Finding the Best Trailer Hitch for Your Vehicle

No matter what you drive or what you’re towing, a trailer hitch is the lifeline between the vehicle and the trailer. There are a wide variety of trailer hitches available, each designed for different applications and trailer types. All the options can be confusing. Here we’ve outlined some of the basics of the process.

There are several factors you should take into consideration when shopping for a hitch, including your vehicle and what you plan to haul with it. The first step to getting a trailer hitch is to check your owner’s manual. Find out what the vehicle’s Tongue Weight (TW) and Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) is. GTW means the total mass of your trailer, including all of your cargo and hardware. TW is the amount of weight that rests directly on your hitch. This is key in deciding what trailer hitch to buy.

The second step:

to buying the right hitch is using the TW and GTW to choose which hitch you need. There are five different weight classes for trailer hitches separated into a chart. Once you know what kind of hitch you need, you can choose which hitch you want based on your weigh class’s options. Hitches have different features, brands, wirings, and more to choose from to get exactly what you need.

Curt hitches are one of the most popular for their well-fitting, vehicle-specific designs and rust-resistant powder coat finishes. The Hidden Hitch is a more low-profile option. This receiver hitch features removable drawbars that make it virtually invisible when not in use. There are many other types of hitches for more particular situation such as a gooseneck hitch, fifth wheel hitches, weight distribution hitches, front mount hitches, and more.

Installing a trailer hitch isn’t as hard as it appears:

The hitch purchased will be fully customized to the exact year, make, and model vehicle. For a no-drill installation most receiver hitches are engineered to bolt directly to existing holes in the frame. This makes most hitch installations relatively simple to do at home. It is usually a two-person job, as it can be difficult to hold up both ends of the hitch while bolting certain pieces on.

Figuring out what hitch is the best for your vehicle and situation is the hardest part, but once you have that taken care of it is easy to get started. These are just a few tips on getting your towing days rolling. If you have any questions about trailers, hitches, or other trailer equipment, contact Tropic Trailer at (239) 482-4430.