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We recommend you stay below 10% of the maximum towing capacity to account for miscalculations and shifting loads. Using the right trailer hitch is crucial to safe towing.
Trailer hitches are organized by classes, with each class rated to indicate it's maximum towing weight capacity and tongue weight. A tow hitch with a class 3 hitch rating, for example, has a towing capacity that’s higher than a class 1 hitch.
As a general rule, as you go up in receiver class number, the higher the weight capacity and the larger the tow hitch receiver sizes (aka tube openings) are. You may need a wider receiver tube opening to use bigger mounts for larger trailer ball sizes and the type of trailer you’re towing.
There are many different types of hitches and hitch classes used for towing a trailer. In this guide, we will walk through the 5 hitch classes, comparing weight ratings, features and more. We'll also look at some other hitch types, such as 5th wheel, gooseneck and pintle.
GVWR helps determine your truck’s towing capacity because a vehicle can only tow as much as it is rated for. According to Curt Manufacturing, GVWR is simply “the maximum weight capacity of a vehicle without a trailer attached.”
The hitch receiver and all other components in the towing chain should be rated to tow the maximum amount of weight the tow vehicle itself is rated to tow, but if it the receiver is rated for a higher amount of weight it does not increase the tow vehicle vehicle’s maximum capacity.
It’s vital to understand the difference between payload and towing capacity to know what your truck can (and cannot) tow. No truck model has a single payload or towing capacity. Those numbers change based on the engine, transmission, drive wheels, and optional equipment you choose.
To find your vehicle’s payload, you add up the weight of all your passengers, cargo, and equipment (including your trailer hitch). Tongue weight is also factored into your payload, since the weight of your trailer’s tongue presses down on the back end of the tow vehicle.
Knowing the towing capacity of a vehicle is critical when choosing which model will work best for your hauling needs as well as determining what you will be able to haul with your current...
A regular-duty receiver hitch can tow up to 3,500 lbs. and has a tongue weight of 350 lbs. Tow vehicles which usually have a Class 2 type of hitch receiver installed include midsize cars, minivans, small pickup trucks, and midsize SUV's.