What type of hitch do I need? Picking the right size towing hitch can be tricky. Follow these steps to ensure you pick the right towing hitch the first time! 

Step One: Determine your hitch receiver size.

Hitch receivers come in various sizes depending on the towing strength capabilities of the system (Class I, II, III, IV, V). To determine your receiver size, measure the inside of the receiver opening from edge to edge as seen in the example to the right.

Step Two: Determine your receiver drop or rise length.

Ball mount towing hitches can often be found with various drop or rise lengths and can also be found with fully adjustable versions. This difference in drop or rise is needed to compensate for the difference in height between the hitch receiver of the vehicle and the trailer coupler. To determine what size drop or rise towing hitch is needed, subtract the coupler height from the receiver height as seen in the description to the right.

**IMPORTANT** For adjustable length ball mount towing hitches, please ensure that there is enough ground clearance from the bottom of the adjustable length hitch and the level ground, both with and without a towing load. This will help prevent your hitch from damage due to bottoming out over dips, speed bumps, railroad crossings, etc.

Step Three: Determine your ball size.

The ball sizes for ball mount towing hitches come in three standard sizes: 1-7/8”, 2”, & 2-5/16”

Ball mount towing hitches can come in various configurations such as single ball, combination ball (or dual ball), and tri ball as see in the images above. To determine what ball size you will need, simply match the standard sizes to the measurements of the coupler of the trailer. Most manufacturers will stamp or label the correct trailer ball size on the coupler.

Step Four: Determine your load capacity 

Lastly, determine the maximum operating load capacity of your towing system. Always ensure that you do not exceed the maximum Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) or the maximum Tongue Weight (TW) designed by the manufacturers of your towing system.

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