The number one bolt accessory of cars, trucks, and suvs is a trailer hitch. A Trailer hitch is used to tow just about everything. Whether it's a show car for a special event or a camper to get away and enjoy a much needed and well deserved vacation. A variety of trailer hitches and add-ons are available to accommodate your needs. Add-ons may include a weight distribution hitch, hitch ball & ball mounts, cargo carriers, and pintle hooks. The application of weight distribution hitches does as the name suggests. The weight of trailer is evenly distributed by shifting this weight to the trailer and tow vehicle's axles which, in turn, provides level towing, stabilizing the load. This reduces sway allowing for a smoother safer ride as well as providing increased control. Cargo carriers simply provide additonal cargo-carrying capacity increasing space, organization, and efficency. Hitch balls and ball mounts assist in towing. First, a hitch ball with a load rating equal to or exceeding the Trailer Gross Weight is needed. Receiver hitches utilize both removable and integrated ball mounts. Class I & II ball mounts, also referred to as drawbars, are integrated. Class III through V trailer hitches include many different ball mounts in order to accommodate the variety of SUV and truck suspensions and tire combinations. Removable ball mounts are offered with an adjustable rise or drop feature to provide level towing by accommodating variations in the height of the vehicle and trailer. As for a pintle hook this is a claw or pincer type device that clamps through a lunette ring on the trailer tongue providing a more secure coupling when used on rough terrain, making it superior to traditional ball-type trailer hitch. These are generally utilized commercially. If not already noticed, receiver hitches are divided into classes; Class I, Class II ,Class III, Class IV, and Class V. This aids in determining which would be best to meet any specific requirements for vehicle application. A strong enough trailer hitch should always be chosen to handle the maximum anticipated total weight of the load but shouldn't exceed the towing capacity of your vehicle. Referring to your vehicle's owner's manual will reveal the maximum towing and tongue weight limitations. Calculating the hitch (tongue) weight can also provide further assistance in selecting a proper hitch. This can be achieved by dividing the tongue load by the total trailer weight and then multiplying by 100 to equal a percent which should be between 9 and 11 percent. The trailer tongue load should be kept within this range of the loaded trailer weight for trailer hitches, and 12 percent for an applied weight-distribution feature. Below is additional information on the aforementioned trailer hitch classes.
Trailer Hitch Class I
Trailer Hitch Class II
Trailer Hitch Class III
Trailer Hitch Class IV