Are you
trying to determine the best trailer
hitch setup for your application? It
takes more than knowing your tow vehicle's year, make, and model to make an
informed choice. Once you've gathered essential information from Trailer Hitch
Clinic Part 1: You Need More than a Ball,
you can then more easily determine the right trailer hitch setup for your task.
There are five different trailer hitch classes, each determined by their
weight ratings. Manufacturer testing determines ratings, which do not reflect
the towing capacity of your vehicle (some may exceed its towing capacity). Your
vehicle may have more than one option to choose from. Understanding the five
different classes of trailer hitches can help you find the one that is right
for your towing task:
Class 1
Up to 2,000 lbs. Gross Trailer
Weight (GTW)
1 ¼ inch receiver tube
Best for use with sub-compact,
compact, and mid-size cars.
Class 2
Up to 3,500 lbs. GTW
1 ¼ inch receiver tube
Commonly used with small cars
and light SUVs.
Class 3
3,500 to 12,000 lbs. GTW
3,500 to 12,000 lbs. GTW
2 inch receiver tube
The most common hitch used on
the road today, found on everything from full-size cars to full-size trucks
towing boats and pop-up campers.
Class 4
8,000 to 14,000 lbs. GTW
2 inch receiver tube
For use with larger trucks and
trailers holding heavy construction equip, large camping trailers, etc.
Class 5
16,000 to 20,000 lbs. GTW
2 to 2 ½ inch receiver tube
For extremely heavy duty
towing and large tow vehicles, such as half to 1-ton trucks, dually, and
chassis cab trucks.
Important Factors to Consider When Selecting a Trailer Hitch
To determine the best hitch for
the job, carefully consider how much your trailer weighs and the vehicle you
will be towing it with. Remember, like The Little Engine that Could, your tow
vehicle determines the amount of weight you can haul. Your hitch setup
determines the weight you can tote without a highway incident (hello, roadside
assistance), as does your trailer payload capacity.
If you are unsure about the weight
of your tow vehicle, trailer, or cargo, consult an Ainsworth Trailer Repair
pro, or take them to a certified scale. This essential information can help you
determine if you also need heavy duty towing accessories such as brake control,
sway control, or a weight distribution system. A weight distribution system may
increase the towing capacity of Class 3, 4, and 5 setups.
Depending on the coupling style of
your trailer, you may need additional equipment such as a gooseneck or 5th
wheel hitch. These are commonly used with larger payloads. They are capable of
carrying more weight than a bumper pull hitch setup and can do so without
swaying, wobbling, and destabilizing your tow vehicle because they center the
weight, making them ideal for long hauls.
This
article was previously published at: http://www.trailerrepairdenver.com/trailer-hitch-clinic-part-2-hitch-best-application/
