It achieves this by tightening the receiver and ball mount connections. Trailer hitches are primarily categorized by their weight ratings and receiver tube openings. However, their main differences can be further seen by the many types of hitching mechanisms they apply. Safety precautions must always be observed when pulling trailers along; you should never exceed the towing capacity of your tow vehicle.
Also, the weight of the loaded trailer must never exceed the load capacity of the hitch. A good practice is to double-check the weight ratings by weighing your rig using commercial scales. Excellent and thorough explanation Really knew nothing about hitches before this article. Now feel much more comfortable when discussing and confident in purchasing. Thank you. Hey Doug. We are glad that this article has been of help to you. You will definitely be smooth with hitches next time you try to purchase or even discuss them with your friends.
Make sure to check out our other articles on RVs. Wow, I found it interesting when you explained that there are six different types of hitches that are used to tow things.
If I were to guess, it would probably be important to get covers to place on these hitches when a vehicle isn't towing something. That way the metal is preserved and stays in good shape for a long time. Hey Henry. Most of these hitches are usually painted with a coating that effectively puts rusting at bay. However, it won't hurt to be a bit extra cautious as you suggest, so go ahead and cover them.
I had no idea that there are so many different types of trailer hitches. It is good to know that gooseneck trailer hitches come in different weight classes. That does seem like a good thing to be aware of if you want to use it on a heavy thing. Hello Smith, Yes, it makes sense that the hitches should be classified based on the weight carrying capacities since there's no a one-fits-all kind of elixir in the mechanical world. Everything has to be measured and balanced. In this post about trailer hitch types, you are going to learn: What a hitch is.
How the many different types of trailer hitches are classified. The difference between weight carrying and weight distributing hitches. The different hitch components and accessories. And much much more Definition A trailer hitch refers to the device that is attached to the chassis of a vehicle for towing purposes. Some common terms you might hear concerning towing and trailer hitches include the following: Coupler This is one of the components of a trailer hitch.
Sway Control This is primarily a shock absorber that impedes swaying of the trailer or tongue which may occur due to wind gusts, high speeds or passing vehicles. Hitch Class Hitches are grouped by their maximum weight capacity rating as well as receiver opening size. Tongue Weight Capacity This is the maximum weight that your towing vehicle can endure i. Gross Combination Weight Rating GCWR This refers to the maximum towable weight limit and includes total weights of a loaded trailer and tow vehicle with everything included such as fuel, passengers, safety gear and cargo.
Gross Trailer Weight GTW This is the total weight of a loaded trailer including the fluids, safety gear, cargo, wheel chocks and everything else.
Types of Hitches Both weight carrying hitches fall under six major categories; receiver hitches, bumper hitches, front-mount hitches, fifth wheel hicthes, gooseneck hitches and pintle hitches. Receiver Hitches Receiver Hitch. For example, cargo management accessories are common if your vehicle frequently transports heavy materials, and hitch-mounting accessories are popular when sourcing or replacing individual hitch gear necessary for a safe ride. Ball mounts are pivotal when creating a safe couple between your trailer with your hitch.
Some trailer hitch kits come with a matching unit ball mount. Others will not. During mock assembly, you can put together the central drawbar, the pin and the clip, then proceed to review the model in its intended position. This means any modifications to vehicles may alter the positioning of a hitch, in some cases requiring you to temporarily loosen or reposition certain car components to accommodate the hitch adequately.
Exhaust systems, vehicle bumpers or the brackets that mount the bumper are three common examples of vehicle equipment that may require such temporary adjustments. When in doubt, consult a mechanic before making vehicle modifications. Inspect all the parts and components of your hitch prior to installation.
While this seems intuitive, many forget these simple preparatory steps, which help maintain the integrity of your hitch and receiver over the years:. Other convenient tools and materials for installing trailer hitch include:. Hitches should bolt relatively easily into pre-existing holes on the underside of your vehicle.
If no such appropriate holes exist — or are misaligned due to vehicle alterations — then you must drill bolt holes into the frame yourself. Follow the drilling instructions included in the guide accompanying your hitch kit.
Center punch any new holes first. Follow center punching by drilling a small pilot hole before exchanging bits and creating the full-sized drill hole. This ensures as little damage to your underbed as possible, plus it helps protect vehicle equipment or components located near the drilling area.
Still not sure what type of trailer hitch is right for you? Consult the hitch experts at All Pro Trailer Superstore. From financing trailers to vehicle inspections to picking the right hitch types for your car or fleet, we have an unmatched depth or breadth of services available in one place. Reach out with your trailer hitch question today. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.
Use trailer hitches to easily and securely transport: Bicycles Motorcycles ATVs Camping gear Campers and RVs Boats Utility or landscaping trailers Livestock trailers Flatbed trailers Enclosed trailers Cargo carriers 5 th wheelers Other transportation vehicles Other equipment or heavy machinery Buying Is More Cost-Effective Than Renting Renting a vehicle with a pre-installed hitch and the capacity to haul trailers is expensive and cumbersome.
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Analytics Analytics. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Advertisement Advertisement. Full size pickups and SUVs have a higher towing capacity, these trailer hitches have a much larger capacity for towing travel trailers, heavier machinery, and boats larger than 24ft.
This receiver hitch has a tow capacity rating of up to 17, lbs gross trailer weight and 1, lbs tongue weight. Not to be confused with a bumper mount receiver hitch, the 5th wheel trailer hitch is specifically for pickup or flatbed trucks, and has up to 30, lbs of towing capacity. The 5th wheel hitch mounts in the bed of a truck and has a plate similar to a semi-tractor that a king pin on the 5th wheel trailer attaches to.
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