Do Hitch Pins and Locks have Weight Capacities

Published 11/26/2014

Question:

What towing weight is this receiver lock rated for?

asked by: Kurt G

Expert Reply:

Hitch pins and locks don't actually bear any of the weight of a trailer or accessory so they don't have weight ratings. The only weight capacities you need to consider are for the tow vehicle, the hitch, ball mount, and hitch ball. The tongue weight of a trailer puts so much downward force on the ball mount that it binds it up so well in the hitch that the hitch pin doesn't actually have any force put on it.

The hitch or ball mount would fail before the hitch pin would.

expert reply by: Jameson C