Class II Ball Mount Does Not Fit in a Class I Receiver Hitch

Published 04/03/2009

Question:

Id like to know the distance between the very back of the bar and the center of the hole where the pin is ed. I have the hidden hitch 60898 installed on my car. The receiver for it is quite shallow, and the drawbar I tried to buy would not work the pin-hole did not line up when the drawbar was ed all the way.

asked by: Dean

Expert Reply:

Class I and class II hitches both have an 1-1/4 x 1-1/4 inch receiver openings. However, a class I hitch has a towing capacity of 2000 lbs and a tongue weight of 200 lbs, a class II hitch has a towing capacity of 3500 lbs and a tongue weight of 300 lbs. Because of the differences in capacity, the hitch manufacturer designs the receiver shank depth in different sizes. The class I hitch is not as deep as a class II hitch, as you have discovered. The Hidden Hitch Class I Trailer Hitch, part # 60898 is a Class I hitch, and is only compatible with other Class I drawbars. It sounds like the drawbar you originally tried to purchase was a Class II drawbar. The drawbar you asked about, the Class II Drawbar 5/8 inch Rise or 1-1/4 inch Drop, part # 36053, is also a Class II drawbar, and will not work with your hitch. You will need a Class I drawbar, I recommend the Sportframe Drawbar 5/8 inch Rise 2000# Kit, part # 3591, for your hitch. This drawbar will, without a doubt, fit your Class I hitch.

expert reply by: Andi