The proper trailer hitch setup can be valuable for anyone who hauls. However, it is essential to understand the different hitch classes and what they can do for your vehicle’s towing capabilities.
Never tow anything that exceeds your vehicle’s manufacturer’s rating. It could damage the engine, transmission, and frame.
Safety Chains
While tow hitches are the workhorses of trailer connections, safety chains play a critical supporting role. These metal chains offer an extra layer of security by forming an additional point of contact between your vehicle and the trailer. Should the hitch coupler fail, the chains catch the trailer tongue, keeping it safely off the ground and preventing a potentially disastrous situation. They’re the unsung heroes of every tow hitch setup, ensuring your journeys are as safe as they are smooth.
Always crisscross safety chains and ensure they are long enough to allow the trailer to turn without hitting the ground. In addition, they should be long enough to hold the trailer tongue up if it becomes disconnected from the hitch ball or coupler.
Adding a weight distribution hitch to your towing system helps spread the trailer load evenly throughout the chassis, resulting in better handling and a more level ride. This will also help to reduce the likelihood of swaying and improve steering, braking, and traction control. It is essential to check the rating of your hitch components, including the receiver, ball, and coupler, against your trailer’s published GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating).
Hitch Locks
Hitch locks prevent a trailer from being able to be removed from a receiver hitch without the key. These devices slide into the side of a receiver tube and pass through a ball mount or other hitch accessory. They are available in a range of finishes and with different weight ratings.
Front mount hitches bolt to the front of a vehicle instead of the rear and are used for various applications, including adding cargo carriers or inserting winches. These accessories can also help with parking in a tight space and towing a car in reverse.
Gooseneck connections are located in the bed of larger pickup trucks and can be used for larger trailers like travel trailers or commercial equipment. They have a much higher towing capacity than standard receivers and are typically rated for up to 20,000 pounds. They are often used with a weight distribution hitch to ensure that the load is evenly distributed for increased safety and stability.
Coupler Locks
Trailer coupler locks are vital to ensuring your trailer remains secure when not in use. They can prevent a thief from hooking another vehicle to your trailer and driving away. Many of these locks are made from stainless steel, which allows them to resist the abuse and wear they will receive from frequent use and exposure to harsh outdoor elements (e.g., rain, snow, road salt, sleet, and UV rays).
There are a few different styles of these locks available. Some have a solid pin inserted through the receiver holes and locked with a cap or cylinder, while others have a shackle that is slipped over the shank of the hitch coupler and then secured with a lock cylinder. These locks can be used alone or with a locking hitch pin to protect your trailer while it is unattended. Whether you are at the job site and need to leave your truck and trailer behind for lunch, or you are camping and want to ensure your gear stays safely hooked to your camper, these coupler locks are perfect.
Ball Mount
Ensure that the receiver shank, ball mount, and coupler are all the correct sizes for the loaded capacity of your trailer. This can be done by examining the part or finding a size note directly on it.
You can choose a ball mount with a rise or drop to help ensure a tight connection between your truck and trailer. Subtract the height of your hitch receiver from the height of your trailer coupler to determine whether you need a rise or drop.
Another option is an adjustable pintle combination mount with a drop and a rise to suit your needs. These adjust vertically, allowing you to quickly connect and disconnect your trailer without moving the ball mount. This feature can also make navigating hills and other obstacles easier while on the road. It is essential to only tow a trailer within your vehicle manufacturer’s gross towing rating, as this can damage the truck and trailer and void any manufacturer’s warranties.
