How to choose the right hitch for your car

Before hitching a trailer to your vehicle, you need to make sure that the correct trailer hitch is installed on the back of your vehicle or truck. The right trailer hitch is an absolute must for safe and reliable…

Before hitching a trailer to your vehicle, you need to make sure that the correct trailer hitch is installed on the back of your vehicle or truck. The correct trailer hitch is an absolute must for safe and secure trailer towing.

There are three main types of trailer hitches: carrier, weight distribution, and fifth wheel.

The cargo hitch is commonly used for cars, SUVs and small trucks. A weight distribution hitch is usually required for large trucks, while a fifth wheel is designed for the largest vehicles. However, if you're not sure which towbar is right for your vehicle, it's fairly easy to find out.

Part 1 of 4: Gather basic information about your vehicle and trailer

Step 1: Gather Basic Vehicle Information. When purchasing a trailer hitch, you need to know the make, model, and year of your vehicle, as well as the vehicle's maximum towing power.

• Functions: The maximum pulling force is indicated in the user manual.

Step 2: Gather Basic Trailer Information. You need to know the type of trailer you have, the size of the hitch socket and whether the trailer is equipped with safety chains.

You can find all this information in the trailer owner's manual.

• Functions: Not all trailers need safety chains, but most do.

Part 2 of 4: Determining Gross Trailer and Hitch Weights

Step 1: Determine Gross Trailer Weight. Gross trailer weight is simply the total weight of your trailer.

The best way to determine this weight is to take the trailer to the nearest weigh station. If there are no weighing stations nearby, you will have to find another place that has truck scales.

• Functions: When determining the gross weight of a trailer, you must always fill your trailer with the items you will be transporting in it. An empty trailer gives a very inaccurate idea of ​​how heavy it will be.

Step 2: Determine the tongue weight. Drawbar weight is a measure of the downward force that the drawbar will exert on the trailer hitch and ball.

Because the trailer's power is shared between the hitch and trailer tires, the weight of the drawbar is much less than the total weight of the trailer.

To determine the drawbar weight, simply place the drawbar on a standard household scale. If the weight is less than 300 pounds, then that is the weight of your tongue. However, if the force is greater than 300 pounds, then the scale will not be able to measure it, and you will have to measure the weight of the tongue in another way.

If so, place a brick the same thickness as the scale, four feet from the scale. Then place a small tube on top of the brick and another on top of the scale. Place a plank across the two pipes to create a platform. Finally, reset the scale so it reads zero and place the trailer hitch on the board. Read the number displayed on the bathroom scale, multiply it by three and that is the weight of the tongue.

• FunctionsNote: As with determining the total trailer weight, you should always measure the drawbar weight when the trailer is full, as usual.

Part 3 of 4: Compare Total Trailer Weight and Hitch Weight to Your Vehicle

Step 1. Find the Gross Trailer Weight and Hitch Weight in the Owner's Manual.. The Owner's Manual lists the Gross Trailer Weight and Rated Hitch Weight for your vehicle. These are the maximum values ​​that your vehicle can safely operate.

Step 2: Compare the scores with the measurements you took earlier. After measuring the total weight of the trailer and the weight of the trailer hitch, compare them with the characteristics of the vehicle.

If the number of measurements is lower than the rating, you can proceed to buy a trailer hitch.

If the numbers are higher than the estimates, you will either need to make the trailer easier to load or purchase a more durable vehicle.

Part 4 of 4: Find the right type of trailer hitch

Step 1: Match the total trailer weight and drawbar weight to the correct hitch.. Use the chart above to figure out which type of hitch is best for your vehicle based on the total trailer weight and drawbar weight you measured earlier.

It is very important to use the correct trailer hitch. Using the wrong drawbar is not safe and can easily cause a malfunction. If at any point you are not sure which hitch to use or how to install it, just have a trusted mechanic like AvtoTachki come and check your vehicle and trailer.