There are a variety of types of trailer hitches. They all have their own advantages based on what is being carried or towed. Most passenger vehicles use standard type receiver hitches
Trailer Hitch Types:
Receiver Hitches:
Receiver hitches are by far the most common type of hitch. They are nearly standard on every pickup truck and are getting more and more common on SUVs. In addition some regular passenger vehicle can be equipped with light duty receiver hitches for things like bike racks or other light weight accessories. Some passenger vehicles can also do some light trailer towing, but care must be taken not to overload what the vehicle is capable of, check with your dealer or owners manual for more information on what your make, model, and year is rated for.
There are 5 ratings for receiver hitches. Starting with the light duty class 1 and going up to the heavier duty class 5. The key behind knowing what class you need is knowing what the heaviest item you plan to tow will be. Ensure that you do not exceed what your vehicle can safely tow.
Gooseneck Hitches:
The gooseneck hitch can be a great platform for the heaviest types of towing done with pickup trucks. Being similar to 5th wheel hitches in that they are installed in the bed of the truck. These hitches are located just forward of the rear axles. They are placed in this area to distribute the heavier loads weight more equally between the rear and front axle. Having the weight evenly distributed increases the vehicle’s tow rating and can improve the steering and handling characteristics. One of the major advantages of the gooseneck hitch is that they can be installed so they take up nearly no space in the truck bed. This means when you are not towing, you have full use of the space. Some models of gooseneck hitch can even be equipped with 5th wheel hitch attachments. This means it can do double duty for both work and play.
Front Mount Hitches:
The front mounted hitch can be a life saver when installed on pickup trucks, full-size vans, or SUVs. Many times these vehicles are doing work towing the trailers or boats behind them and have no room for cargo carrying hitch accessories. Adding a front mounted hitch gives you a place to put your cargo while having the rear hitch ready for action in towing. The front hitch can also be used to help accurately park a trailer in a tight spot or launch a boat. No looking over your shoulder or watching your back up camera when the boat is right in front of you.
5th Wheel Hitches:
The 5th wheel hitches are heavy duty type hitches that mount just forward of the rear axle like the gooseneck hitch. They are similar in design to the hitches used in 18 wheeler towing rigs, just on a smaller scale. Capacity for these hitches usually fall between 16,000 and 25,000 pounds. These hitches are popular for the towing of travel trailers, large campers, and car haulers. These hitches are unique in the fact that the locking mechanism is part of the vehicle mounted equipment, not the trailer or tow item’s design.
Types Of 5th Wheel Hitches
Single & Double Pivot
Your 5th wheel hitch is what takes the brunt of the bumps and bangs as you drive down the road with your trailer in tow. For vehicles that will always be on fairly even surfaces a single pivot is typically sufficient for 5th wheel trailers. However for vehicles that tow their trailers off road or into areas that have uneven ground a double pivot allows for a degree of tilt along the other axis. This makes it so the trailer head can shift both up and down, and from side to side.
Crossbed Vs. Slider
There are typically two ways to buy most trucks, a standard and long bed truck. Long bed trucks have sufficient space for the 5th wheel hitch to be installed to avoid the trailer ever getting close the cab of the truck. However in short bed or standard bed trucks having the ability to slide the 5th wheel hitch further back increases maneuverability. Short bed trucks are any truck that has a bed that is 6’5” or shorter. For these trucks it is invaluable to be able to move the hitch point further back to allow better control and tighter turning radiuses.
Pintle Hitches:
The pintle hitch is a strong but simple coupling mechanism. It features a lunette eye and a pintle hook. The pintle hook is mounted to the vehicle that will be doing the towing and any trailers or equipment that will need to be towed have the lunette eye installed. Depending on which pintle hitch is installed, and the exact capabilities for the tow vehicle the gross trailer weight ratings can vary anywhere from 10,000 to 60,000 pounds. The simplicity of the hitch is one of the things that makes it so popular. It is heavy duty but does not require climbing into the bed of the truck.
Benefits Of Pintle Hitches
For frequent switching of heavy equipment the pintle hitch can be a time saver. This hitch is designed to be released and re-coupled quickly. This makes a quick trip to down in the truck as easy as parking the trailer and releasing the hitch. When you come back and are ready to start towing the trailer again, hook it back up quick with a pintle hitch.
Trailer Hitches Mesa AZ
If you have just bought a new vehicle, or you have bought a new toy you need tow Cliff’s Welding, Inc. has the parts and knowledge to help you choose the right hitch for your vehicle and get it installed. We help with the wiring as well to make your towing a trouble free experience and help meet all DOT laws on safe towing. Give us a call at (480) 832-0570 or stop by today so we can help you get your hitch needs handled.
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1 Comment
Jen Pack 8 years ago
My husband and I have been doing a lot of driving lately, and it has caused me to realize how many people are hauling different things every day. I imagine that the hitch has got to be a very important part of that process, so it’s interesting to learn the different types of hitches. It’s interesting how you point out that gooseneck hitches can be one of the best options for the heavier types of towing done with pickup trucks. It’s also really cool that it doesn’t take up so much room in the truck. I’ll be sure to keep this in mind if I’m ever in a situation that requires me to need a hitch.