Trailer Hitch Options: Towing Products For The Long Haul
If you’re thinking about hauling a trailer, a trailer hitch is one of the most important parts you can buy for your truck. Without a good trailer hitch, you’re not going to get very far.
There are several types of trailer hitches: receiver hitches, gooseneck hitches and fifth wheel hitches. Choosing the right hitch for your trailer all depends on what you plan on hauling with your truck as well as your truck’s towing capacity.
At Truck 'N Trailers USA, we’ve been helping people select the right trailer hitch for their truck for more than 20 years. We’ve created a list of some of the most popular towing products out there to help get you started.
Receiver Hitches
A receiver hitch is mounted to the frame of your vehicle. This type of hitch has an opening that "receives" removable ball mounts and drawbars.
There are different classes of receiver hitches, which are based on towing capacity. Choosing the right class all depends on how much you plan on towing.
- Class I – Light loads up to 2,000 pounds
- Class II – Light loads up to 3,500 pounds
- Class III – Larger loads up to 5,000 pounds
- Class IV – Larger loads up to 10,000 pounds
Class I and Class II receiver hitches have a 1 1/4-inch square "receiver" tube. Class III and Class IV receiver hitches have a 2-inch square receiver tube. The size of the receiver tube will determine what type of ball mount you should buy.
When selecting the right hitch, be sure to take into account the towing capacity for your truck or SUV.
Even though a hitch may be rated for more weight, never tow more weight than what the tow vehicle is capable of pulling, per your owner’s manual. Even if your hitch can hold more weight, your suspension, shocks and brakes won’t be able to handle the excess load.
Gooseneck Hitches
Gooseneck hitches are used for hauling heavy-duty loads. These hitches can typically haul loads up to 25,000 or 30,000 pounds. Gooseneck hitches are typically used for hauling:
- Equipment Trailers
- RVs
- Horse Trailers
- Farming Equipment
Gooseneck hitches are mounted in the truck bed over the axle, which is the strongest part of your truck’s suspension. We use B&W gooseneck hitches because the gooseneck hitches are under the truck bed. With B&W gooseneck hitches, the only part that is visible is the trailer ball and the loops for your towing safety chains.
Depending on the model of your truck, a B&W turnover ball (gooseneck hitch) may install without removing the truck bed. Either way, for safety reasons, it is important to have a gooseneck hitch installed by a trained professional.
Like all hitches, be sure to check your truck’s towing capacity before installing a gooseneck hitch.
5th Wheel Hitches
In terms of hauling very heavy loads, a 5th wheel hitch is a good option. 5th wheel hitches mount on the center of the truck bed over the axle. These hitches have an elevated, pivoting head.
5th wheel hitches for pickup trucks are similar to the hitches you see for semi-trucks. These horseshoe-shaped hitches allow for a trailer coupling pin to be inserted into the hitch.
Because of the design, 5th wheel hitches allow easier hook up, and some 5th wheel hitches will automatically latch when connecting to a trailer.
As the name implies, 5th wheel hitches are great for towing things like 5th wheel RVs. Like gooseneck hitches, 5th wheel hitches can tow up to 20,000 or 30,000 pounds.
There are two versions of 5th wheel hitches, standard and sliding.
- Sliding 5th wheel hitches are great for trucks with short beds or trailers without extended kingpins.
- Standard 5th wheel hitches are great for trucks without clearance issues.
A sliding 5th wheel hitch allows you to slide the hitch back almost a foot to get extra clearance at low speeds. You must move it back to normal while towing. Without this style on a truck with an short bed, the nose of your RV could come in contact with the truck cab causing major damage to both the truck and RV.
As with all hitches, be sure to find out the towing capacity for your vehicle and the trailer weight before installing a 5th wheel hitch.
Towing Product Accessories
After selecting the right trailer hitch for your truck, there are a few towing accessories you may want to consider. Here are a few towing accessories that most people buy when they get a hitch.
- Ball Mount: The ball mount is a platform that attaches to a receiver hitch. The ball mount supports the trailer ball. These come in several sizes of "drop" or "rise" to keep your trailer level.
- Trailer Ball: The trailer ball is a ball that attaches to the ball mount. It connects the hitch to the trailer. These come in 1 7/8-inch, 2-inch, and 2 5/16-inch sizes in a variety of finishes such as chrome and stainless steel.
- Pin and Clip: The pin secures the ball mount to the receiver hitch. A pin is typically shaped like the letter "L." A clip performs the same task and is shaped similar to a paper clip or a cotter pin.
- Bike Racks: There are custom bike racks that can be attached to your receiver hitch. These typically can be hooked up in a few seconds.
- Cargo Basket: Cargo baskets allow you to hold extra items such as coolers and small grills. This accessory attaches to your receiver hitch.
- Trailer Locks: Trailer locks are a great cheap insurance option. Trailer locks protect your trailer while you’re away.
- Trailer electrical connection: This will range from a standard 4 way plug for trailer lighting to a 7 way RV style plug common for many larger trailers that also incorporates electric brakes.
- Brake Controllers: A trailer brake controller helps regulate your trailer’s braking. Most state laws require brake controllers if you have a tandem axle trailer.
Purchasing Trailer Hitches And Accessories
With all the different towing products out there, it can be a little overwhelming. At Truck 'N Trailers USA, we have all the popular towing products. We have Draw-Tite as well as B&W Trailer Hitches.
Check out our Truck'N Trailers USA products or visit one of the Truck'N Trailers USA locations.
