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Trailer
Hitches - Choosing the Right Hitch
3
Steps to Safe, Trouble-Free Towing
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Identify
the towing capacity of the vehicle tow vehicle.
(see owners manual) |
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Determine
the gross trailer weight of the tow item
(fully loaded weight) |
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Select
the class of hitch rated your your vehicle
(see chart below) |
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IMPORTANT:
Never tow a trailer heavier than the
rated tow capacity of your vehicle.
A higher "Class" of hitch does NOT increase the vehicles
towing capacity. |
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| Gross
Trailer Weight |
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GTW |
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Weight
of the trailer fully loaded |
| Tongue
Weight |
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TW |
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Weight
exerted by the trailer coupler on the hitch ball |
| Weight
Carrying |
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WC |
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Tow
rating capacity of a hitch without a WD system |
| Weight
Distributing |
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WD |
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Tow
rating capacity of a hitch when using a WD system |
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Compact
Cars
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Mid-Size
Cars
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Full
Size Cars, Mini-Trucks & Vans
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Full-Size
Trucks, Vans & SUVs
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Class
I
Weight Carrying
TW - Up to 200 lbs.
GTW - Up to 2,000 lbs. |
Light Duty
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Light Duty
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Light Duty
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Light Duty
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Class
II
Weight Carrying
WC TW - Up to 350 lbs.
WC GTW - Up to 3,500 lbs. |
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Medium Duty
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Medium Duty
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Medium Duty
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Class
III
Weight Carrying
TW - Up to 500 lbs.
GTW - Up to 5,000 lbs. |
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Heavy Duty
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Heavy Duty
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Class
IV
Weight Carrying
TW - Up to 750 lbs.
GTW - Up to 7,500 lbs.
Weight Distribuing
TW - Up to 1,200 lbs.
GTW - Up to 12,000 lbs.
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Heavy Duty
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Heavy Duty
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Class
V
Weight Carrying
TW - Up to 1,200 lbs.
GTW - Up to 12,000 lbs.
Weight Distribuing
TW - Up to 1,400 lbs.
GTW - Up to 14,000 lbs.
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Extra
Heavy Duty
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Selecting
the Proper Hitch Ball is a MUST for Safe, Troube-Free Towing
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The
hitch ball diameter(A) must be the same diameter as the trailer
coupler (1-7/8", 2", or 2-5/16")
The
shank diameter (B) of the hitch ball should be the same
as the hole diameter in the (correct) ball mount you
selected.
The
shank length (C) should be long enough to allow at
least two threads to be visible when the hitch ball
is installed and the nut completely tightened.
The
standard lift (D) refers to the height of the hitch
ball base. The lift raises the top of the ball height
above the draw bar.
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A.
Ball Diamter
B. Shank Diameter
C. Shank Length
D. Standard Lift |
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Always
use the properly rated hitch ball for your towing
system.
- Your
towing system’s maximum weight rating is always
equal to the lowest rated item in the system
- Your
hitching system cannot be upgraded to a rating higher
than the maximum rating of your hitch
For
example: a 3,500 lb. ball on a 2,000 lb. max trailer
weight rated hitch does not
increase your towing capacity to 3,500
lbs. Your hitching system is still rated at 2,000
lbs.
Conversely,
a 2,000 lb. ball on a 3,500 lb. max trailer weight
rated hitch decreases
your maximum towing capacity to 2,000 lbs.
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Selecting
the Right Ball Mount
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INCORRECT
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CORRECT
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Trailer
Not Level
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Trailer
Level
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For
safe, comfortable towing, the trailer should always
be set up to tow on a level plane.
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Sometimes
a trailer's tongue is higher or lower than the ball
mount on the vehicle, and a ball mount with a "rise"
or a "drop" is required to level the trailer.
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Ball
Mount Measurements
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Distance
from the center of the ball hole to the center of
the pin hole
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Distance
from the top of the shank to the top of the ball platform
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Distance
from the top of the shank to the top of the ball platform
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Measuring For the Proper Ball Mount
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For information
about a trailer hitch for your vehicle please phone (613) 596-9696
or toll-free (800) 558-5178 or click the link below and fill
out the Hitch Quote Request Form.
Request
a Quote
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Saturday, 22-Mar-2008 18:40:40 EDT
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