Choosing A Hitch For Your Trailer

If you want to tow your trailer, you will need a hitch. This important piece of the towing unit affects the efficiency and safety of the hauling experience. Getting the right hitch makes all the difference, but it can be hard knowing what option is right for you.

Here at Mountain West Trailers, we strive to make your life easier. That's why we created this beginner's guide to choosing a trailer hitch. If you have any questions or want to explore trailers for sale in Utah, visit our dealership. We are based in Heber City, Utah, and proudly serve those in Salt Lake City (SLC) as well.

Start With The Hitch Weight Rating

A great place to begin is looking at the hitch's weight limit. This number usually relates to the trailer's maximum carrying weight. If the trailer's maximum weight is 2,000 lbs. for example, then the maximum tongue weight limit would be around 20 lbs.

It's possible to upgrade the hitch and get a higher weight limit. But remember that the trailer's weight limit is fixed. It's important to know the weight limits so you can avoid accidentally overloading the trailer or the hitch.

Factor In Tongue Weight

Next, it's important to look at the tongue weight. Tongue weight tells you the amount of downward force that goes from the tongue onto the hitch. This figure helps you know how much stress the hitch can handle. 

Typically, about 10% of the trailer weight will rest with the tongue weight. This set up helps lead to a more stable towing experience, but it can rule out some hitch options. Make sure you get a hitch that is fully capable of handling the tongue weight.

Check The Tow Vehicle's Limits

Don't forget about the tow vehicle! It has a weight limit as well. It's unsafe and illegal to exceed this limit.

Remember that the towing capacity includes the weight of the trailer, the parts of the towing unit, cargo, and any passengers. You don't want to pick a hitch that's too heavy and drastically limits how much cargo you can carry. 

Consider The Ball Attachment

When choosing a hitch, it's also important to select the right ball attachment. The main consideration here is finding the right size.

There are four standard sizes, which apply to different types of towing. The light-duty option is for 2,000 - 3,500 lbs gross trailer weight (GTW). The medium-duty option is for 3,500 - 12,000 lbs GTW. The heavy-duty option is for 6,000 - 30,000 lbs GTW. The gooseneck option is for any GTW over 30,000 lbs. Know that a gooseneck ball will need a different type of hitch, which creates an overlap between the trailer and the tow vehicle.

Check The Final Trailer Weight

It's important to double check that your loaded trailer is within the weight limits of the tow vehicle, the hitch, and the trailer. Exceeding any of these limits can result in expensive damage or even an unsafe situation on the road!

Once you get the trailer fully loaded, head over to a weigh station or vehicle scale. Situate the trailer so that its entire weight is on the scale. Make sure the final trailer weight is within all the limits, which sets you up for a successful and safe towing experience.

We hope you found this guide helpful! If you want to shop trailers for sale in Utah, head over to our dealership. Our friendly staff can go over the model options and help you select the best match. We are a trailer dealer based in Heber City, Utah. We also serve those in Salt Lake City (SLC), Utah.