Towing a trailer behind your vehicle requires a particular set of driving skills and -- just as important -- the proper towing equipment. When installing a hitch, you'll need to determine what type is suited to your vehicle and which is adequate for the type of load you'll be pulling. Trisha Hessinger, host of DIY Car Care and Repair, discusses the five classes of hitches available for consumer vehicles and the towing capacities for each. Important Terms: When specifying the towing capacity for a particular class of hitch, guidelines will typically refer to two separate measurements: - The gross trailer-weight is the weight of the trailer fully loaded -- i.e., the combined weight of the trailer and the contents it will be carrying.
- The tongue weight refers to the downward pressure applied directly to the hitch by the weight of the trailer. In general, the maximum tongue-weight for a hitch is 10 percent of the maximum gross trailer-weight.
Class 1 hitches (figure A) are light/regular-duty trailer-hitches suitable for most sizes of vehicles including smaller and compact cars. Towing capacity for this class of hitch is up to 2,000 pounds. Maximum tongue weight is 200 pounds. This class of hitch should be restricted to use with smaller trailers such as a cargo carrier of less than six feet in length, or a boat trailer of no more than 14 feet. These hitches are available either with a permanently affixed draw-bar (or tongue) or in the "sport frame" style, which has a removable draw-bar that inserts into a permanently mounted receiver. Some models attach to the bumper; others attach to both the bumper and the frame. Class 2 hitches (figure B) are medium- to heavy-duty hitches suitable for midsize and larger vehicles, including minivans; this class is not recommended for use with compact cars. These hitches can safely pull a cargo trailer up to 12 feet in length or a boat trailer up to 20 feet. They attach to the vehicle frame and usually incorporate a receiver and a removable draw-bar. Towing capacity for this class is up to 3,500 pounds. Maximum tongue weight is 300 to 500 pounds. Class 3 are heavy-duty hitches suitable for trucks, vans, SUVs and minivans. They incorporate heavier mounting hardware (figure C) and utilize an under-car receiver attached to the vehicle's frame. Hitches in this class can safely pull an automobile-transport or a boat trailer up to 24 feet in length (figure D). Towing capacity ranges from 3,500 to 5,000 pounds, depending on the style of hitch and the application. Tongue weight ranges between 300 and 500 pounds. The towing capacity as well as the tongue weight can be increased even beyond these limits if the hitch incorporates a weight-distribution system -- a mounting arrangement that distributes weight directly to the frame and transfers the weight to all of the wheels. A weight-distribution system is safer and better for heavy-duty towing because it improves handling in the tow vehicle and allows the vehicle to handle heavier loads without sagging in the rear. Class 4 hitches (figure E) can tow up to 7,500 pounds, and a Class 5 up to 14,000 pounds. Both utilize weight-distributing mounting brackets (figure F) to transfer the weight to all of the vehicle's wheels. Class 5 utilizes the heaviest hardware -- generally a welded single body. These hitches are designed for use with full-size trucks and vans and are often used with three-quarter-ton and one-ton trucks for commercial towing. They are designed to handle very large loads such as large horse-trailers, enclosed car-trailers, boat-trailers of more than 24 feet in length, large campers, etc. If you plan to do any serious towing and handling of extremely heavy loads, you may want to consider using a gooseneck trailer or fifth-wheel. Many experienced towers find that these setups offer better control. - Tip: Recreational-vehicle dealers are a reliable source for information on heavy-duty towing as well as various towing options and accessories.
- Important: Know the towing capability of your vehicle. Check your owner's manual before installing a hitch to make sure that the hitch is compatible with your vehicle and that your vehicle is able to safely pull the amount of weight you intend to tow. When you purchase a hitch, it should also come with a manual that will contain important safety information and specific instructions on installation.
Click here to download a PDF illustration showing the different classes of trailer hitches.
Illustrations may be viewed by using Adobe Reader®
RESOURCES :
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Trouble-Free Car Care
Author: Dan Ramsey
ISBN: 0028635833
Alpha Books
Auto Repair for Dummies
Author: Deanna Sclar
ISBN: 0764550896
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