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How To Choose The Right Hidden Hitch Trailer Hitch For You

When trying to determine the right trailer hitch for you there are 4 key areas that you need to focus on, they are:

1. You need to understand the basic information about your towing vehicle and you need to know a few facts about the trailer or vehicle you intend to tow
2. Then you need to determine the towing capacities of your vehicle
3. Lastly, you need to determine the best type of trailer hitch for you and your needs

1. Basic Information You Need To Tow

To begin the process of choosing the right hidden hitch for you, you need to know the basic information about each of the bullet points listed below.

Info you need to know about your towing vehicle:

• Make and model
• Model year
• Passenger or station wagon, truck or van
• Two or four doors
• Manual or automatic transmission
• Your vehicle's maximum towing capacity

Info you need to know about the vehicle you plan on towing:

• Trailer / vehicle type
• Gross trailer weight
• Tongue weight
• Coupler socket size
• Does the trailer already have safety chains
• Where you plan to tow and under what geographic conditions

2. Determine The Towing Capacities Of Your Vehicle

The two most important factors in selecting the right hidden hitch for you are gross trailer weight (GTW) and tongue weight (TW).

In the previous step, we determined some basic information about our tow vehicle and trailer. Specifically, you need to determine the Gross trailer weight of the trailer. The Gross trailer weight is the weight of the trailer fully loaded in its actual towing condition. GTW is measured by placing the fully loaded trailer on a vehicle scale.

Tongue weight (TW) is the downward force exerted on the hitch ball by the trailer coupler. In most cases, it is about 10 to 15 percent of GTW. TW of up to 300 lbs. can be measured on a household scale by resting the trailer coupler on the scale and placing the scale on a box so that the coupler is at its normal towing height. The trailer must be fully loaded and level.

3. Locate The Best Hidden Hitch For Your Needs

Weight-carrying trailer hitches are generally used for lightweight trailers up to 3,500 lbs. GTW and 300 lbs. TW. Certain vehicles such as pickups, vans and utility vehicles with built-in extra cargo capacity can use weight-carrying trailer hitches for higher loads. Weight-carrying trailer hitches support the trailer tongue weight (TW), just as though it were luggage located at the hitch ball.

There are two basic styles of weight carrying trailer hitches:

• Fixed Drawbar - The ball platform is a permanent member welded to the trailer hitch.
• Removable Drawbar - The ball platform is removable. In Classes I and II trailer hitches, it's called a drawbar, and in Class III and IV hitches, it's called a utility ball mount.

When you put all of the elements detailed above, you are well on your way to determining the best trailer hitch that will fit your needs.

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