| When you are looking to tow a trailer, | | | | ideal for hitch adapters, cargo carriers |
| attach a cargo carrier or essentially | | | | or bike racks. |
| connect one vehicle to another, you'll | | | | Class II |
| find that you need to look for the right | | | | Class II hitch adaptors tend to be made |
| trailer hitch. After a brief | | | | for light towing duty, and as such, they |
| consultation, though, you'll realize | | | | will be rated at 3500 pounds GTW. As the |
| that trailer hitches come in a wide | | | | name implies, they can be used for Class |
| variety of classes and that each class | | | | I or Class II accessories, and thy will |
| is meant for a different function. When | | | | use a removable drawbar. Keep in mind |
| you are trying to find the right hitch | | | | that it will work with a Class I and II |
| for your situation, you'll find that | | | | hitch balls, but that a 2 and 5/16" |
| there are several different things that | | | | hitch ball will not work in this setup. |
| you need to keep in mind when it comes | | | | Class III |
| to what class is best for your purposes. | | | | Class III trailer hitches are also known |
| Remember that for the definitions below, | | | | as round receiver hitches and they will |
| GTW refers to gross trailer weight, | | | | be rated up to 6000 pounds GTW. There is |
| which is the weight of the trailer when | | | | usually a 2" by 2" receiver opening, and |
| fully loaded, not when it is sitting | | | | you'll find that these hitches tend to |
| empty. | | | | have the most options when you are |
| Class I | | | | looking at things like bike racks and |
| Class I trailer hitches are meant for | | | | cargo carriers. You'll also find that |
| the lightest towing duties. They tend to | | | | you'll be able to make sure that you can |
| be rated up to 2000 pounds GTW, and they | | | | simply carry more gear. When you are |
| tend to be fitted with a draw bar or a | | | | looking at Class III trailer hitches, |
| ball mount where the accessories will be | | | | you'll find that the ballmounts can be |
| attached to the hitch itself. You'll | | | | sold separate, and you'll find that |
| find that they will work with any class | | | | there are many available which can |
| I accessory and that they will usually | | | | ensure that your trailer rides level |
| use a 1/2" pin to secure the ball mount | | | | with the tow vehicle in question. |
| in place. A Class I trailer hitch is | | | | |