Receiver Hitches

Receiver hitches or bumper hitches are towing components that allow users to attach other towing accessories, such as a ball mount, to the vehicle’s underside rear. There are many different types of trailer hitches, the most common being receiver hitches. They can carry up to 20,000 pounds and come equipped with a tube for various accessories. Within the category of bumper receiver hitches, there are five different classes of hitches, each based on their towing capacity and receiver tube size. As the class number increases, so do the towing capacities and receiver tube sizes. Depending on your vehicle and purposes for towing, the appropriate receiver hitch class for you will vary.

Class 1 Receiver Hitches: Small but Mighty
Out of all the receiver hitch sizes, this class of trailer hitches is the smallest. Class 1 hitches contain a receiver tube opening that ranges from 1”- ¼”. They might come equipped with a fixed tongue mounted to a trailer ball, or they’re simply mounted to a regular ball mount. These bumper receiver hitches typically work well with smaller passenger cars and crossovers. Sometimes they have a fixed tongue directly mounted to a trailer ball instead of a ball mount. The vast majority of Class 1 trailer hitches can safely tow up to 2,000 pounds. However, every hitch is individual, and towing capacities can vary. Whatever your towing needs are, there are many reputable, high-quality Class 1 trailer hitches to explore!

Class 2 Receiver Hitches for Lightweight Towing
The next category of hitches is Class 2 hitches, but they’re certainly not second-class. Like Class 1 hitches, Class 2 trailer hitches have receiver tube openings that usually range from 1-1/4″ x 1-1/4″. They commonly reside on full-size sedans, minivans, and crossovers, and sometimes small SUVs or pickup trucks. This class of bumper hitches is best for lightweight towing. Most class 2 hitches can handle up to 3,500 pounds of trailer weight.

What Is a Class 3 Receiver Hitch?
This middle-of-the-road rear mount hitch class is commonly found on full-size pickup trucks and SUVs. Most Class 3 hitches come with a 2″ x 2″ receiver tube opening and a towing capacity of up to 8,000 lbs. Many Class 3 hitches work well in tandem with a weight distribution hitch. Out of all of the receiver hitches out there, Class 3 hitches are the most versatile. They allow you to work with a variety of trailer types and load sizes.

What About Class 4 Receiver Hitches?
Class 4 trailer hitches most often serve full-size pickup trucks and SUVs. Their receiver tube openings are 2″ x 2″ and possess a capacity to carry approximately 10,000 pounds. They may be able to carry up to 12,000 pounds with certain weight distribution hitches.

Last But Not Least: Class 5 Trailer Hitches.
This class of trailer hitches is certainly not the least of them. Whereas Class 4 hitches only work with 2” receivers, Class 5 trailer hitches work with receivers between 2”-1.5”. Class 5 trailer hitches have the highest weight ratings out of any of the other receiver hitch classes. This is why they most often thrive on full-size pickups and commercial trucks.

Overall, this class of hitches is rated to carry loads as high as 20,000 pounds. So, if you want your heavy-duty trailers to do some heavy lifting, a Class 5 bumper hitch is the choice for you!

If upon learning of these different receiver hitch classes, you find yourself wondering, “What class receiver hitch do I need,” you can check the label located on your hitch. Another option is to take into account trailer hitch dimensions and calculations of your vehicle’s towing capacity. This will allow you to decipher which of the receiver hitch sizes will work for your vehicle and trailer. With a little research and some smart shopping, you’ll be well on your way to equipping your vehicle with the most effective towing essentials!