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hitch mounted
Selecting the Right Trailer Hitch
When you are looking to tow a trailer, attach a cargo carrier or essentially connect one vehicle to another, you'll find that you need to look for the right trailer hitch. After a brief consultation, though, you'll realize that trailer hitches come in a wide variety of classes and that each class is meant for a different function. When you are trying to find the right hitch for your situation, you'll find that there are several different things that you need to keep in mind when it comes to what class is best for your purposes. Remember that for the definitions below, GTW refers to gross trailer weight, which is the weight of the trailer when fully loaded, not when it is sitting empty.
Class I
Class I trailer hitches are meant for the lightest towing duties. They tend to be rated up to 2000 pounds GTW, and they tend to be fitted with a draw bar or a ball mount where the accessories will be attached to the hitch itself. You'll find that they will work with any class I accessory and that they will usually use a 1/2" pin to secure the ball mount in place. A Class I trailer hitch is ideal for hitch adapters, cargo carriers or bike racks.
Class II
Class II hitch adaptors tend to be made for light towing duty, and as such, they will be rated at 3500 pounds GTW. As the name implies, they can be used for Class I or Class II accessories, and thy will use a removable drawbar. Keep in mind that it will work with a Class I and II hitch balls, but that a 2 and 5/16" hitch ball will not work in this setup.
Class III
Class III trailer hitches are also known as round receiver hitches and they will be rated up to 6000 pounds GTW. There is usually a 2" by 2" receiver opening, and you'll find that these hitches tend to have the most options when you are looking at things like bike racks and cargo carriers. You'll also find that you'll be able to make sure that you can simply carry more gear. When you are looking at Class III trailer hitches, you'll find that the ballmounts can be sold separate, and you'll find that there are many available which can ensure that your trailer rides level with the tow vehicle in question.
Class IV
Class IV will more or less duplicate what has been said for Class III except that it will be rated for an impressive 12,000 pounds GTW and that it is mean to carry accessories that are Class III and below. Make sure that you get your trailer weighed appropriately, as overworking the trailer hitch can have disastrous consequences.
Class V
Class V trailer hitches have a system in place that is meant to handle up to 17,000 GW without a problem, and you'll find that a Class V trailer hitch is meant to take care of class III accessory as long as an adapter is in place. Ball mounts are frequently sold separately, and that this class of trailer hitch is designed for heavy duty trucks and vans.
About the Author
Jack Turney is an automotive nut and an editor for www.TrailerJunction.com, your source for a wide selection of new and
used trailers
, accessories, and parts.
Best bike rack for an 02 Elantra w/ spoiler?
I was looking to go truck mounted, but I don't know if I can with the stock spoiler on my car. Any ideas? Maybe I should go hitch mount?
Ask your local dealer,there are many...
Trailer Hitch Mounted Bike Rack Comparison - etrailer.com
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Racor B-1R Solo Vertical Bike Rack List Price: $21.00 Sale Price: $10.98 Used From: $14.00 |
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Hang and store one bike vertically with this wall-mount bike rack from Racor. Molded rubber hook guards protect the rim from scratching and gouging. The rack is equipped with an exclusive security loop that accepts cable locks for optimal theft-deterrence indoors and out... |
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Master Lock 2953AT 12-Volt DC Portable Winch List Price: $110.36 Sale Price: $56.99 |
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No need to buy a winch for each vehicle or trailer, this portable DC-powered unit mounts to any hitch or flat surface to haul in that boat, vehicle, trailer, and more! The winch can be temporary or permanently mounted to either a ball-mount hitch or a flat surface... |
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Curt Manufacturing 31010 Winch Mount Plate List Price: $144.54 Sale Price: $69.99 |
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Curt Manufacturing receiver tube winch mount for 2in. tube. U.S.A. Fits Jack Tube (in.): 2 |
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Allen Tension Bar Bicycle Cross-Bar Adaptor List Price: $19.99 Sale Price: $12.94 Used From: $31.99 |
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Made by Allen Bike Racks, this adaptor bar adds a top tube to your bicycle frame so that it can be installed properly on a bicycle carrier. It's designed to be used with hard-to-mount bike frames, such as full-suspension bikes, women's bikes, or other non-conventional designs... |
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Allen Deluxe 3-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (1.25 or 2-Inch Receiver) List Price: $149.99 Sale Price: $69.97 |
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Carry your bicycles as securely as possible and avoid the hassles of piled bikes or high threshold rooftop mounts, with the Allen Deluxe 3-Bike Hitch Mount Rack. Fitting vehicles with a 1.25 or 2-inch trailer hitch, the Allen Deluxe Hitch Mount Rack is both easy to operate and super secure for your bikes... |
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Allen Deluxe 3-Bike Trunk Mount Rack List Price: $89.99 Sale Price: $39.54 |
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Fits sedans, hatchbacks, minions & SUV's, arms with tie downs |
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iBall Wireless Trailer Hitch Camera List Price: $139.99 Sale Price: $119.00 Used From: $99.00 |
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iBall Magnetic Wireless Submergible Camera with Cigarette Lighter Port Powered Monitor for Trailer Hitch. This Camera is going to make backing-up to connect ball and hitch very easy. No more getting out of the vehicle to check if you are lined-up... |
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Swift Hitch SH01 Portable Wireless Camera System List Price: $289.00 Sale Price: $199.00 |
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This is the unit you have been waiting for! The magnetic mounted camera is moveable from RV to boat to Trailer, etc as needed and will allow you to see anything that is within its field of view. Also very handy for monitoring events, parties and any other situation that requires you to "keep a watch" out... |
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Master Lock 4843DATSEN Vehicle Back Up and Hitch Alignment Camera with 3.5 Inch Color Monitor List Price: $263.74 Sale Price: $133.15 Used From: $134.95 |
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For "eyes in the back of your head"! Master Lock Back - up and Alignment Camera System, SAVE TODAY! Another set of eyes for parking, hitching up a trailer, plowing snow... any reverse action! It never hurts to get a better look and helps avoid accidents and damage... |
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Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier $134.99 Hitch Mounted DesignQuick Install500 lb. Distributed Load CapacityDurable Black Powder Coated FinishPre-Punched Holes For Tie-Down StrapsFits Standard 2 in. Receiver Hitch |
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Bully Hitch Mounted Tube Step $56.53 Bully Hitch Steps & Hitch Covers in stock now! Read Bully Hitch Mounted Tube Step customer reviews. AutoAccessoriesGarage.com has the best selection of Bully Towing & Hitches at the lowest prices around. Bully Hitch Mounted Tube Step are chosen by auto enthusiasts everywhere to personalize their vehicles. Bully Hitch Mounted Tube Step available now at AutoAccessoriesGarage. |
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Bully Hitch Mounted Step CR-600 $56.53 Bully Hitch Steps & Hitch Covers in stock now! Read Bully Hitch Mounted Step CR-600 customer reviews. AutoAccessoriesGarage.com has the best selection of Bully Towing & Hitches at the lowest prices around. Bully Hitch Mounted Step CR-600 are chosen by auto enthusiasts everywhere to personalize their vehicles. Bully Hitch Mounted Tube Step available now at AutoAccessoriesGarage. |
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Bully Hitch Mounted Step CR-600L $61.34 Bully Hitch Steps & Hitch Covers in stock now! Read Bully Hitch Mounted Step CR-600L customer reviews. AutoAccessoriesGarage.com has the best selection of Bully Towing & Hitches at the lowest prices around. Bully Hitch Mounted Step CR-600L are chosen by auto enthusiasts everywhere to personalize their vehicles. Bully Hitch Mounted Tube Step available now at AutoAccessoriesGarage. |
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Bully Hitch Mounted Step CR-605 $57.14 Bully Hitch Steps & Hitch Covers in stock now! Read Bully Hitch Mounted Step CR-605 customer reviews. AutoAccessoriesGarage.com has the best selection of Bully Towing & Hitches at the lowest prices around. Bully Hitch Mounted Step CR-605 are chosen by auto enthusiasts everywhere to personalize their vehicles. Bully Hitch Mounted Tube Step available now at AutoAccessoriesGarage. |
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Bully Hitch Mounted Step CR-605L $62.58 Bully Hitch Steps & Hitch Covers in stock now! Read Bully Hitch Mounted Step CR-605L customer reviews. AutoAccessoriesGarage.com has the best selection of Bully Towing & Hitches at the lowest prices around. Bully Hitch Mounted Step CR-605L are chosen by auto enthusiasts everywhere to personalize their vehicles. Bully Hitch Mounted Tube Step available now at AutoAccessoriesGarage. |
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Surco Standard Hitch Mounted Bike Rack $121.89 Surco Hitch Mount Bike Racks in stock now! Read Surco Standard Hitch Mounted Bike Rack customer reviews. AutoAccessoriesGarage.com has the best selection of Surco Bike Racks at the lowest prices around. Surco Standard Hitch Mounted Bike Rack are chosen by auto enthusiasts everywhere to personalize their vehicles. Surco Standard Hitch Mounted Bike Rack available now at AutoAccessoriesGarage. |
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Hitch $4.99 Hitch |
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Side Bars for Lund Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier by Lund $46.99 Side bars for Lund hitch mounted cargo carrier #601010 for Jeep |
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Hitch-Haul Rv Bumper Mounted Double Bike Carrier Hcdbm $91.53 Hitch-Haul Rv Bumper Mounted Double Bike Carrier Hcdbm |
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Bike Carrier Hoops for Lund Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier by Lund $29.99 Set of 3;Bike carrier Hoops for Lund hitch mounted cargo carrier #601010 for Jeep |
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Bully Hitch Steps - Hitch Mounted Step For Standard 2 Inch Receivers (Chrome) [Universal - Fits all Trucks / SUVs] $45.23 "This hitch mounted utility step allows you to gain easy access to luggage racks, truck beds or SUV interiors." |
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Bully Hitch Steps - Hitch Mounted Step w/ Red L.E.D. (Chrome) [Universal - Fits all Trucks / SUVs] $49.06 "This hitch mounted utility step allows you to gain easy access to luggage racks, truck beds or SUV interiors." |
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Receiver Hitch $78.95 Moose Racing Receiver Hitch 2" receiver hitches are frame mounted with a long lasting powder coat finish Provides ground engaging and heavy towing capabilities **Note: Rancher 420, Brute Force 650i/750i and all Sportsman's must have independent suspension |
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Trailer Hitch $249.95 Khrome Werks Trailer Hitch Bumper trailer hitch for the 2009 Harley baggers that have rear fender rail/bumper and/or fender filler strips Will fit FLTR and FLHRC models leaving a gap between the chrome bumper and the rear fender Upper hitch brackets mount to the inside frame/fender struts and the lower brackets anchor to the saddlebag supports No unsightly black painted brackets mounted outside the factory chrome fender strut covers No interference with Genuine Harley-Davidson accessories such as docking kits for sissy bars, racks and tour boxes Main frame is made from .125 1020 wall steel tubing, robotic welded, polished and chrome plated Includes 1-7/8” ball Mounts with factory hardware |
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Hitch Step Bully Hitch Step CR-600L $79.23 BULLY HITCH MOUNTED STEP, STEEL, CHROME, SOLD INDIVIDUALLY -- Made of tubular steel; Features built-in red LED light strip which acts as an additional brake light; Designed with black plastic step pad; Allows you to gain easy access to luggage racks, truck beds, or SUV interiors; Fits all standard 2 in. hitch receivers.. Auto Parts Warehouse has extensive Bully Hitch Step catalogs.We are now offering FREE shipping on all Bully Hitch Step orders over $50.00. Our secure bully hitch step catalog is available every hour of everyday. Shop with confidence for all your bully hitch step needs. Bully Hitch Step are In Stock and available today. Save up to 60% off dealer price on your next Bully Hitch Step purchase. Our online catalog contains a wide selection of the OEM and aftermarket parts you need at unbeatable prices |
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Bully Hitch Steps - Hitch Mounted Cowboy Two Step For 2 Inch Ball [Universal - Fits all Trucks / SUVs] $40.27 Convenient hitch mounted step allows you to get up and down from your truck bed easily with your tailgate opened or closed. Telescopes in and out for easy operation. Mounts with an 8 Inch shaft length. |
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Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier by Lund $112.99 Will fit into any standard 2" receiver;Black powder coat;20" x 60";Has a distributed load capacity of 500 pounds for Jeep |
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Pilot Hitch Steps - Bully [Universal - All Vehicles] $84.8 "This Hitch Mounted Utility Step Allows You to Gain Easy Access to Luggage Racks, Truck Beds or SUV Interiors. It Fits All Standard 2� Hitch Receivers." |
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Rear Tube Bumper with Frame Mounted Hitch by Rugged Ridge™ $353.98 1955-86 CJ7 and CJ5;Gloss black powder coat;Smooth ground welds;Welded end caps;17" rear opening for use up to 31" tire;Comes with seperate 2" receiver hitch;2000 lb towing weight 200 lb tongue weight capacity;Five year warranty on paint |
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PortablePet Twistep for SUV's #3052 - hitch mounted SUV pet step utility step + FREE Hitch Lock $249.95 TWISTEP is the best way to provide a quick step up into your vehicle for your canine companion. ** Limited time offer: FREE Hitch Lock Included (a $24.95 savings) TWISTEP installs in your Hitch Receiver, always ready to help – unlike a ramp or other step setup that you need to unload to use and then pack away again after use.- Veterinarian Endorsed - helps reduce stress from jumping in and out of vehicles- Great Alternative to Ramps - Stores under the bumper rather that inside the vehicle - Unique single-handed operation - Simple Operation - Push in, Push down, and Twist! - Easy to Install – Simple Assembly with all tools provided - Multiple Uses – It’s a Dog Step, It’s a Convenient Platform, It’s a place to sit Type: Pet Step Color: Black Color Mapping: Black Dog Age: Senior Breed Size: Works for All Sizes |
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Street Hitch $207.89 Street Hitch; |


US $89.95























