Types of Trailer Hitches

When you’re shopping for towing equipment, it’s helpful to know about trailer hitch class ratings. They go from 1 to 5. Hitch class ratings are ranked in order of weight capacity and how big the receiver tube is. Level 1 is the lowest, with a tow capacity of up to 2,000 pounds. Level 5 is the highest, with a tow capacity of 16,000 to 17,000 pounds.

The types of trailer hitches that you can use on your vehicle depend on its make and model. For example, a sedan might be able to tow up to 2,000 pounds with a hitch. A sedan won’t be able to tow heavier weights, though. Before you shop for towing equipment, refer to your car or truck’s owner’s manual to see its towing capacity. If your vehicle came with a towing package, you still may need additional equipment before you can safely pull a trailer.

Keep in mind that the capacity refers to how much can be safely towed. The capacity will depend on factors like:

• The way the weight is configured.
• How much the vehicle weighs.
• How much the trailer weighs.
• The weight of everything in the vehicle, including the driver and all passengers, and the trailer and its cargo.

Safety Tip: To tow safely, don’t ever go above your vehicle’s towing capacity. Experts recommend staying a minimum of 10 percent below the towing capacity to account for the unexpected.

The term recreational vehicle (RV) can refer to a motor home, which doesn’t need to be towed, or travel trailers, which do. To pull a travel trailer, you need a hitch that can support its weight and a vehicle capable of towing that much weight. For most RVs, you will need a class 3, 4 or 5 hitch, depending on the size of the trailer. A crossover, minivan, SUV or smaller pickup truck may be able to tow a smaller travel trailer. For larger trailers, use a truck that has a weight capacity of 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton or 1 ton to work with a class 4 or 5 RV hitch.

A receiver hitch is installed underneath your vehicle. Its main component is a tube that hitch accessories can be connected to. No matter what kind of vehicle you have, there’s probably a receiver hitch for it. The four standard receiver hitch sizes are 1 1/2 inches, 2 inches, 2 1/2 inches and 3 inches. Sticking to these standard sizes will let you choose from a range of universal towing accessories that won’t need to be altered to fit.

Ball mounts go into the tube of a receiver hitch. A ball mount provides a place for a hitch ball. You can use the hitch ball to connect the tow vehicle to the trailer. Also known as trailer balls, hitch balls may be welded on or attached with a washer and a nut. They are available in a range of sizes.

If you want to add a trailer ball to your vehicle, you can get a ball mount that comes with one. Hitch assembly kits come with what you need for installation. However, some hitch balls may need to be installed by a professional. If you have a car or truck with a towing package from the manufacturer, you may still need to add a ball mount and a hitch ball to your vehicle.

A weight distribution hitch helps spread the weight of your trailer out into equal parts over the tires of the truck or car that’s towing it. Balancing the weight like this gives the driver better control of the tow vehicle. You might hear this type of trailer hitch called a load leveler or a load-equalizing hitch.

A 5th wheel hitch connects to the bed of a truck. It’s designed to connect with a 5th wheel trailer, which is a type of RV.

Another type of truck bed hitch is the gooseneck hitch. It’s used with a gooseneck trailer, which connects to the hitch with a long curvy metal piece that looks like the neck of a bird. These hitches and trailers can carry more weight than some other types of trailer hitches. A gooseneck hitch may be used with a horse or livestock trailer or a trailer for hauling cars and trucks. They also can work with RVs. If you need heavy-duty versatility, an adapter is available that allows a gooseneck hitch to be converted into a 5th wheel hitch.

In addition to a hitch, you’ll need other towing components to safely tow a trailer or RV. They include:

Trailer hitch coupler: Attaches to your trailer’s frame to allow you to attach the trailer to the hitch on your truck or car. You’ll need to be sure your coupler fits the type of trailer and the kind of hitch you have.

Safety chains: Connect the trailer and the tow vehicle. If the trailer comes off the trailer hitch for some reason, the chains will keep it connected to the vehicle. Safety chains and safety cables are available. The capacity of the chains or cables needs to be equal or greater than the gross weight of the trailer.

The laws in many states require drivers of a tow vehicle to use safety chains when pulling a trailer. However, you should plan to use safety chains regardless, even if they aren’t required in your area.

Brake controllers: Allows the driver of the tow vehicle to keep an eye on the trailer’s brakes and use them if necessary. Brake controllers typically have a display and controls to operate the trailer brakes. When you’re towing a trailer with electric brakes, they won’t work without a brake controller.

Laws govern how much weight you can tow without a brake controller. Requirements vary from state to state, so you’ll want to check the laws in the places you plan to tow.

Towing lights: Act as taillights, brake lights and turn signals. Towing lights help other drivers see your trailer or RV, especially at night and in rainy conditions. Federal law requires the use of lights and reflectors on all trailers and RVs.

A variety of hitch accessories are available:

• A trailer jack helps move the trailer up as you’re connecting or removing it from the hitch.
• Pins and clips are used to attach a ball mount to a receiver hitch.
• A hitch lock is another way to keep the ball mount and hitch connected. A lock needs a key to be opened, so it can help stop thieves from disconnecting your trailer.
• Hitch covers can protect your hitch receiver when it’s not being used. They are available in plastic and metal. You can get custom hitch covers adorned with car company logos or mascots for both professional and college teams.
• Hitch cargo carriers offer a way to carry small loads when you aren’t towing a trailer. The cargo carrier hooks into your hitch and can be packed with tools and supplies.
• A hitch guide or trailer hitch alignment guide can help line up your trailer and your tow vehicle. A hitch guide may feature poles with colorful spheres on top that allow the driver to see how everything is lined up. Other systems operate with rearview cameras that show the placement of the hitch.