitch for your vehicle can be difficult, particularly for those who are the first to make the decision. There are likely to be a lot of concerns, including how do you make sure you’re picking the correct model of hitch? What is the process for installing it?
Wouldn’t it be great having the confidence and clarity determining what type of trailer hitch is a perfect match, without the confusion of technical terms? Make it easier for you to make the right choice when picking a trailer hitch using this article that explains the different types of hitches functions, applications as well as installation techniques and tips.
Why do I need a trailer hitch?
Drivers mount trailer hitches to their vehicles for various reasons. Some require them for business reasons for example, the towing of livestock or plowing snow. Some people want hitches for personal reasons or for lifestyle reasonss you need to bring your yacht to the fishing lake.
Trailer hitches give you the capability to autonomously tow long distances and much more. There are many advantages of acquiring an accessory trailer hitch for your vehicle.
Assisting Any Future Hauling Needs
Even if you’re not planning to tow trailers loaded with bulky cargo regularly the use of a trailer hitch can be very beneficial. Hitches provide convenient towing and carting options for all kinds of unusual transportation scenarios. In many cases, a normal vehicle or truck will not be enough to move specific items. Make use of trailer hitches to effortlessly and safely transport
Bicycles
Motorcycles
ATVs
Camping gear
RVs and campers
Boats
Landscape trailers or utility trailers
Trailers for Livestock
Flatbed trailers
Trailers with enclosed trailers
Cargo carriers
5th wheelers
Other vehicles for transportation
Other heavy machinery or equipment
Renting is more cost-effective than buying.
Renting a car with a hitch already installed and the capability to carry trailers can be costly and time-consuming. Rental companies may also require special trailer registrations and insurance dependent on the towing circumstances.
It’s much more economical over the long term to purchase trailer hitches that match the current vehicle or truck. In the event of a situation that require you to carry large loads or to haul another vehicle, you’re equipped.
The different types of trailer Hitches
Trailer towing kits of today are classified in accordance with a class-ranking system. There are five types of rear hitches with each one having a larger capacity for towing as well as the size of the openings for receivers.
We’ve added two more popular trailer hitches in addition to the five categories, giving an extensive guideline to start picking the ideal trailer hitch to match your vehicle.
1. Class 1 Hitch
Hitches of Class 1 are referred to as light-duty receiver hitches and they are the most fundamental type that is available. They are used to attach bikes or smaller cargo transporters. They also serve as an option to tow small enclosed utility trailers as well as vehicles.
Class 1 hitches can support the maximum weight of less than 2,000 pounds. If you are determining the weight of a class 1 hitch, search to find a 1 14″ 1 1/4 inches receiver, and an ounce capacity for the tongue of at least 200 pounds.
Class 1 hitches are compatible with virtually every towing vehicle. This includes compact and mid-sized cars that have light coolants for the transmission are usually in great shape.
2. Class 2 Hitch
Class 2, also known as regular-duty receiver hitches are among the most popular trailer hitches available today. Used and new class 2 hitches are mounted on the frames of the towing vehicle, which can range from mid-sized SUVs and cars to minivans, as well as compact pickup trucks. The hitches are regular-duty transmission coolers that are more than capable of handling up to 3,500 pounds of towing capacity and tongue weights that range from 300 to 300 pounds.
Class 2 hitches are ideal to tow ATVs, motorcycles small boats, trailers and other vehicles that are up to 12 feet in length.
3. Class 3 Hitch
Hitches of Class 3 are regarded as heavy-duty hitches. This type of hitch for trailers is often referred to as the king of general towing, having a the capacity to tow upwards of 10,000 pounds with a tongue weight capability between 750 and 1,000 pounds and the receiver size of 2 inches.
Hitches of class 3 that are heavy duty are connected through a drawbar, which is attached onto the framework of a vehicle towing. This is why certain manufacturers and distributors classify the trailer hitches of class 3 as under-car receivers because of this arrangement. You should consider an a-class 3 hitch when you own an intermediate or large-sized pickup truck, SUV or van that needs to tow campers, medium-sized trailers, boats of varying sizes and flatbeds for cargo transporting.
4. Class 4 Hitch
If you want to tow travel trailers that are longer than twelve feet or boats that are larger than 24, massive machinery , and other large vehicles will require an approved class 4 hitch.
The Super-Duty Receiving Hitch Class 4 models have an towing capacity of 10,000-14,000 pounds, and a tongue weight of between 1,000 and 1,400 pounds. They’re great for attaching trailers and light campers onto the back of a big-sized vehicle or pickup. They require an additional 2 inches or 2.5-inch receiver to be fully attached.
5. 5th-Wheel Hitch-Ups
The people who are regularly transporting machines, heavy equipment or transport vehicles typically choose to use the fifth and the most modern trailer type, which is the fifth-wheel hitch.
The type of hitch used is made specifically for beds of pickups and flatbed trucks. With a towing capacity of 12,000 to 20,000 pounds and an ability to carry a tongue weight of 1,200-1700 pounds, 5th-wheel hitches are placed just above and over a truck’s rear axle. Each unit is connected to its towing trailer using the central king pin which is once placed, appears like the plate on semi-tractors.
6. Gooseneck Hitch
Gooseneck hitches are similar to the trailer hitch model 5th wheel.
As with 5th wheels they’re designed specifically for flatbed trucks and pickups. Similar to 5th wheels, goosenecks are positioned on the beds of trucks, close to the rear axle and have a capacity of 3000 pounds. They’re a great hitch option for hauling industrial and commercial trailers, including livestock and horse trailers.
Gooseneck hitches are made to be more space sensitive than other types of trailer hitches. In particular they allow you to get the most out of the bed of your truck with an attached gooseneck hitch which is not possible to achieve with the more noticeable fifth-wheel trailer hitch.
7. Front-Mount Hitch
Like their name implies, front-mount hitches can be found in rear of your car. This kind of hitch is able to accommodate different attachments as well as innovative hauling solutions, such as:
Snowplowing
Scooping and dumped
Small cargo transporters
Winch Inserts
Front-mount hitches are rated with an entirely different rating system for class as compared to rear mounted. It is recommended to speak with an expert for the best match of your car’s model with the correct front mount hitch before you purchase it to ensure that you get the correct style and model.
How to Select an Hitch for a Trailer
The choice of a trailer hitch boils down to coordinating your needs for towing with your vehicle’s secure, and healthy towing capabilities. The majority of vehicles manufactured today has a specific hitch, which clarifies the selection of a hitch receiver and measurement process. However, owners of pickup trucks are able to choose a little more and can choose five wheel and gooseneck trailer hitches, in addition to other.
Get rid of the confusion about what to consider when choosing the best trailer hitch by bearing in mind these tips.
1. Do Your Research
The most straightforward way to begin your search for a trailer hitch is to find the category that matches your car’s make and model. The trailer hitches might not be in perfect alignment. But a little bit of research with the year, year-old, make, or even the sub-models of your vehicle will offer a sturdy springboard, ensuring an uninjured, fully functioning hitch that will last throughout the many years.
Knowing the hitch class your car can use offers numerous advantages, including:
It will make measuring and fitting the trailer hitch simpler
Keep the integrity of its assigned towing capacity
Maintain the health of your transmission
You can be confident in the size and class of hitch you select for your car
2. Choose the Right Look
It’s not the most important aspect of a great trailer hitch. But, trailer hitches have two different forms that you must consider before you buy such as square tubing or round tubing.
Round tubing can provide the appearance of a more elegant and expensive hitch. However round-tubed hitches tend to be less popular than those with square tubes and are likely to cost more.
It’s also important to think about whether you prefer an open or hidden hitch. Most hidden hitches are placed under the mattress of your vehicle or truck that is attractive for those who don’t wish to detract from the original design of your vehicle.
3. Take into consideration additional accessories
Other accessories for your trailer or towing might be necessary based on your needs for towing. For instance accessories for cargo management are typical if your vehicle is frequently used to transport heavy items. Additionally, hitch-mounting accessories are popular when it comes to replacement of individual hitch gear required to ensure a safe trip.
4. Double-check your Ball Mount and Ball Size
Ball mounts play a crucial role in making a secure connection between your trailer and your hitch. Certain trailer hitch kits include an appropriate unit ball mount. Some do not.
If you are looking for the ball mount, be sure to check the capacity of its towing, and weight ratings, and ensure the trailer to be towed does not over the weight rating. It is also important to check the shank and level connection heights to ensure that they are stable between your vehicle towing as well as the truck.
5. Practice Assembly
It’s an ideal rule of thumb to build your trailer hitch prior the vehicle installation. In a mock assembly you could connect your central drawbar as well as the pin , and the clip. You can then examine the model from its intended place. This will allow you to notice beforehand any deviations with respect to the drawing bar and drill marks and will help you plan an easier installation when it comes time.
How to Install the trailer Hitch
After you’ve secured the right hitch to pull your trailer, you should be aware of these crucial steps to install it.
1. Unloosen Up (If Not Required)
All five categories of trailer hitches are designed to be compatible with the typical make and specifications. Any modifications made to vehicles can affect the position of the hitch, certain instances, it is necessary to temporarily loosen or move certain components of your car to allow for the hitch properly.
Exhaust systems, car bumpers or the brackets that hold the bumper are three typical examples of vehicles’ equipment which may require these modifications for a short period of time. If in doubt, talk to an expert before making any vehicle adjustments.
2. Make Kit Parts for the Kit
Check all the components and parts that make up your receiver prior to installing. Although this may seem obvious but many people forget these basic preparatory stepsto aid in maintaining the integrity of your receiver and hitch through time:
Remove the bolts in your car frame. Infusing these holes with WD-40 will usually do the trick. After a few minutes cleaning the holes of dirt and grime with the wire brush, before starting the remainder of the installation.
Remove the bolts. Do the same thing that you followed to clean the bolt holes on the bolts making sure not to scratch or cause damage to the surface.
Make sure you have the right bolts. Since manufacturers of hitch kits create kits to fit certain car models, you need to have the right size bolts in your inventory. However, mix-ups can happen.
3. Build Your Tools
Get these tools to mount a hitch on your vehicle securely and safely:
Work light or shop light
Safety glasses
Work gloves
Torque wrench
Racket
Racket extension
Socket set
Swivel socket
If you’re not able the tools you need, think about having your car serviced to a professional for installation of your hitch. Other useful tools and equipment for installing a trailer hitch are:
Carjack stands
Screwdriver
Torx bits
Box wrench set
Carbide drill and power drill bits are required if you need to make new holes for bolts
4. Do the drill at your own risk
The hitches will bolt easily into the holes that are already in place on the underneath of your vehicle. If the holes you require are present — or have been misaligned as a result of changes to the vehicle, then you’ll need to drill bolt holes in the frame by yourself.
Follow the drilling guidelines included in the manual that comes with the hitch kit. Punch any holes that are new first. After center punching, drill small pilot holes prior to exchanging bits and creating the larger drill hole. This helps to prevent the least amount of damage to your bed as you can, and also assists in protecting vehicle components or equipment that are located close to the area of drilling. Do not drill a hole bigger than the diameter of the bolts in your kit.
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