Before shopping, you must know how much weight your vehicle can safely pull.
Buying a trailer hitch is a systematic process of matching your vehicle’s capabilities with your towing needs. To ensure safety and a proper fit, follow this guide based on current industry standards and expert advice from CURT Manufacturing and AutoZone . 1. Determine Your Vehicle's Towing Capacity 🚗 how to buy a trailer hitch
A hitch receiver alone isn't enough; you'll need a few more pieces to complete the system: Before shopping, you must know how much weight
📌 If you frequently tow different trailers with different heights, consider an adjustable ball mount to avoid buying multiple fixed mounts. Hitch Class Receiver Size Max Towing (GTW) Common
Hitches are categorized into classes based on their weight-carrying capacity and receiver tube size. Hitch Class Receiver Size Max Towing (GTW) Common Vehicles Typical Uses Up to 2,000 lbs Compact cars Bike racks, jet skis Class II Up to 3,500 lbs Sedans, Crossovers Small utility trailers Class III Up to 8,000 lbs SUVs, Pickup trucks Campers, mid-size boats Class IV Up to 10,000 lbs Full-size trucks Large RVs, car haulers Class V 2-1/2" or 3" Up to 20,000+ lbs Heavy-duty pickups Horse trailers, heavy equipment 4. Select Necessary Accessories ⚙️
You have two main paths for getting the hitch onto your vehicle:
The total weight of the trailer plus everything loaded on it.