When it comes to taking our campers, trailers and other items with us on adventures, it can be easy to think all you need is a suitable vehicle and trailer setup. However, safely hauling loads requires much more than that – you also need a variety of accessories and tools to ensure trailers attach securely to your vehicle and can carry whatever comes their way, such as hitches. Learn more about the different hitch types and other towing parts that you might need for your journey.
Shopping for Hitches by Type
Trailer hitches are not a one-size-fits-all solution – you must have a compatible hitch type that works with your vehicle’s weight capacity, as well as your trailer’s specifications. Depending on how much you plan to haul, the weight your vehicle and trailer can handle and the kind of trailer you want to load, different hitch types may be better for your situation. The varying kinds of hitches include:
Front and Rear Receiver Hitches
Front and rear receiver hitches are your most common type of hitch, featuring a square tube-shaped receiver that attaches underneath your car or truck, giving vehicles a connection to add trailer hitch accessories. They come designed as a tube that allows for easy attaching to your vehicle. These are the most versatile hitches you can find, available in many classes to accommodate a variety of towing capacities.
These hitches also feature many sizes and styles that work with virtually any kind of truck or car setup, with the most standard sizes being 1-1/2 inches, 2 inches, 2-1/2 inches and 3 inches. Using these common hitch sizes means you can customize your trailer setup with a variety of universal towing accessories, such as ball mounts.
Trailer hitch ball mounts are accessories that fit into receiver hitches, giving you a place for your hitch ball. Hitch balls (also called trailer balls) are necessary for attaching trailers to tow vehicles. Find ball mount options with hitch balls already welded to the unit, or attach them using a washer and nut. You can also find all-in-one installation kits, which make it easy to install hitch assemblies to your tow vehicle.
Weight Distribution Hitches
Most haulers know the importance of distributing loads evenly across their trailer. But for those who don’t – you must distribute the weight of your load evenly across the bed of your trailer. When weight loads are centralized to one spot, it can make trailers more challenging to haul, as uneven weights can cause them to sway and tilt. What’s more, it can also damage your trailer, wheels and other components. Because of this, you must load trailers so the weight of your haul spreads across the entire bed equally and comfortably.
To help, consider purchasing a weight distribution hitch, also called a load leveler or load-equalizing hitch. These are designed to spread weight evenly across your trailer, making loads easier on your personal vehicle’s tires and giving you better driving control when hauling items. Weight distribution hitches cannot be used alone – you must also have a suitable receiver hitch to use them.
5th Wheel Hitches
If you have a 5th wheel trailer, RV or camper, you may need a more specialized hitch accessory, such as a 5th wheel hitch. These attach to the beds of pickup trucks via a kingpin to allow for heavy-duty hauling of heavier loads. They’re designed to be more stable than other options, and come with better weight distribution, meaning they’re easier to drive with and more durable than traditional receiver hitches. You must have a pickup truck with a bed to use these kinds of hitches.
Bumper Hitches
Bumper hitches are your most basic hitch type, once commonly used on many vehicles but not so much today. They connect to your car or truck’s bumper to allow for light-duty towing of smaller items, such as utility trailers or bike racks. These hitches are not very suitable for heavier hauls, so opt for a heavier-duty option if you need to carry larger items.
Gooseneck Hitches
When you need to drive with a gooseneck trailer, you must have a compatible hitch, such as a gooseneck hitch. Gooseneck trailers get their name from the metal component that connects them to trucks, which are shaped as a long and curvy metal piece, giving the appearance of a bird’s neck. Their shape allows you to carry more weight in one load, meaning you must have the right hitch to help vehicles handle them, anything from car and truck trailers to horse or livestock trailers, as well as RV hauling.
Similar to 5th wheel hitches, these also attach directly to truck beds, but instead utilize a ball and coupler system for connecting trailers. Use these hitches for heavy-duty loads, such as hauling heavy equipment and flatbeds. You can also find adapters and other accessories to convert your gooseneck hitch into a 5th wheel hitch.
Pintle Hitches
Pintle hitches are another type of hitch, designed for use with heavy-duty loads and on rough, rocky terrains. This makes them ideal for agricultural, construction and military applications.
These hitch types are distinct in that they provide a more durable and secure connection between your personal vehicle and trailer, as they prevent detaching from the lunette ring, even with improper installation. However, these hitches are also more challenging and timelier to install. If you’re someone who frequently removes their hitch after towing jobs are done, opt for a heavy-duty hitch option with easier installation.
Browsing for Hitches by Class
Alongside the type of hitch, you can shop for trailer hitches based on class rating. The class rating indicates the maximum weight capacity a hitch can handle, as well as the receiver tube size, and comes in a scale from 1 to 5. Class 1 hitches have the lowest weight capacity, with the ability to handle up to 2,000 pounds. Class 5 hitches, on the other hand, offer the highest weight capacity, designed to withstand anywhere from 16,000 to 20,000 pounds.
You must consider other factors that can reduce the weight capacity of your hitch, including:
- Weight of the vehicle, including passengers and cargo
- How weight is distributed throughout the trailer
- Trailer weight
When finding the right trailer hitch, you must know your vehicle’s weight limit as to how much it can tow. For example, smaller sedan personal vehicles won’t be able to tow as much weight as larger vehicles, such as trucks. In this case, you’d want a Class 1 hitch. If you’re looking to tow recreational vehicles (RVs), opt for a Class 3, 4 or 5 hitch. You should always refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual to find how much weight your vehicle can handle before purchasing a hitch.
Additionally, the class of receiver hitch determines the size of receiver tube, which must match your vehicle’s specifications to ensure a safe and proper fit. For instance, Class 1 hitches will use a 1-1/4-inch receiver tube, while Class 4 and 5 hitches need larger receiver tube sizes, including 2-1/2 inches or more, to accommodate heavy-duty towing applications.
What Other Accessories Do I Need for Towing?
Even if your truck or vehicle comes with a tow package, you may need other accessories before you can start towing. Alongside ball mounts and hitch balls, consider the following to add to your towing setup:
- Trailer hitch coupler: This goes onto your trailers’ frame to allow for secure trailer attachment to your vehicle, and it must be a compatible size with your trailer and hitch.
- Safety chains: These are an added safety measure, keeping trailers attached to your vehicle in case they come off the trailer hitch.
- Brake controllers: These come as a display with controls to make easy work of using and monitoring trailer brakes.
- Towing lights: These are required on all trailers, acting similarly as car lights to alert drivers you’re on the road, complete with turn signals, taillights and brake lights.
- Trailer jack: This assists with elevating trailers to allow for easy connection and removal from hitches.
- Hitch locks, pins and clips: These help secure ball mounts to receiver hitches, with hitch locks requiring the use of a key to open.
- Hitch cargo carrier: This is an accessory that attaches to your vehicle, but instead of connecting a trailer, you attach a small cargo carrier, making it easy to haul light-duty tools and supplies.
- Hitch cover: This goes over hitch receivers during storage or when not in use, available in metal or plastic constructions.
Handle Loads with Ease Using Supplies from Tractor Supply
Whether you require front receiver hitches for basic towing applications or more durable towing solutions, such as a gooseneck hitch, you can find everything you need to haul items safely and carefully at our store and online. If you want more information about buying a trailer, browse our trailer buying guide, which offers unique insights as to the type of trailer you need based on what you’re hauling. To learn more about our different hitch and towing products, visit your local Tractor Supply store today or browse online.