Receiver Hitches | U-Haul (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between a hitch and a receiver? ›

The hitch receiver will have an opening at the rear of the vehicle allowing the user to slide in a trailer hitch which can then be used to connect a trailer. The trailer hitch is the piece that actually allows the connection of the trailer to the vehicle.

Class 3: If you drive a crossover, van, SUV or truck, you likely have a Class 3 hitch. Class 3 hitches have 2-inch receiver sizes, and have a GTW capacity of up to 8,000 lbs. and a TW capacity up to 800 lbs. They also have a WD capacity of up to 12,000 lbs. and WDTW capacity of up to 1,200 lbs.

The difference between the two is that Class 1 receivers can tow a maximum of 2,000 lbs. whereas the Class 2 receiver can tow up to 3,500 lbs.

Installing a trailer hitch is a relatively easy automotive job. A typical tow hitch installation may involve some of the following steps: removing the spare tire, lowering the exhaust, removing existing vehicle hardware, lifting the hitch into position and torqueing the hitch hardware to the correct values.

You'll want to consider your vehicle's towing capacity, hitch class, tongue weight and other elements to choose the best hitch for your needs.

All hitches shall be frame attached (no bumper hitches permitted).

Hitch classes are separated by their maximum weight capacity rating and receiver opening size. Classes range from I to V, and each class has its own unique capacity and applications. To find: Read the label on your hitch, or measure the size of the opening.

A vertical hitch, or straight hitch, is the most basic hitch used to directly connect a load to a lifting device. On a vertical hitch, the eye of a single chain sling, wire rope sling, or synthetic sling is connected to the crane or hoist hook, while the other eye is connected to an attachment point on the load.

Can you put a 2 inch hitch on a car? ›

Most passenger cars, SUVs and light pickup trucks will take a 1.25" or 2" receiver trailer hitch depending on the weight capacity you are looking to tow. These sizes are best for light-duty and medium trailers. Things to consider are accessories like a bike rack or cargo carrier.

Class IV hitches used for weight distributing are rated up to 14,000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 1400 lbs. A Class IV hitch usually has a 2″ square receiver opening. A higher class drawbar does not increase the towing capacity of the hitch.

The class 5 commercial hitch is capable of towing up to a robust 20,000 lbs. and can handle a tongue weight capacity of 2,700 lbs., making it capable of towing virtually any heavy-duty coupler styled trailer.

A class 3 hitch enables you to tow a wide variety of trailers, allowing you to pursue your passion -- camping, hunting, fishing, motorsports and more.

Class III hitches attach to the vehicle frame only. Class V hitches used as weight carrying are rated ​up to 12,000 lbs. gross trailer weight​(GTW) with a ​1200 lbs. maximum trailer tongue weight​(TW).

There has to be a little wiggle room in your hitch receiver in order to get a tow bar or ball mount to slide into and out of it. When everything's brand new there isn't a lot of free play, but over just a short period of time on the road, metal-on-metal contact will start to widen that distance.

A hitch receiver tube is a metal tube that mounts to the frame of a vehicle. It is used to attach a hitch-mounted accessory, such as a ball mount. Hitch receiver tubes are available in a variety of sizes and styles to accommodate different types of hitch-mounted accessories.

All you need to use a tow bar that fits a 2-inch hitch receiver in a 3-inch hitch receiver is use the Buyers Products Receiver Adapter # 337RTA302. This will reduce the receiver opening size on your trailer hitch from 3 inches to 2 inches so that you can use any tow bar with a 2-inch shank.

The three basic types of trailer hitches are receiver hitches, 5th wheel hitches, and gooseneck hitches. Receiver hitches are the most common and broken up into five different classes based on maximum weight. 5th wheel hitches and gooseneck hitches are heavy-duty hitches that attach into the bed of trucks.