The Different Types of Trailer Hitches

When shopping for a trailer hitch, there are several things to consider before making your purchase.  The first, and most important, things to consider are the total towing capacity of your vehicle and the total weight of the trailer you intend to haul.  When looking at different hitches, it is a good idea to choose one that can accommodate more than your current tow load.  This allows some room for growth in case you decide to upgrade your boat or purchase another motorcycle.  There a few main hitch styles to choose from depending on your needs.  The following are just a few of the most popular, all of which are carried by Shadow Trailers at www.trailerandtruckparts.com. 

These hitches are constructed of an attractive and durable polished aluminum.  These hitches typically feature an anti-rattle ball system that is designed to eliminate noise and reduce the wear and tear that can occur inside the trailer hitch receiver.  The self-locking hitch safely secures the trailer with a spring-loaded ball mount located within the hitch.  When looking at the different self-locking aluminum hitches available, check for their load capacity to determine which one will best meet your needs.

Adjustable trailer hitches offer a little more flexibility and compatibility.  These hitches can be moved up and down to accommodate different vehicles or trailers.  The adjustable hitch also typically comes with two different sized ball mounts.  The hitch can simply be flipped over to the expose the required size.  If you are going to be towing different sized loads or are using several different vehicles to haul trailers, an adjustable hitch is a good way to go. 

 

If you are pulling a load that is more than 50% of the weight of your car, such as a camper or trailer, then you may require the need for a weight distribution hitch to safely get the job done.  These hitches use spring bars to distribute the weight and leverage your pulling system.  This takes some of the pressure off the tail end of your car, creating a safer way to pull heavy loads.

There are several important factors to consider when looking for a trailer hitch.  These three hitches are some of the most common options and may be suitable depending on your needs.  Consider the size and load of what you will be towing, as well as, the towing capacity of your vehicle.  Defining these things will give you a better indication of what kind of hitch you need.