The Correct Towing Products For Your Truck Or Jeep

As with any add-on or modification to your truck or Jeep, you need to make sure you choose the correct products. Towing is no exception. A truck trailer hitch is a valuable investment. The right truck or Jeep towing products will allow you to attach a trailer and bring your equipment anywhere. Safety is incredibly important; you will potentially haul a considerable amount of weight. When towing, there is a second center of mass behind your truck and it can swing out, making control difficult. It is important to know the different types of truck and Jeep trailer hitches so you understand how they can benefit you.

There are several different styles of truck trailer hitches available. The light duty option is a bumper hitch. As the name suggests, it attaches to a reinforced bumper. It is limited to 1,000 pounds. The next option, which is more heavy-duty, is a receiver hitch. This style truck or Jeep hitch is bolted onto the structure of the vehicle, allowing it to tow more weight. You want to be sure that the hitch has correct clearance around the frame and bumper. The ball mount is removable. Next is a weight-distributing hitch. This truck trailer hitch will equalize the load by distributing the tongue weight evenly to the truck and trailer axles. This hitch allows you to tow over 5,000 pounds. Gooseneck or 5th wheel truck hitches mount in the bed of the truck. They are made for heavy-duty applications and will be customized for your specific towing needs and attached to the frame at least two inches in front of the rear axle centerline. Finally, although we do not recommend using them under any circumstances, clamp-on bumper hitches are available. They temporarily attach to your truck or Jeep, but can cause serious damage if they fail.

Several companies offer high quality aftermarket truck towing products. When looking through the truck and Jeep towing parts for hitches you will want to know the names of different classifications. These include:

Class 1

These are light-duty hitches designed for towing bike racks, cargo carriers, motorcycles and small utility trailers. The maximum weight that can be towed is 2,000 pounds. The max weight also depends on the vehicle towing capacity. Class 1 truck hitches are equipped with a 1 1/4" x 1 1/4" receiver tube. Sometimes they have a fixed tongue to directly mount a trailer ball instead of a ball mount.

Class 2

These are regular-duty truck or Jeep hitches. They can tow up to 3,500 pounds and hold a tongue weight of 350 pounds. Items at this class include small boats, ATVs and cargo trailers. You want to be sure that your transmission can handle towing the higher weight. Sometimes a transmission cooler is necessary. Class 2 hitches attach to the frame of the truck or Jeep.

Class 3

These are heavy-duty hitches and attach to the frame of the truck. They are considered ”undercar" hitches. Class 3 hitches can tow up to 7,500 pounds. If your full-sized truck or Jeep is equipped with a towing package it is likely Class 3.

Class 4

These truck hitches are available for full-sized trucks. They allow you to tow 17,000 lbs gross trailer weight and 1,700 lbs tongue weight. Items towed might include travel trailers, vehicles, machinery, and larger boats.

5th Wheel

These are also known as gooseneck truck hitches and are specifically designed for full-sized trucks and flatbed trucks. They have up to 30,000 pounds of towing capacity. The 5th wheel hitches mount in the bed of your truck and have a plate attachment similar to a semi truck.

Now that you understand the different hitch options available, you can determine Review tow/recovery the right truck towing parts for your needs. Once your truck trailer hitch has been attached you want to check the mounting bolts and connectors before every tow to ensure they are secure and functioning properly. At Tufftruckparts.com, we offer a variety of high quality truck towing products. Contact us today if you have any questions or want help choosing the correct towing products for your truck or Jeep at TuffTruckparts.com.