AUTOMOTIVE OUTFITTERS
TRAILER HITCHES
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Installations in Ottawa
When you need to tow, you need a trailer hitch you can trust. At Automotive Outfitters, we only sell the best trailer hitches, and for your convenience, we’ll even install it. Since we source only the best products, we can offer you a lifetime warranty on the purchase of any trailer hitch. We always torque hardware bolts to spec, so you can be sure and confident that we offer you a top-quality installation. Request a free quote today to get started.
Types of Receiver Hitches
The Best Trailer Hitch for Your Towing Needs
For general towing needs, a receiver hitch is the most popular option. Receiver hitches are divided into five classes, based on their receiver tube size and weight capacity range.
CLASS#1
Class 1 receiver hitches are generally designed for passenger cars and small crossovers. They are equipped with a 1 1/4″ x 1 1/4″ receiver tube opening or sometimes a fixed tongue to directly mount a trailer ball instead of a ball mount. Most class 1 hitches are rated to tow trailers up to 2,000 lbs. However, not all hitches are rated at the same capacity and no hitch ever increases the maximum weight a vehicle can tow.
CLASS#2
Class 2 trailer hitches are very similar to class 1 hitches, having a 1 1/4″ x 1 1/4″ receiver tube opening and being used for lightweight towing applications. The biggest difference between class 1 and class 2 is that most class 2 hitches are able to tow up to 3,500 lbs. gross trailer weight. These are typically found on full-size sedans, minivans and crossovers.
CLASS#3
The class 3 trailer hitch is the most common receiver hitch class installed on full-size pickup trucks and SUVs. If your full-size truck is equipped with a towing prep package, it probably has a class 3 hitch. Class 3 hitches are equipped with a 2″ x 2″ receiver tube opening and typically have a weight carrying capacity up to 8,000 lbs. gross trailer weight. In combination with a weight distribution system, these hitches can offer a gross trailer weight capacity up to 12,000 lbs.
CLASS#4
Class 4 trailer hitches are commonly mounted on full-size pickup trucks and SUVs. They feature a 2″ x 2″ receiver tube opening and generally have a weight carrying capacity up to 10,000 lbs. With a weight distribution system, the maximum towing capacity is increased to as much as 14,000 lbs.
CLASS#5
Class 5 trailer hitches have the highest weight ratings of the receiver hitch classes, offering as much as 20,000 lbs. GTW. Because class 5 hitches are built to handle such immense loads, adding a weight distribution hitch usually does little to increase the towing capacity. These are typically used on full-size pickups and commercial trucks with a 2″ x 2″ or 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ receiver tube opening.
Types of Receiver Hitches
The Best Trailer Hitch for Your Towing Needs
For general towing needs, a receiver hitch is the most popular option. Receiver hitches are divided into five classes, based on their receiver tube size and weight capacity range.
Weight Distribution Hitches
A weight distribution or weight distributing hitch is a receiver hitch attachment. It is designed to distribute the tongue weight of a trailer across all axles of the vehicle-trailer combination. These are typically used with class 3, 4 and 5 receiver hitches and use an adjustable shank to insert into the receiver tube opening like a ball mount. The most advanced weight distribution hitches also integrate trailer sway control.
5th Wheel Hitches
A 5th wheel hitch is a heavy-duty hitch that mounts into the bed of a pickup truck, usually over or just forward of the rear axle. These are similar in design to those used by commercial tractor-trailer rigs. They typically range in capacity from 16,000 up to 25,000 lbs. and are commonly used for towing large campers, travel trailers and car haulers.
Gooseneck Hitches
Like a 5th wheel hitch, a gooseneck hitch mounts into the bed of a pickup truck and usually places the trailer’s tongue weight slightly forward of a vehicle’s rear axle. They are designed to be less intrusive than 5th wheel hitches, allowing full access to the truck bed when the trailer is not hooked up. These are typically used for horse or livestock trailers, car haulers, large flatbeds and other commercial or industrial trailers. They are commonly rated to tow up to about 30,000 lbs. gross trailer weight.
Pintle Hitches
A pintle hitch is a simple but strong coupling mechanism, consisting of a pintle hook and a lunette eye. The pintle hook, mounted on the tow vehicle, latches onto the lunette eye attached to the trailer. Depending on the tow vehicle and specific model, pintle hitches can tow anywhere from 10,000 to 60,000 lbs. gross trailer weight.
Other Types of Receiver Hitches
Front & Rear Receiver Trailer Hitches
There are a few different receiver hitches that do not fit within the five classes of trailer hitches, here are the two most popular options. They’re useful in specialized applications and are widely used on vehicles today.
FRONT MOUNT HITCHES
A front mount hitch can be a useful addition to larger vehicles such as pickup trucks, full-size vans and SUVs. A front mount hitch allows you to free up your rear mount hitch for other types of towing. It can be used for launching a boat, parking a trailer in a tight spot, or to attach a snow plow, winch, spare tire mount or skid shield.
BUMPER HITCHES
A bumper hitch is a light-duty receiver hitch that bolts onto the vehicle’s bumper and provides a 2″ x 2″ receiver tube opening. It is important to note that because a bumper hitch attaches directly to the bumper, it is always limited to the weight carrying capacity of the bumper rather than the vehicle overall.
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