Trailer Hitch Information

From 2,000 to 30,000 lbs.

A trailer hitch is a piece of steel that attaches to the vehicle frame to allow a vehicle to tow a trailer, use a bike rack, attach a cargo carrier, or use any other hitch mounted accessory. Trailer hitches will come in several different classes. A class is a way of defining the weight rating and receiver opening size of a trailer hitch. Hitches within the same class will have the same weight capacities.

• Trailer hitch receivers are designed with removable drawbars and ball mounts.
• Trailer hitch is custom built according to the vehicle's manufacturer and model year to ensure perfect fit and top towing performance.
  • The custom design of each hitch will help reduce drilling into the vehicle frame.
  • Most newer applications bolt to the vehicle frame using existing holes. No drilling required.
• All hitches will have a specified towing capacity.
• All hitches will include any mounting hardware and instructions.
• Solid all-welded construction for maximum strength and safety.

Class I Trailer Hitch Receivers

Class I trailer hitches are designed for light duty towing. These trailer hitches will come in three different styles 1. standard style, 2. an invisible hitch style, and 3. flat fixed bar style. Class I hitches can be rated up to 2,000 lbs GTW and 200 lbs TW. Class I receiver hitches will only work with class I accessories. The class I receiver hitch is specifically designed to accept only class I accessories and ballmounts. Class I hitches will have a 1-1/4" x 1-1/4" opening on the receiver end. This is where the draw bar or ballmount will slide into and attach to the receiver hitch. This is also where any accessories that may be used will attach to the hitch. On Valley, Hidden-Hitch, and Curt class I trailer hitches the recommended ballmount is included. Draw-Tite offers drawbars separately for those only interested in carrying bike racks or cargo carriers.

Standard Hitches

• 1-1/4" x 1-1/4" receiver hitch opening
• Will work with any class I accessory.
  • Tube covers, hitch adapters, cargo carriers, or bike racks can be used.
  • 1-1/4" x 1-1/4" class II Accessories will not work with class I trailer hitches.
• Will require a draw bar or ballmount to tow a trailer.
• Uses a 1/2" pin to secure ballmount into place.
• Manufacture recommended draw bar or ballmount should be used for each specific receiver hitch.
• Will work with a 1-7/8" and 2" hitch balls with 3/4" diameter shank.
  • 2-5/16" hitch ball will not work.

Invisible Hitches

• Designed for a completely out of sight towing solution.
• The hitch is only visible when the ballmount is in place.
• 1-1/4" x 1-1/4" receiver hitch opening that faces the ground.
  • Will not work with standard class I ballmount or drawbars.
• Hitch is hidden once draw bar is removed.
• Uses a 1/2" pin to secure ballmount into place.
• Removable drawbar and accessory adapters are sold separately.
• Accessory adapter will allow for use of class I accessories.
• Will work with a 1-7/8" and 2" hitch balls with 3/4" shank diameter.
  • 2-5/16" hitch ball will not work.

Fixed-tongue Hitches

• Generally used to tow smaller trailers.
• Does not require a draw bar or ballmount
• Ballmount bike racks can be used.
• No need to lock ballmount to the receiver hitch
• Will work with a 1-7/8" and 2" hitch balls with 3/4" shank
  • 2-5/16" hitch ball will not work.

Class II Trailer Hitch Receivers

Class II receiver hitches are also designed for light duty towing. The hitches are rated up to 3,500 lbs GTW and 350 lbs TW. Class II receiver hitches will work with class I and II accessories, A removable drawbar or ballmount is required if towing a trailer. A 1/2" pin must be used to secure the ballmount into place. On Valley, Hidden-Hitch, and Curt class II trailer hitches the recommended ballmount is included. Draw-Tite offers drawbars separately for those using the hitch for accessories.

• 1-1/4" x 1-1/4" receiver hitch opening.
• Will work with any class I and II accessory.
  • bike racks, cargo carriers, and tube covers can be used
• Each trailer hitch will require a specific draw bar or ballmount to tow a trailer.
  • Manufacturer recommended draw bar or ballmount should be used for each specific receiver hitch.
• Uses a 1/2" pin to secure ballmount into place.
• Will work with class I and II 1-7/8" and 2" hitch balls with 3/4" diameter shank.
  • 2-5/16" hitch ball will not work.

Class III and IV Trailer Hitch Receivers

The class III receiver hitch is rated up to 6,000 lbs GTW with 600 lbs TW while the class IV receiver hitch is rated up to 12,000 lbs GTW and 1,000 TW. Class III and IV receiver hitches are designed to accept all class III adapters and accessories. The 2" x 2" receiver opening has long been the industry standard and more options are available for bike racks and cargo carriers. The heavier weight rating also allows for more gear to be carried. 1-1/4" hitch accessories (class I & II) can be used in class III & IV hitches with the use of a hitch adapter. Ballmounts are sold separately and many are available to make sure your trailer rides at a level height behind the tow vehicle. For additional assistance on choosing the correct ballmount application check out our ballmount FAQ page.

• 2" x 2" receiver hitch opening.
• Ballmount sold separately.
• Can be used with class III (2" accessories) (bike racks, cargo carriers, or tube covers)
• Available in square and round tube body designs [Receiver opening is square 2" x 2"]
• Designed for trucks, vans, and sport utility vehicles.
• Will work with 1-7/8", 2", or 2-5/16" hitch balls with 1" diameter shank.
  • Class IV, hitch balls require a 1-1/4" diameter shank

Most after market hitch manufacturers call any hitch with a 2" x 2" opening a class III trailer hitch. It is not uncommon to see a 2" hitch rated at 3,500 lbs GTW to be called a class III hitch.

Class V Trailer Hitch Receivers

Class V trailer hitches are designed to tow larger trailers. The 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" opening in the receiver end is especially designed to handle more weight as the system can handle up to 17,000 lbs. with 1,700 lbs. of tongue weight with a weight distribution system. Through the use of an adapter, the class V receiver hitch will be able to use any class III accessory.

Class V Hitches

• 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" receiver hitch opening
• Ballmount sold separately
• Can be used with any class III accessory (bike rack, cargo carrier, or tube cover) with the use of an adapter
• Designed for heavy duty trucks and vans
• Will work with class V 2" or 2-5/16" hitch balls with 1-1/4" shank

Weight Distribution VS Weight Carrying

Weight Distribution: Weight distribution systems hook up to the trailer through the use of spring bars. These spring bars apply leverage between the trailer and the tow vehicle. This leverage transfers the weight of the cargo load on the rear of the vehicle and the load of the tongue between the axles of the vehicle and trailer. With the rear cargo load and the tongue weight distributed between the axles, the vehicle is leveled of and performance is greatly increased. Weight distribution systems should be used if the trailer weight is more than 50% of the vehicle weight.

Weight Carrying: When towing a trailer with a standard ballmount, all of the trailer's tongue weight is transferred to the tow vehicle. Since the trailer hitch is attached to the vehicle frame, the additional weight in the rear will lower the back end of the vehicle while raising the front end. This means the rear axle will be handling not only the trailer tongue weight but an additional load as weight is transferred from the front axle. Less weight on the front axle can lead to performance decreases in steering, traction, and stopping while also increasing trailer sway.

Fifth Wheel Hitches

Fifth Wheel Hitches: Fifth wheel hitches are designed for trucks only, and are installed inside of the truck bed. It is recommended that the truck have an 8 ft bed for maximum performance. The hitch should be mounted in front of the rear axle of the truck. Trucks with a shorter bed do not have the same clearance needed to make sharp turns. To help with this problem a fifth wheel slider should be use to allow for the hitch to slide back so that the proper clearance can be achieved.

Gooseneck Hitches

Gooseneck Hitches: Gooseneck hitches will install almost the same way as a fifth wheel hitch. Gooseneck hitches are designed to allow for maximum use of the bed of the truck while still allowing for the vehicle to tow gooseneck trailers. Some gooseneck applications will simply fold out of the way or can be removed when the trailer is not in tow. While others will have to be removed using a couple of pins.

Related Categories

Ballmounts

Trailer Hitch Balls

Bike Racks

Cargo Carriers

Locks

Hitch Covers

Vehicle Accessories

Trailer Parts