What are the different classes of trailer hitches

And work with smaller receiver diameters of 125 and 2. Class II hitches are also considered weight carrying hitches similar to Class I hitches but have the ability to handle more weight.

Class 2 hitches are quite different from class 3 hitches.

What are the different classes of trailer hitches. Class 2 hitches are quite different from class 3 hitches. Class 2 hitches have a. There are a total of 5 trailer hitch classes with Class I having the lowest capacity and Class V having the highest.

Hitch classes essentially designate the hitch opening size and weight capacity. Heres a quick breakdown of the 5 hitch classes their associated capacities and their typical receiver sizes. Class I hitches are perfect for smaller accessories or towing small trailers.

Examples of what you can usetow. Bike rack cargo trays small tent camper jet skis. 2 Class II Hitch.

Class II hitches are also considered weight carrying hitches similar to Class I hitches but have the ability to handle more weight. The class 3 trailer hitch is most commonly installed on full-size pickups and SUVs. Trailer Hitch Class Ratings.

There are five basic classes that trailer hitches are divided into based on how much weight they are rated to handle. Gross Trailer Weight TW. Tongue Weight Class 1.

GTW capacity and 200 lbs. GTW capacity and 300 to 350 lbs. A Class 1 trailer hitch can handle a gross trailer weight GTW of up to 2000 lbs and a maximum tongue weight of 200 lbs.

This type of hitch is often used on small cars pickups or vans for light-duty towing. A Class 2 trailer hitch can handle a GTW of up to 3500 lbs. And a maximum tongue weight of 300 lbs.

At nearly 3500 lbs you can hitch a smaller trailer or boat. Now we are into the heavy-duty section of the different hitch classes around. Hitch Class 3 puts your GTW up to a stunning 8000lbs which allow you to hitch fishing boats and larger trailers.

If you are in this class then you probably have a pretty rugged vehicle. Class II hitches are weight carrying WC hitches rated up to 3500 lbs. Gross trailer weight GTW with a 300 lbs.

Maximum trailer tongue weight TW A Class II hitch usually has a 1-14 square receiver opening. A higher class ball mount does not increase the towing capacity of the hitch. Available with two size openings 1 14 and 2.

Class I and II receiver style hitches can only be used for towing as a weight carrying hitch. Class III IV and V receiver style hitches can be used either as a weight carrying hitch or as a weight distributing hitch when a weight distribution system is added. Cass 1 hitches work well on cars like small sedans.

Class 1 hitches tow up to 2000 pounds or 907 kilograms. They can be used to pull a trailer that is 6 feet 18 meters long or a boat that is 14 feet 43 meters long. They are good for use on smaller cars such as small sedans sports cars and compact cars.

The weight ratings for these are based off of 5 class scale with 1 being the most light-duty and 5 being the most heavy-duty. Something that also varies with the rating of the hitches is the size of the receiver tube. The three primary sizes for the receiver tubes are 1 14 x 1 14 2 x 2 or 2 12 x 2 12.

Class II hitches are capable of taking loads of 3500 lbs. Of gross trailer weight. They can also handle a tongue weight of 300 lbs.

This class is therefore ideal for a camper motorcycle trailer snowmobile trailer or small boat trailers. The class II hitches are perfect for SUVs a full-sized pickup vehicle full-size vans and other large cars. Unsurprisingly Class 1 hitches are for lighter loads and Class 5s are for serious-business capacities.

In the United States hitches in classes 1 and 2 are suitable for loads no heavier than 3500 lbs. And work with smaller receiver diameters of 125 and 2. Class II Class II hitches are weight carrying WC hitches rated up to 3500 lbs.

Gross trailer weight GTW with a maximum trailer tongue weight TW of 300 lbs. A Class II hitch usually has a 1-14 square receiver opening. A higher class drawbar does not increase the towing capacity of the hitch.

You insert the trailers ball mount or another hitch-mount into the tube. Receivers are organized into classes based on the maximum weight they can handle. Ratings range from Class 1 which can carry weight up to 2000 pounds to Class 5 which carries a maximum of 12000 pounds.

Receiver hitches are generally grouped into three sizes and each of these corresponds to one or two towing capacity classes. Class I and Class II receiver hitches generally have 1-14 inch receivers and are suitable for pulling lighter loads up to 3500 pounds. Class III receiver hitches use 2 inch receivers and can handle medium duty towing.

There are five classes of regular-duty receiver-type trailer hitches graded from I one to V five in terms of load capacity and intended use. The capacity of the hitch is as important as the towing capacity of the vehicle itself. Light-Duty Receiver Hitches Commonly known as Class 1 Light-duty receiver hitches are designed typically for towing bike racks and cargo carriers.

This style of hitch can also be used to tow smaller utility or enclosed trailers and motorcycles as well. The maximum gross trailer weight should be less than 2000 lbs.