Six Terms You Need To Understand When You're Choosing A Trailer Hitch
Choosing the right trailer hitch can be confusing if you're doing it for the first time. You need to do your research and shop around so that you choose a hitch that can transport your trailer load safely and efficiently.
In order to evaluate various trailer hitches that are available, you need to understand some terminology. Knowing the vocab can help you to effectively question and negotiate with trailer equipment sellers.
The following are six terms you need to understand when you're choosing a trailer hitch to tow your trailer.
Gross trailer weight
The gross trailer weight is the total weight of the trailer after all of its cargo has been added. This weight should include the weight of any equipment that makes up part of the trailer like wheel chocks, straps, or cargo nets.
Knowing what your gross trailer weight is going to be generally is important in choosing the right trailer hitch. Various trailer hitches will have different gross trailer weight capacities. You need to choose a hitch that can accommodate the weights you'll be needing to tow.
Hitch class
The hitch class is a classification of hitches based on two factors: what gross trailer weight the hitch can handle and what their receiver opening size is. One of the first things you need to figure out when you're looking for a trailer hitch is which hitch class you're looking for.
Tongue weight capacity
One important weight to consider when it comes to hauling loads in a trailer is the tongue weight. The tongue weight is how much weight the trailer places downward directly beneath the tow vehicle directly on to the hitch.
Tongue weight will be a certain percentage of what the gross trailer weight is depending on the trailer's design. You need to be aware of what tongue weight capacity you need your hitch to have to choose the right hitch.
Towing package
The towing package simply refers to all the various components that make up the hitch. Components included in the towing package include not only the hitch, but also the coupler, trailer ball, ball mount, and adapters/extenders.
Hitch adapter
A hitch adapter is a device that will fit a hitch's receiver tube and adjust a hitch's opening to accommodate a trailer. You may need to have a hitch adapter available if you'll be towing numerous different trailers with varying receiver tube openings.
Hitch pin
The hitch pin is a minor part of the hitch setup, but it is important to ensuring that the hitch functions properly. The hitch pin is simply a device that helps lock the ball mount in place within the hitch tube.
For more ideas about your trailer hitch installation, check out places like Mann's Welding West Inc .
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