Tips to Select the Best Trailer Hitch for Your Vehicle

So you’re thinking about carrying a bit more weight on your road trips, eh? Well, you’re going to need a trailer hitch! But with all the different types and sizes out there, how do you know which one is right for your vehicle? Never fear, here are a few tips to help you select the best trailer hitch for your needs.

1. Look up your vehicle’s towing capacity

The first thing you need to do is look up your vehicle’s towing capacity. This will give you a good starting point for choosing a hitch. If your vehicle has a low towing capacity, then you’ll want to choose a lighter hitch. But if your vehicle can tow a lot of weight, then you can go with a heavier duty hitch.

2: Select a hitch class

Once you know your vehicle’s towing capacity, you can start narrowing down your hitch options by class. There are four main classes of hitches, each with a different weight limit.

Class I hitches are the lightest duty and have a weight limit of 2,000 pounds. These are typically used for smaller trailers, such as pop-up campers or utility trailers.

Class II hitches are medium duty and have a weight limit of 3,500 pounds. These are good for larger trailers, such as travel trailers or boat trailers.

Class III hitches are heavy duty and have a weight limit of 5,000 pounds. These are best for large trailers, such as fifth wheel trailers or gooseneck trailers.

Class IV hitches are the heaviest duty and have a weight limit of 10,000 pounds. These are typically used for commercial purposes or for towing very large trailers.

Class V hitches have the maximum weight capacity of around 20,000 lbs GTW and they are only found on 1-Ton Trucks & Flatbeds.

If you’re not sure which class of hitch you need, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and go with a heavier duty hitch. That way, you’ll know for sure that your hitch can handle the weight of your trailer.

3. Vehicle Athletics

Some people also like to consider how a hitch will look on their vehicle when choosing which one to buy. If you’re someone who cares about aesthetics, then you might want to choose a hitch that matches the finish of your vehicle. For example, if you have a chrome bumper, then you might want to get a chrome hitch. Or if you have a black car, then you might want to get a black hitch. It’s all up to personal preference!

4. Choose the right size hitch receiver

The next thing you need to do is choose the right size hitch receiver. Hitch receivers come in two sizes: 1-1/4 inches and 2 inches. The size you need will depend on the size of your trailer’s tongue. If you’re not sure, err on the side of caution and go with a 2-inch receiver.

5. Best Hitches by Vehicle Type

There are different hitches for different types of vehicles. So, if you’re looking for the best hitch for your car, SUV, or truck, here are a few suggestions.

Best car hitch: The best hitch for a car is typically going to be a Class I hitch. These hitches are designed for smaller vehicles and have a weight limit of 2,000 pounds. If you’re looking for a hitch for your car, we suggest the Class I Hitch. It’s easy to install, has a clean look, and is very affordable.

Best SUV hitch: The best hitch for an SUV is going to be a Class II or Class III hitch. These hitches are designed for larger vehicles and have a weight limit of 3,500 pounds or 5,000 pounds, respectively. If you’re looking for a hitch for your SUV, we suggest the Class III Hitch. It’s simple to install and is made to last, even with the most massive trailers.

Best crossover hitch: The best hitch for a crossover is typically going to be a Class I or Class II hitch. These hitches are designed for smaller vehicles and have a weight limit of 2,000 pounds or 10,000 pounds, respectively. If you’re looking for a hitch for your crossover, we suggest the Class II Hitch. Some crossovers can tow a trailer, but others should only be used to carry lighter items like bike racks or cargo carrier.

Best van hitch: If you’re just looking to attach a cargo or bike carrier, a class 2 or class 3 hitch will suffice. However, if you’re planning on towing a trailer, you’ll need a more robust hitch – a class 4 or class 5. Full-size vans, meanwhile, can typically handle the extra weight of a trailer without issue, so a class 2 or class 3 hitch should be plenty. 

Best Jeep hitch: The best hitch for a Jeep is a class 3 receiver hitch. This hitch provides a standard 2-inch x 2-inch receiver, making it versatile and adaptable to whatever you’re looking to tow. Plus, it has a high weight rating, so you can rest assured that your toys will make it to your destination safely. So whether you’re looking to tow a trailer or simply want the peace of mind that comes with having a hitch, make sure you choose a class 3 receiver hitch for your Jeep.

Best SUV hitch: There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing an SUV hitch. First, you need to decide what class of hitch you need. Class 2 hitches are typically used for smaller SUVs with lower towing capacities, while Class 3, 4 and 5 hitches are designed for larger SUVs. Once you’ve determined the class of hitch you need, you’ll need to choose a hitch that’s specifically designed for your vehicle. This is important because it will ensure that your hitch matches the vehicle’s towing capacity. Finally, you’ll need to decide on the features that are important to you. Ultimately, the best SUV hitch is the one that meets your specific needs.

Best truck hitch: First, consider the type of trailer you’ll be towed. If you’re planning on bumper pull trailers, then a custom receiver hitch is your best bet. However, if you’re towing a fifth wheel trailer, then you’ll need a different type of hitch. Second, you’ll want to consider the class of hitch. Truck hitches are available in class 3, class 4 and class 5 options. Class 3 hitches are typically best for light-duty towing, while class 5 hitches are designed for heavy-duty towing. Third, when selecting a truck hitch, be sure to choose one that’s compatible with your year, make and model of truck.

	Class 1	Class 2	Class 3	Class 4	Class 5
Compact Cars	Compatible
Sedans	Compatible	Compatible
Crossovers	Compatible	Compatible	Compatible
Minivans		Compatible	Compatible
1/4-Ton Trucks & SUVs		Compatible	Compatible
1/2-Ton Trucks & SUVs			Compatible	Compatible	Compatible
3/4-Ton Trucks			Compatible	Compatible	Compatible
1-Ton Trucks & Flatbeds			Compatible	Compatible	Compatible