Trailer Hitch Class - Different Towing Capacities

The expression 'trailer hitch class' indicates the towing capacities of different trailer hitches. The towing capacity of a hitch should ideally match the towing capacity of the tow-vehicle. Moreover, the tongue load also contributes to determining the trailer hitch class. For optimum hitch performance the trailer tongue load of the vehicle should be around 10% of the loaded trailer weight if it happens to be a weight-carrying trailer hitch and 12% in case of a weight-distributing or equalizer trailer hitch.

Based on these criteria, a brief description of every trailer hitch class follows:

Class I Hitches - Fitted with smaller cars and minivans, this lightest class of trailers has a carrying capacity of up to 2000 lbs., and a maximum tongue weight of 200 pounds. Design-wise the Class I hitches are usually simple. They are like the drawbar-type hitch, step bumper-type hitch or at the most a crossbar hitch that has a small square receiver. These hitches are used for light-duty towing like carrying bike racks.

Class II Hitches - A Class II trailer hitch can take loads (GTW) of up to 3500 lbs. The tongue weight will have to be about 300 lbs. Used with SUVs, larger cars and vans; they can tow motorcycle, small boat and snowmobile trailers.

Class III Hitches - This trailer hitch class can carry gross trailer weight of about 5000 lbs and used for general towing purposes. Being weight-carrying hitches, the tongue weight cannot exceed 500 lbs. A Class III trailer hitch has a 2-inch rectangular or tubular receiver.

Class IV Hitches - Mostly Equalizer hitches, they can carry a maximum of 10000 lbs. of load. The tongue weight has to be something between 1000 to 1200 lbs.

Class V Hitches - With extra heavy-duty towing capacity (GTW exceeding 10000 lbs. and tongue weight more than 1200 lbs.), these weight-distributing hitches have up to a 2 and 1/2 inch reciever with a 3/4-inch pinhole.

5th Wheel and gooseneck hitches - Used with larger vehicles such as trucks, to enhance their towing capacity, the Fifth wheel and gooseneck hitches are mounted on the vehicle-bed and undertake real heavy towing.

The best thing about trailer hitches is that they generally offer universal-fit and that irrespective of Trailer hitch class.