What Do I Need To Tow A Trailer?
Five components are needed for towing a trailer:
- Trailer Hitch Reciever
- Ball Mount
- Pin and Clip
- Trailer Hitch Ball
- Wiring Harness
Trailer Hitch Reciever:
- Attaches to the underside of the vehicle and has a 1-1/4" x 1-1/4" or 2" x 2" receiver opening.
- The trailer hitch attachment points align with existing holes in the vehicle frame whenever possible.
- For heavy-duty applications, 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" receiver openings also are available.
- For an in-depth review of the different types of trailer hitches and how they are used, visit our detailed hitch information page.
Ball Mount:
- Also called a "drawbar," this is the piece that slides into the trailer hitch opening and provides a platform for mounting the ball.
- Ball mounts are available in different heights, sizes and styles.
- Make sure you get the ball mount that will fit your hitch opening and allows your trailer to stay level during towing.
- If you are unsure what size trailer hitch you have, we have put together information that will help determine your hitch size.
- To determine which ball mount is correct for your vehicle and trailer, visit our page on choosing the correct ball mount.
Pin and Clip:
- A pin and clip device is used to hold the ball mount inside the trailer hitch receiver opening.
- Hitch locks are also available and provide additional security by preventing theft of your ball mount or other hitch accessories.
Trailer Hitch Ball:
- Hitch balls are available in three different sizes, 1-7/8", 2" and 2-5/16".
- This is a measurement of the ball's diameter and should be the same as the coupler of the trailer you plan to tow.
- The ball sits on the ball mount and provides the attachment point for the trailer.
- If you plan to tow several trailers with different size couplers, you will need either a different hitch ball for each of them or an interchangeable ball system.
Wiring Harness:
- A wiring harness provides power and signals to the lights of a trailer.
- All vehicles that tow trailers are required by law to have a wiring harness to power the trailer's lights.
- For many vehicles, a T-One wiring harness that simply plugs into the vehicles wiring system is available.
- For these cars and trucks no cutting or splicing is required to connect your wiring.
- Otherwise, you will need to hardwire the vehicle. This is done by simply using scotch locks to connect the wires.
- For more information about how to wire for towing a trailer visit our wiring information page.
