Hitches look alike in photos. The numbers are what make one right for your truck and your trailer.
- Receiver size. Most hitches use a 1-1/4 inch or a 2 inch square opening. Ball mounts, bike racks and cargo carriers are made for one size, so match them to the receiver you have or plan to buy.
- Class and weight rating. Hitches are rated by class, from light-duty Class I to heavy-duty Class V. Each one lists a maximum trailer weight and a maximum tongue weight. Use the lowest of three numbers: the hitch rating, the ball mount rating and your vehicle's towing limit in the owner's manual.
- Tongue weight. A loaded trailer usually puts about 10 to 15 percent of its weight on the hitch. Too little and the trailer can sway. Too much and the rear of the truck sags. A trailer jack makes it easy to set the tongue down level when you unhitch.
Then check the fit. A vehicle-specific hitch lists the years and models it bolts onto. Find your exact year, and check whether it needs drilling or a fascia trim.
Do not forget the lights. Most states require working brake and turn signal lights on a trailer. A hitch light or a wiring adapter that matches your vehicle's plug covers that.
Send us your year, make, model and what you plan to tow, and we will help you match the parts.