The perfect accessory can make an outfit, and the perfect trailer hitch set up can make your life easier. If you’re new to the world of trailers and trailer hitches, this is a great place to start. Here are a few basic types of trailer hitches, which will help you understand the world of trailers.
Ball Mounts
Towing vehicles, such as a pickup or SUV, usually come ready with a hitch receiver. A hitch receiver is a square opening under the back bumper of your vehicle that allows a ball mount to slide right in and be secured with a locking pin. Your ball mount needs to match the class of your hitch, which should reflect how much weight you plan to pull. There are five classes, broken down as follows:
Towing vehicles, such as a pickup or SUV, usually come ready with a hitch receiver. A hitch receiver is a square opening under the back bumper of your vehicle that allows a ball mount to slide right in and be secured with a locking pin. Your ball mount needs to match the class of your hitch, which should reflect how much weight you plan to pull. There are five classes, broken down as follows:
- Class I: 2,000 lbs
- Class II: 3,500 lbs
- Class III: 5,000 lbs
- Class IV: 10,000 lbs
- Class V: Anything > 10,000 lbs
Hitch Ball
A hitch ball is a trailer accessory that fits into the ball mount. The shank of the hitch ball comes in different diameters, so it's important to match the hitch ball to both the diameter of the ball mount and the coupler on the front of your trailer. Many trailer retailers sell packages with different sized hitch balls, allowing you to be able to tow a variety of different trailers.
Couplers
Couplers are the part that attaches to the front of your trailer. Couplers are similar to ball mounts in that they’re rated based on their weight capacity. There are two types of couplers: an A-frame and a straight-tongue. In both designs, a cup will be placed over your hitch ball, and a spring-loaded latch will secure the two pieces together. Since the opening of the coupler will need to fit over the hitch ball, you’ll need to make sure they’re the same diameter.
While there are many more different types of trailer accessories, these three are a great place to start when trying to understand the basics of hauling a trailer. If you want to learn more about trailer hitches, please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of us here at Terry’s Auto Body and Trailer Sales. We’d love to help you learn more, so give us a call at 641-985-2536, or visit our website.
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