The right hitch needs to fit your vehicle in more ways than one. Not only do you need to consider the kind of trailer you’re pulling and the attachments it needs, you also want to keep in mind your vehicle’s tow rating and the reputation of the hitch manufacturer. Not all automotive parts are created equal, and a hitch that stands up to the weather and the work is worth a lot more than you pay for it.
Top Hitch Brands Across All Vehicles
A quick look at the most widely available hitch brands across online retailers easily shows who the most common names are, but understanding how they stack up is another matter. When you cross availability and reviews to find the brands that vehicle owners like best, the list gets just a little bit shorter.
• CURT
• REESE Towpower
• Towsmart
• Weigh Safe
• Draw-Tite
Each of these manufacturers produces a selection of hitches that cover most weight categories, sizes, and types of hitch. That makes it easier to find options like a three-in-one adjustable ball hitch for your Ford F150 because it means they’re anticipating sales to a wide range of vehicles.
While the most widely adopted trailer hitches are easy to rank, the list that is best for your vehicle might not look the same. Some specialty manufacturers serve specific manufacturers or even models of vehicle, and that means your best Volvo XC60 trailer hitch might not come from one of the big five listed above. It’s important to read through reviews and to consider niche manufacturers, especially if you are putting a hitch on a vehicle with a low tow rating or a unique design.
Top Low-Weight Hitch Options
If you are adding a trailer hitch to a sedan or a similar small vehicle with a tow rating at or below 2,000 lbs., you are looking for a class 1 hitch. That’s typically an inch-and-a-quarter-sized ball-shaped attachment capable of handling a tongue weight that is no greater than 200 lbs. It works for people who are towing small trailers, like the ones you might rent when moving apartments.
Mid-Weight Hitch Classes
Classes two and three are the mid-weight choices. Class two hitches can handle up to 3,500 lbs, which is the weight of many small camper trailers and single-animal livestock trailers. They’re designed to work for most larger cars like station wagons, as well as small and mid-sized crossovers, minivans, and small SUVs.
Class three hitches move up a ball size, relying on a two-inch ball to safely pull trailers up to 8,000 lbs. These are the common hitch class for mid-sized SUVs, small pickup trucks, and full-sized vans. This class is the most likely choice for a Jeep Wrangler JK trailer hitch, for example.
Heavy-Duty Hitch Classes
The top two hitch classes are aimed at trucks. Class four is for large SUVs and standard pickup trucks, with a top tow rating of 10,000 lbs. It’s the common 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe trailer hitch choice for a lot of owners converting to an off-road build. Class five hitches come in two types, standard and commercial, and reach up to a 20,000 lb. maximum capacity.
With these hitch classes in mind, it should be a lot easier to find the right trailer hitch for your vehicle. Start your search today.