Whether you have to tow a car when you’re relocating to another place or you need to take your RV or travel trailer along on your family road trip, you cannot do without a Trailer Hitch. Basically, you need a trailer hitch to connect or join your car tow dolly and your tow vehicle for secure and smooth transportation or journey. However, it’s extremely essential that you choose the correct trailer hitch for a safe towing experience.
In this article, we will talk about adjustable trailer hitches with example of Garvee adjustable trailer hitch, the key components, how to choose the correct trailer hitch and more.
Understanding Trailer Hitches: A Detailed Guide
Let’s understand all about trailer hitches, integral tools in automotive what are they, the different types, the key parts, and more below.
A Trailer Hitch: What Is It?
A trailer hitch basically connects or joins together the towing car to the tow dolly. It ensures that both the trailer hitch and the car tow dolly are fastened well enough for a safe and easy towing experience.
Different Types of Trailer Hitches?
There are typically three kinds of trailer hitches and they are:
1. Receiver Hitch:
If there’s any trailer hitch out there that is the most widely known and widely common, then that is the receiver hitch. It actually includes a standard-sized square receiver tube that is basically used to attach a ball mount or any other hitch accessories.
2. Gooseneck Hitch:
Essentially, a gooseneck trailer hitch is a truck bed hitch. This hitch attaches to a gooseneck trailer with a hitch ball. The gooseneck hitch’s main body section is mounted underneath the truck bed and is also fastened with the help of brackets to the frame of the truck.
3. Fifth-Wheel Hitch:
As the name implies, a fifth-wheel hitch is specifically designed to attach to the kingpin of a fifth-wheel trailer. The revolving head plate of the hitch offers the trailer with the much-need motion to be towed smoothly. Besides, the kingpin is secured together by metal jaws or locking bars.
Main Components of Trailer Hitches
A trailer hitch has various components and you should be aware of each one. Let’s take a look at them below.
Trailer Hitch Receiver:
The trailer hitch receiver is one of the most important sections of a trailer hitch. This is that section of a trailer hitch that is basically a square tube that receives the ball mount and other hitch-mounted accessories or attachments.
Trailer Hitch Ball:
The primary attachment point that connects the trailer to the hitch is the trailer hitch ball or tow ball. Besides, these hitch balls help the trailer pivot with ease, thereby, ensuring a smooth turning during towing. Also, trailer hitch balls come in various sizes and types, hence, when selecting a trailer hitch ball, you must be extra cautious and pick the most suitable one.
Trailer Hitch Pin:
A trailer hitch pin is another essential component of the trailer hitch. It is the hitch pin that is especially responsible for securing the hitch receiver to the ball mount. It ensures that the ball mount is fastened well enough so that it doesn’t come off during towing. You will find various sizes of trailer hitch pins available, always choose the one that best suits your towing needs.
Trailer Hitch Lock:
In order to maintain additional security, a trailer hitch lock is crucial to make sure that your towed car or vehicle doesn’t detach. It’s this added locking system that ensures the hitch and trailer are secured well. Moreover, hitch locks mainly are required to keep thieves from stealing your trailer and hitch.
Trailer Hitch Covers:
You need a trailer hitch cover to safeguard your hitch receiver from rust, dirt and debris when you are not using it.
Trailer Hitch Parts:
You have various other trailer hitch parts and accessories to consider as well. These include brackets, bolts, safety chains, mounting hardware, wiring harnesses, etc. It’s imperative that you choose parts that are of top-notch quality so that it’s reliable for your towing needs and also lasts you long enough.
How to Choose the Correct Trailer Hitch?
Now that you are well aware of what a trailer hitch is and its key components, let’s understand How to choose the correct trailer hitch for your needs.
Firstly, to choose the ideal trailer hitch you need to match the hitch type:
- to the towing load
- to the load capacity of your car
Secondly, how do you do this? Well, let’s take a look at these important pointers that you need to consider below.
- It’s extremely paramount that you understand and access the towing capacity of your vehicle.
- It’s equally essential that you assess what’s the trailer weight that you are considering.
- Now based on both the towing capacity of your car or vehicle and total load weight get yourself a hitch class that suits your requirements.
- Additionally, when choosing the hitch ball make sure that the size of it is applicable for the trailer coupler.
- Besides, look for additional features in the trailer hitch you decide to choose. This could include weight distribution or sway control and more.
