How to Choose the Right Size Trailer Hitch

Updated by: Jacob J

Last Updated: 6/11/2024

Time to read: 10 mins.

How to Choose the Right Size Trailer Hitch

If you've never dealt with trailer hitches before, it can be kind of confusing. What do the different classes mean? What sizes are there, and what size do you need?

The hitch class and receiver size you need depends on two factors: what you want to tow or carry, and what your vehicle can handle. (You can put the strongest hitch in the world on the back of a Ford Focus, but you're still not going to transform it into a trailer-towing giant!)

The quickest and easiest way to figure out which hitches will work for your vehicle is to use our fitguide. Just input your vehicle's year, make, and model, and we'll show you only the hitches that fit.

But what if multiple hitch classes or sizes turn up, and you have options? What trailer hitch class do you need then?

We'll go over your options in more detail below, so you can confidently make the choice best suited for your vehicle and towing situation. So sit back, get comfortable, and get ready to take some notes, because class is in session.

In this article:

Class I Hitches
Class II Hitches
Class III Hitches
Class IV Hitches
Class V Hitches

What are the Different Trailer Hitch Classes?

There are a total of 5 trailer hitch classes, with Class I having the lowest capacity and Class V having the highest. Hitch classes essentially designate the hitch opening size and weight capacity.

Here's a quick breakdown of the 5 hitch classes, their associated capacities, and their typical receiver sizes.

Okay, great, you may be thinking. But what do these numbers actually translate to? For context, we've broken out the 5 trailer hitch classes below, including the typical tow vehicles, trailers, and accessories you'll see associated with each size.

Keep in mind that you are always limited by your lowest rated component. For instance, if your hitch can haul 8,000 lbs but your vehicle can only haul 3,000 lbs, you're maxed out at 3K.

*You can also check out our Tips on How to Tow a Trailer article as well as our Determining Trailer Tongue Weight article for more help towing your trailer!

KEY TERMS

Gross Trailer Weight (GTW): Weight of the loaded trailer. To determine GTW, weigh the loaded trailer on a vehicle scale.

Tongue Weight (TW): The downward pressure placed on the ball by the coupler. To determine TW, use a tongue weight scale or other method described here.

What is a Class I Trailer Hitch?

A Class I trailer hitch is the lightweight champion of the 5 available classes, making it perfect for small loads like kayaks or cargo carriers. These hitches are most often found on passenger cars and smaller SUVs.

Class I and Class II trailer hitches typically have a 1-1/4" x 1-1/4" receiver opening. Class II accessories will not work with Class I hitches.

Max GTW: 1,000-2,000 lbs

Max TW: 100-200 lbs

Receiver opening: 1-1/4"

Class I Typical Loads

Bikes (max 2)
Cargo carriers
Kayaks
Canoes
Mobility scooters
Small trailers

Class I Typical Tow Vehicles

Compact cars
Midsize cars
Full-size cars
SUVs
Minivans

What is a Class II Trailer Hitch?

A Class II trailer hitch is just a bit heftier than a Class I hitch. Like Class I hitches, they are typically found on passenger cars and smaller SUVs.

Because Class I and Class II hitch receivers are usually the same size, many people wonder if their Class II accessories will fit their Class I hitch. But alas, this is not the case!

Class I hitch receivers have a built-in stopper so that drawbars and accessory shanks can only slide into the trailer hitch opening to a certain point. Class II accessories have a longer shank, so they'll run into the stopper and won't be able to slide all the way into the receiver. This is to keep you from accidentally overloading your Class I hitch with a heavier Class II accessory. On the other hand, you CAN use a Class I accessory in a Class II hitch.

Max GTW: 2,000-3,500 lbs

Max TW: 200-525 lbs

Receiver opening: 1-1/4"

Class II Typical Loads

Bikes
Cargo carriers
Kayaks
Canoes
Mobility scooters
Small trailers
Small pop-up campers
Small boats

Class II Typical Tow Vehicles

Compact cars
Midsize cars
Full-size cars
SUVs
Minivans

What is a Class III Trailer Hitch?

Class III hitches are some of the most common due to their wide range of weight capacities (about 3,500 lbs GTW to 8,000 lbs GTW). If you want to tow a camper, you're best off sticking with at least a Class III hitch. Since this is the most common hitch size, you have way more options for everything from trailers to bike racks to cargo carriers.

Class III hitches have 2" x 2" wide receiver openings. However, you can still use 1-1/4" accessories if you've got them by using an adapter.

Max GTW: 3,500-8,000 lbs

Max TW: 300-800 lbs

Receiver opening: 2"

Class III Typical Loads

Midsize campers
Utility trailers
Lawn maintenance equipment
Bikes
Cargo carriers
Kaykas
Canoes
Motorcycles
Snowmobiles

Class III Typical Tow Vehicles

Full-size cars
Large SUVs
Minivans
Trucks

What is a Class IV Trailer Hitch?

We again step up the weight capacities with Class IV hitches. Like Class III hitches, Class IV hitches typically have 2" x 2" receivers. However, they come with an even beefier weight capacity (up to 12,000 lbs GTW).

Class IV hitches have 2" x 2" wide receiver openings. However, if you want to use your 1-1/4" accessories with your 2" hitch, you can use an adapter.

Max GTW: 5,000-12,000 lbs

Max TW: 500-1,200 lbs

Receiver opening: 2"

Class IV Typical Loads

Large campers
Large boats
Toy haulers
Horse trailers

Class IV Typical Tow Vehicles

Heavy-duty trucks
Large SUVs

What is a Class V Trailer Hitch?

Class V trailer hitches are as big as they come. These are the heavy-duty hitches made for hauling your heaviest trailers and toy haulers. Most Class V hitch receivers have a 2-1/2" receiver opening, although some have a 2" opening, and the largest even have a 3" opening (these giants are welded to the tow vehicle's frame).

If you need to carry a smaller accessory with a Class V hitch, adapters are available. (Special shout-out to our B&W adapters, which are designed with pinched ends to make lining up your pin holes effortless.)

Max GTW: 10,000-25,000 lbs

Max TW: 1,000-4,000 lbs

Receiver opening: 2", 2-1/2", or 3"

Class V Typical Loads

Large toy haulers
Equipment haulers
Multi-car trailers
Horse trailers

Class V Typical Tow Vehicles

Heavy-duty trucks
Commercial trucks

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