Pickup Trucks 101: Know Your Hitch Types

There are many trailer types on the market today, and with that comes a variety of hitching systems. The hitching systems for trailers can be divided into two categories: bumper-pull hitches and in-bed hitches. To achieve better overall stability and tow heavier loads, bed-mounted hitches are the best choice. For those towing smaller trailers or who have SUVs and are unable to tow a gooseneck or fifth-wheel trailer, then bumper pull is your only option.

Bumper-Pull Hitches

When towing with a bumper-pull hitch, standard guidelines recommend that 10 percent of the total trailer weight not be exceeded on the trailer tongue. This is a good rule regardless of the type of bumper-pull hitch being used.

Fixed Ball Mount

Fixed ball mounts are generally the cheapest and most common type of hitch available. They are connected to conventional receivers and come in a variety of fixed heights. They are available in almost any drop or rise needed, but the most common are straight 2-inch, 4-inch and 6-inch drop/rise hitches. Weight ratings range from a few thousand pounds to more than 20,000 pounds; every hitch should be identified with its weight rating. Generally, they are equipped with a removable hitch ball, but there are versions with three different size hitch balls and a tow hook for added versatility. They usually are made of steel, but aluminum versions can be found.

Adjustable Ball Mount

These are some of the most versatile hitches on the market. They are a great option for those who tow multiple trailers. Many have two or three different hitch ball sizes on them, and they can be adjusted to keep the trailer level (i.e., safer). While useful for single axle trailers, an adjustable height hitch is especially beneficial on multi-axle trailers for towing safety and longevity of trailer tires. Both steel and aluminum versions are available. Some of them have built-in locks, tongue weight scales and anti-rattle features. Like fixed ball mounts, adjustable ball mounts are available in many sizes, but are most commonly found in the 4-to-10-inch drop/rise range. They are also available in weight ratings from a few thousand pounds to more than 20,000 pounds. While their cost is significantly more than fixed ball mounts, their versatility is often worth the extra money.

Pintle Hook

Pintle hitches can either be a fixed height or adjustable. They are typically used in heavy-duty applications and by the military. The trailer side of the pintle hitch connection is an eyelet. The tow vehicle side is a hook that closes, creating a second eyelet. This forms a strong connection and when one of the loops is installed in a manner that allows it to rotate, it makes for a great connection for off-road vehicles because of its strength and flexibility. The major downside to pintle hitches is that they are generally a loose connection; this can create a lot of noise.

Weight-Distribution Hitches

Weight-distribution hitches use conventional bumper-pull connections but have added components to redistribute a good portion of the load to the front axle of a tow vehicle from the rear bumper. This improves handling, braking and overall driving dynamics when towing. Many weight-distribution hitches also provide sway control, which helps keep the trailer in line with the tow vehicle. This is especially useful in windy conditions and for passing, or when being passed by tractor trailers. They are most useful on trailers that are easily affected by wind, like travel trailers, or for light-duty pickups and SUVs towing near their limits.

Chain-Style Hitch

Chain-style weight-distribution hitches are generally the least expensive. Most chain-style hitches have arms, but some do not. For chain-style hitches with arms, the arms have chains attached to the end of them that connect to the trailer. This makes adjusting the amount of weight distribution easier, as the placement of the chain on the trailer can be adjusted to the application. As you might imagine, chain-style hitches provide little to no sway control.

Rigid-Bracket Hitch

There are a variety of weight-distribution hitches that use rigid brackets, but they mostly work in a similar fashion, using solid arms that rest on brackets attached to the trailer frame. The arms can be round bars with tapered ends, square bars with tapered ends or straight square bars. Depending on the hitch, adjustments are made in the hitch head, to the sockets that the arms slide into and/or on the brackets attached to the trailer. These hitches vary greatly in the amount of sway they can handle and the way sway is controlled. Some are active systems that use friction at all times to reduce sway, while others are reactive and only respond once sway hits a specific point.

Bed-Mounted Hitches

For bed-mounted systems, standard guidelines recommend that up to 20 percent of the total trailer weight can be placed on the trailer tongue, which is located in the bed over the rear axle.

Fifth-Wheel

These are most commonly used on large recreational camping trailers, but they are available for a variety of other trailer types as well. They connect a truck to a trailer via a connection in the bed of the truck. The major benefit of using a fifth-wheel is its moves a significant part of the weight from the rear bumper to the rear axle. While there are some fifth-wheel trailers designed to be towed behind a half-ton pickup, three-quarter-ton or one-ton pickups with long beds create the best and most stable towing experience. The trailer has a kingpin on it that slides into the jaws of the fifth-wheel hitch. The jaws are then locked closed, securing the trailer to the truck via the hitch frame to the truck frame. In many states, this is the only hitch style that does not require safety chains to be used. There are two major downsides to using a fifth-wheel hitch. First, fifth-wheel hitches take up a significant amount of space in the truck bed, leaving little room for storage. Second, they are heavy and cumbersome, making them difficult to remove when not in use.

Gooseneck

Gooseneck hitches are most often used on heavy-duty work trailers. The highest tow ratings available on pickup trucks are achieved using a gooseneck hitch, mostly because they are easy to use. The truck side of a gooseneck hitch is a simple hitch ball that is installed in the truck bed, located in a cross-member between the frame rails. Many trucks now come equipped with gooseneck/fifth-wheel attachment points built into the truck frame from the factory. They take up little room in the bed and are easy to remove if you need a completely flat floor for a load. Gooseneck connections aren’t quite as stable as fifth-wheel hitches for highway towing, but they are better for rough, uneven terrain, as the hitch ball provides more flexibility in off-camber situations.

In Summary

We’ve covered the most common, readily available hitch types. Yes, you can find others, but these are the ones that meet the needs of most folks who tow. When choosing a trailer hitch, it’s crucial to consider the type of trailer being used and the vehicle towing it.

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