Which Type of Trailer Hitch Do I Need?

Trailer hitches have become extremely common and are great tools for towing heavy items, such as bike racks, boats, steps and cargo. However, it’s important to buy the right one for your needs. Here’s our quick guide on which type of trailer hitch is for you:

Choosing the Right Type of Trailer Hitch

Let’s keep things simple. There are hitch classes (determines the weight a hitch type can support) and receiver size (the size of the hole, where you can insert things to tow).

There are five different hitch classes. Class I has the lowest capacity and class V has the highest.

Quick terminology guide:

• Gross Trailer Weight (GTW): Weight of the loaded trailer.
• Tongue Weight (TW): The pressure placed on the ball by the coupler.
  

But which type of trailer hitch do you need?

Class I Trailer Hitch

Class I trailer hitches are very common for car owners due to their lightweight lifting ability.

• Max GTW: 1,000-2,000 lbs
• Max TW: 100-200 lbs
• Receiver opening: 1-1/4"

Perfect for:

• Compact cars
• Midsize cars
• Full-size cars
• SUVs
• Minivans

Can Tow:

• Bicycles
• Small cargo carriers
• Kayaks and canoes
• Mobility scooters
• Small trailers