Whenever a person finds that they will need to tow a vehicle or trailer, it can be a confusing experience. Selecting a tow hitch can be a bit difficult for anyone who is unfamiliar with how to select the proper size and type of hitch for his or her needs.
One of the most important matters that must be decided is what type of car or truck will be doing the towing. The size and amount of weight that a vehicle can tow will often be based on the design of the vehicle itself. Very often, it can be helpful to consult the owner’s manual for the vehicle to determine weight and size restrictions.
Most towing today is done with ball hitches. These hitches come in five sizes or classes. Each class of hitch has different limitations that much also coincide with the limitations of the vehicle doing the towing. A class 1 hitch is designed to tow 2.000 pounds and it can be used on many smaller cars and trucks. A class 2 hitch will work on a minivan or large sedan. It can be used to tow trailers or vehicles that are 3,500 pounds or less. A class 3 hitch will tow up to 5,000 pounds and it works best on a mid-sized truck or sports utility vehicle. Class 4 hitches tow up to 7,500 pounds and they must be installed on a full size pickup truck. Finally, the class 5 hitch is designed for towing vehicles up to 14,000 pounds and it should only be attached to heavy duty trucks.
In addition to these ball hitches, some people may find that using a fifth wheel hitch will best suit their needs. These hitches are generally attached to the bed of a pickup truck. They are designed to be used with trailers that will hang over the pickup truck’s bed. This type of hitch can add greater stability to the vehicle being towed. They can tow up to 20,000 pounds and are ideally suited for towing livestock, heavy equipment and fifth wheel travel trailers.
When one is selecting a hitch for their vehicle, it can often be a good idea to visit a company like Hitch Depot USA for assistance with the matter. This type of company regularly deals with hitches for a variety of different vehicles and can help a customer in finding the right hitch for their needs.
