Trailer hitch kits allow you to do all kinds of things, from towing your camper to the lake to delivering your family’s belongings to your new home across the country. As more and more Americans opt for SUVs and pickup trucks to tackle family duty, towing capacity is suddenly in the hands of tons of drivers.
If you’re considering an upgrade to your truck’s towing packaging, check out our picks for the top trailer hitch kits from online retailers like Amazon. We used loads of top automotive resources, including Forbes Wheels, to narrow down our choices, so you don’t have to.
What Are Trailer Hitch Kits?
A hitch kit is a device used to attach a trailer to a tow vehicle. Manufacturers design every towing device with a unique purpose, size, and capability in mind. It mounts to your truck or SUV and provides a coupling point, often a ball mount, to hook up whatever you want to move.
Types of Trailer Hitch Kits
There are many types of hitches, including these four most common varieties:
- Square receiver.
- Drop (aka ball mount).
- Fifth wheel.
- Gooseneck.
How To Choose Trailer Hitch Kits
Having the right trailer hitch kit is crucial, whether you’re towing a utility tag-along or a 45-foot, fifth-wheel toy hauler. There are five primary classes of hitches that vary based on the tow vehicle, capacity, and receiver tube size, including:
Class 1
People generally use a class 1 hitch with a car or crossover. It measures 1 1/4 inches and can tow a small trailer and a modest amount of cargo weighing up to 2,000 pounds. This hitch also has a tongue weight (TW) of up to 200 pounds. CURT’s 11265 class 1 kit is a terrific place to start when you’re shopping for your new hitch.
Class 2
Engineers designed class 2 receivers for cars, crossovers, and minivans. Its receiver measures 1 1/4-inches, and it can reliably pull up to 3,500 with a 350-pound TW cap. It’s the next step up when you want to tow a bit more than a class 1 hitch kit can handle.
Class 3
This class is a terrific starting place for road-trippers who want to bring along more gear than your SUV has cargo room. You can mount a 2-inch, class 3 hitch to your crossover, minivan, SUV, or pick up and tow up to 8,000 pounds with an 800-pound maximum TW.
Class 3 trailers also offer a weight distribution (WD) rating. This figure is helpful information when you want to pull weights in higher classes. This number refers to how much weight the equipment can support across its tongue and to the tow vehicle’s front axles. For example, class 3 trailer hitch kits like the CURT 13333 can support up to 12,000 pounds and a weight distribution tongue weight (WDTW) capacity of up to 1,200 pounds.
Class 4
Drivers commonly install class 4 receivers on passenger trucks and SUVs. These 2-inch trailer hitch kits help you pull up to 10,000 pounds with a TW of up to 1,000 pounds. This class also features a unique weight distribution rating with 12,000- and 1,200-pound maximums for capacity and TW. The HS Power model on Amazon is an excellent choice among competitors, thanks to its outstanding quality.
Class 5 Extra Duty
Extra duty class 5 trailer hitch kits like the Draw-Tite 41931 can pull large loads. With a 2-inch receiver, you can drag a load up to 17,000 pounds with a TW of up to 2,550 pounds. If you’re hauling at this level, you might want to consider adding a few pro-level accessories.
Class 5 Commercial
If you’re a pro, start looking for trailer hitch kits here. You’re probably going to need a dually truck with some serious horsepower if you’re towing with a class 5, 2 1/2-inch commercial receiver. A class 5 commercial receiver, like the CURT 15704 Commercial Duty trailer hitch kit, is rated to pull a gross weight between 18,000 and 20,000 pounds, with a TW of 2,700 pounds.
How To Replace/Install Trailer Hitch Kits
Disclaimer: The guidelines in this story are general and not meant to replace instructions for your specific vehicle. Please consult your owner’s manual or repair guide before attempting repairs.
Installing a trailer hitch kit is a relatively easy job that requires minimal tools. However, before you click the buy button, take the time to read over the company’s instruction information. Make sure the mounting process is something you’re comfortable taking on or opt for the help of a professional installer. When you decide you can handle it yourself, follow these basic steps:
Assemble Your Tools
Every hitch installation requires a few tools. Don’t worry. Most average do-it-yourselfers will already have everything you need on hand. Before you begin, assemble a few items, including:
- Work light.
- Socket set.
- Ratchet set with extensions.
- Swivel socket.
- Torque wrench.
- Work gloves.
- Safety glasses.
Jack Up Your Vehicle
Depending on which device you purchased and your available workspace, you may want to jack up your vehicle. For most trailer hitch kit installations, you can skip this step. However, if you need to raise your truck, remember to chock the wheels first and engage the parking brake.
Remove Equipment
Some automotive manufacturers stow the spare tire under the car. If your brand designed your vehicle this way, remove it. You may also need to take off the exhaust or even lower the tailpipe. Some trailer hitch kits require you to remove bolts and other hardware to make way for the product’s frame. Check your instruction manual for directions.
Attach the Hitch
Lift the hitch into position. If you’re mounting a large class 5 fifth-wheel connection, it could weigh as much as 200 pounds. Make sure you’ve got a buddy or two to lend a hand. Next, attach the trailer hitch kit hardware and hand-tighten the bolts. Once secure, fully torque the bolts to the recommended values, usually between 100 and 150 foot-pounds.
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Source: www.caranddriver.com