Tow Hitches - Pulling Power

Tow hitches connect your trailer to a truck or any other towing vehicle. Tow hitches can be of various types depending upon the amount of weight they can pull. You have the weight-carrying hitches, the weight-distributing hitches used along with a receiver hitch, the gooseneck hitch and the fifth wheel hitch.

Weight-carrying tow hitches can support the whole of the trailers tongue weight, while the weight-distributing tow hitch distributes this weight between the towing vehicle and the trailer axles. The fifth wheel hitches and gooseneck hitches raise the trailer connection point to the middle of the truck bed.

Tow hitches consist of three parts:
- The actual hitch
- A ball
- A ball mount
Trailer hitches can be grouped into classes I, II and III. Class I and II hitches are for lightweight loads, the class III hitch can carry heavier loads. The sizes of the balls depend on the weight to be carried.

The buying of tow hitches needs careful planning. Always follow the guidelines provided by the tow vehicle and trailer manufacturers. The proper working of the tow hitch also depends on having the right kind of towing vehicle.

Make sure that there are provisions to install safety chains in the tow hitch. If you install safety chains in tow hitches, see to it that while taking a turn, it loosens but not so much as to drag on the road. These chains should also cross under the trailer tongue to prevent the tongue from falling.