Trailer Hitch Types Review
Trailer Hitches come in a variety of different styles to meet a wide range of towing and cargo carrying needs. Following is a review of the main types of trailer hitches and their typical uses.
Hitch Types:
- Standard Trailer Hitch
- Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitch
- Gooseneck Trailer Hitch
- Front Mount Trailer Hitch
- Specialty Trailer Hitch
Standard Trailer Hitch
The most common type of trailer hitch. The standard hitch is a piece of steel that will typically bolt to the vehicle frame. They have a wide variety of uses. The most common include:
- Towing a trailer
- Carrying a bike rack
- Carrying a cargo carrier
- use any of the hitch mounted accessory
These type of hitches come several different styles, but the majority of them are designated into classes ranging from I to V. The classes provide a guide for the two most important aspects of a trailer hitch: weight capacity and receiver opening size. If you would like to learn more, we have a review of hitch classes article and a hitch classes video.
Trailer Hitch
- Classes range from I to V
- A "class" is a way of defining the weight rating and receiver opening size of a hitch
- Hitches within the same class will have the same weight capacities
- Designed for use with removable ball mounts
- Custom built according to the vehicle manufacturer and model year to ensure perfect fit
- Most hitches bolt to the vehicle frame using existing holes
- Towing capacities typically range from 2,000 pounds to 17,000 pounds
- Construction is solid and all-welded for maximum strength and safety
Fifth Wheel Hitch
- Designed for heavy duty towing with pickup trucks
- Capacities range from 15,000 to 30,000 pounds
- Installs inside the truck bed
- Because the hitch must remain in front of the rear axle, long-bed full-size trucks are recommended
- If a short-bed truck will be used, it is recommended that a Slider Fifth Wheel Hitch or Sidewinder is used
- Without a slider or Sidewinder, the trailer can strike the cab on sharp turns
- An extended pin box (minimum 13") can be used to create even more space between the truck cab and the trailer
You may also be interested in our fifth wheel information article.
Gooseneck Hitch
- Designed for heavy duty towing with pickup trucks
- Typical uses include towing horse trailers and construction trailers
- Typical capacity is 30,000 pounds, but is limited by capacity of truck
- Installs in truck bed, similar to a fifth wheel hitch
- Can be used with short bed trucks
- Allows for maximum use of the truck bed while still allowing the vehicle to tow gooseneck trailers
- Some gooseneck hitches fold down or install under the truck bed, allowing full use of the truck bed when not towing
- Others can be removed by releasing the attachment pins
Front Mount Trailer Hitch
Front mount trailer hitches are a great accessory for carrying additional gear or equipment. They work well for use when launching boats, carrying a winch, spare tire, or bike rack.
- Typically used on trucks
- Uses include carrying a spare tire, launching boats, winches, or bike racks
- Designed for use with removable ball mounts
- Custom built according to the vehicle manufacturer and model year to ensure perfect fit
- Most hitches bolt to the vehicle frame using existing holes
- Construction is solid and all-welded for maximum strength and safety
Specialty Trailer Hitch
Specialty trailer hitches come in a wide variety of styles and are typically designed to meet a very specific need. They range from light duty, fixed tongue hitches that are intended for small vehicles that need to do light duty towing, to invisible hitches that are completely concealed from view, or heavy duty weld-on hitches for towing large trailers. For more information about you can read our specialty trailer hitch review.
- Invisible Hitch
- Stealth Hitch
- Fixed Tongue Hitch
- Integrated Wiring Hitch
- Weld-On Hitch
Help
Trailer Hitch Classes and Weight Capacity ComparisonClass I Trailer Hitch and Weight Capacities ReviewClass II Trailer Hitch and Weight Capacities ReviewClass III Trailer Hitch and Weight Capacities ReviewUsing Stove Wire as a Bolt Leader DemonstrationLowering Exhaust Pipe on Vehicle with Rubber HangerLowering Exhaust Example for Trailer Hitch InstallationUsing Fish Wire for Trailer Hitch InstallationDrilling a Spare Tire Pan for a Trailer Hitch InstallationDrilling to Enlarge a Frame Hole for Hitch InstallHandle Nut DemonstrationTrailer Hitch Help
How to Install a Trailer HitchTowing System ComponentsTrailer Hitch Classes ReviewTrailer Hitch TypesSpecialty Trailer Hitch ReviewHow to Determine Your Hitch SizeQuestions and AnswersRecent Trailer Hitch Questions and Answers
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Question:
I am considering putting a class III hitch I think a ball mount on my 2002 Pontiac Montana, in order to pull a horse trailer that will be about 2500lbs fully loaded. Hubby believes this will destroy the Montanas engine, but the Montana is rated to pull 3500 lbs. Do you have any thoughts/concerns?
asked by: Sharon last update: December 30, 2008
Reply:
I'm going to have to side with your husband here, for several reasons. In addition to the motor, towing the horse trailer will also be very hard on your transmission, but we can mitigate that by adding a transmission cooler. You would also almost certainly need a weight distribution system to alleviate the trailer squat you will experience once the trailer is hitched to your vehicle. You will also need a brake controller and installation kit if the trailer has electric brakes. You will spend quite a few dollars so a vehicle that is not meant to tow a horse trailer will tow a horse trailer. I'd advise finding a good used pickup, which would tow your horses around all day long with no trouble whatsoever.
reply by: Mike
Question:
I have a 2008 Avalanche that came with the heavy duty towing package. I purchased a Reese Towpower Class III ball mount with 2 ball, 2 rise and 9 length. Im towing a 6x12 rental trailer for the first time but would like to use the ball and mount for other purposes. 1. Is the 9 length too long for most trailering jobs? I see that I could have gotten a 8.5 length. 2. Im concerned about my hitch being made in China. For the rental trailer, itll probably do, since were not putting much in the trailer. I would worry about using it to tow a small camping trailer that we may rent. 3. What are some of the best hitch-mounted accessories for a pickup truck? We bike, camp and surf fish.
asked by: Kevin last update: December 23, 2008
Reply:
You should have absolutely no problem with the length of your ballmount, they are actually available in lengths up to 16", measured from the hole for the pin to the hole where the ball attaches. If your trailer hitch is a Class III, as long as you don't exceed it's capacity, you should have no worries about that hitch. As far as hitch mounted accessories go, you have definitely come to the right place. We offer a huge selection of bike racks and cargo carrying options at the best prices anywhere.
reply by: Mike
Question:
Will this hitch (Hidden Hitch P/N 87454) interfere with a full-size spare on a 2004 Honda Pilot?
asked by: Nathan last update: December 23, 2008
Reply:
Here's a copy of the installation instructions. The instructions make no mention of any clearance issues with a full sized spare. These instructions come directly from the Hidden-Hitch, who have sold thousands of these hitches over the years. Since no fit issue is mentioned, I'm confident you'll have no problem.
reply by: Mike
Question:
I own a 2003 Pontiac Vibe. It is AWD and has a 1.8 liters 4 in-line front engine. I am moving from Michigan to Seattle and dont have a lot to move. I am wondering if I can put a trailer hitch on the car and tow a small trailer. I was thinking of putting a Class I hitch on. Any help will be appreciated.
asked by: Shawn last update: December 16, 2008
Reply:
You can definitely install a hitch on your 2003 Pontiac Vibe. We have a Class I hitch available for your vehicle. I'd recommend the Hidden Hitch Class I model. Many people prefer the look of a round tube hitch vs. a square tube. This hitch can safely tow 2000 lbs (total weight of trailer plus it's contents).
reply by: Mike
Question:
do you know about a sliding gooseneck hitch.
asked by: Mel last update: December 15, 2008
Reply:
We do not offer a sliding gooseneck hitch. There is a sliding fifth wheel hitch, but not a gooseneck hitch that actually slides fore and aft. However, we DO offer some offset gooseneck balls that work ONLY with specific models of hitches. Part # 19304 works with Hide a Goose models 63102, 63103, and 63104 only. Part # 19308 would work with Hide a Goose models 9460, 9461, 9462 and 9463 only.
reply by: Mike
Question:
If I install a gooseneck in a short bed truck will I run into turning radius problems?
asked by: Larry last update: December 11, 2008
Reply:
How short is the truck bed? Typically, gooseneck trailers do not have clearance problems between the trailer and the cab. You'll want to make sure you will have plenty of clearance between the bottom of the gooseneck portion of the trailer and the top of the bed side rails.
reply by: Mike
Question:
I own a 1996 6 cylinder, engine model 5VZ-FE Toyota 4-runner. I am not sure of the hitch, but it is either a III or IV. I want to be able to carry my motorcycle wt. of cycle and carrier approx. 450 lbs. Also what would be the maximum carrying capacity of this hitch? Will my hitch be sufficient and not interfere with the handling of the vehicle?
asked by: Larry last update: December 10, 2008
Reply:
Your vehicle most likely has a Class III hitch. The aftermarket Class III hitches that we offer for your vehicle have a 500 pound tongue weight capacity, which means that you can suspend up to 500 lbs from the receiver. Without knowing anything about the hitch you have on your vehicle, I cannot say with any certainty what the capacity of your hitch is, but it should have a sticker on it somewhere that lists the towing and the tongue weight capacity. As long as you don't exceed the capacity of the hitch, what you are wanting to carry shouldn't interfere with the handling of your vehicle.
reply by: Mike
Question:
I am getting a gooseneck trailer for my boat. Total weight is 16,000 lbs. How much weight should I have on the gooseneck hitch?
asked by: John last update: December 3, 2008
Reply:
Are you talking about the vertical load (tongue weight) capacity of the hitch? Or are are you asking about the towing capacity? The gooseneck hitches themselves are rated at 25,000 to 30,000 lbs of towing capacity. They will be limited by the rating of the mounting rails and the towing capacity of the vehicle used. The tongue weight capacity is usually 10 - 15% of the towing capacity.
reply by: Mike
Question:
A friend of mine has a 1996 Chevy S-10 Blazer Tahoe LT and he wants to sell me the factory hitch to me for installation on my 1995 Chevy Blazer S-10 4 dr. Question: How is it attached to the 1996 Blazer? How hard is it to remove? How hard will it be for me to install on my 1995?
asked by: James last update: December 2, 2008
Reply:
I have no knowledge of how the OEM hitch attaches to the 1996 Blazer. We deal in aftermarket hitches, which are very easy to install on this vehicle. The aftermarket hitches that we offer do carry over from the 1995 to the 1996 model, so your friend's hitch should fit your Blazer. Here are some installation instructions for the class III hitch we offer for that vehicle, I hope you will find them helpful.
reply by: Mike
Question:
When you do not know the height of the hitch on the trailers you might tow,what would you recommend for the on the hitch of a 2008 tahoe SUV?
asked by: last update: November 29, 2008
Reply:
When you are not sure of the coupler height of the trailers you might tow in the future, an adjustable ballmount would be a great choice. By scrolling down the page, you will see that we have several models to choose from. Make sure you choose one with the proper weight rating to match your trailer.
reply by: Mike
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