What Are Tow Hitch Classes? Complete Guide
Are you looking for different tow hitch classes to understand which one suits best for your vehicle? Most of the time, cars, trucks, and other vehicle owners may require a tow hitch to carry loads conveniently.
There are five classes of hitches for carrying unpowered vehicles and other loads, but what are the tow hitch classes? Tow hitch classes are the type of hitches that differentiate from each other based on the weight they can carry and the receiver size.
There are numerous benefits of tow hitch, but the most common one is that it helps transport oversized items such as other vehicles, equipment, and trailers.
As you read further, let me elaborate on tow hitch classes in this guide.
What Is A Tow Hitch?
A trailer or tow hitch is a gadget attached to the chassis of a truck or other vehicle to tow. The hitch’s design helps distribute the overall weight across the car, and the trailer helps move the towing smoothly.
What Are Tow Hitch Classes?
Tow hitch classes are the different types of tow hitch. Trailer hitches are divided into classes for the convenience of every individual to understand the difference between hitch based on receiver size, towing weight, and vehicle compatibility.
There are five different two hitch classes.
Class 1 Tow Hitch
Class 1 hitch is designed for crossovers, sedans, compact cars, and minivans. It has a 2,000 Ibs towing capacity with a standard 1-¼” or sometimes 2″ receiver size. Class 1 hitches are sometimes considered light-duty hitches.
It is suitable mainly for transporting small equipment such as jet skis, cargo trays, bike racks, and small tent campers.
Class 2 Tow Hitch
The class 2 hitches are a little hefty compared to the class 1 tow hitch. It can tow 3,500 lbs and has the same receiver size as a class 1 tow hitch, 1-¼” or 2″. The tongue weight of this weight-carrying trailer hitch is about 350 pounds.
Vehicles in this class 2 hitch also include crossovers, small SUVs, sedans, minivans, and pickup trucks. You can tow boats, small campers, bike racks, and jet skis by using the class 2 hitch.
Class 3 Tow Hitch
Another class of tow hitch is the class 3 trailer, which is more advanced than the class one and two hitches. It is constructed for carrying heavier weights.
With up to 5,000 pounds towing, there are 2″ receivers in class 3 hitches which you can easily convert into a 1 ¼” receiver using the adapters. And have a tongue weight of around 500 to 600 pounds.
Particular class 3 hitches have weight distribution beneficial when carrying more load so that the weight is distributed evenly. In contrast, others have both weight distribution and weight carrying; some are only weight-bearing class three hitches.
Through class 3 hitch, you can tow jet skis, medium-sized campers, utility trailers, bike racks, boats, cargo trays, and other loads.
Class 4 Tow Hitch
Class four tow hitch is built for handling and towing any non-commercial job. If a weight distribution system is added, it enhances the strength and stability of the class 4 hitch. It includes large-size campers, utility trailers, and full-size boat trailers and is not used for passenger cars.
A 1,000 or 1,200 tongue weight hitch is a class 4 hitch used for 12,000 towing maximum. Weight distribution is vital in class four hitch because it keeps the weight evenly and comes in 2″ and 2.5″ receivers.
Class 4 tow hitch best suits utility trailers, large trailers, toy haulers, large boats, small travel trailers, and more.
Class 5 Tow Hitch
The last class of hitch is class 5 tow hitch. It is different from other classes due to towing heavier weights. The tongue weight of these highest class hitches is around 1,200 or 1,700 pounds, along with towing of 20,000 pounds. It is designed for vans, pickup trucks, and large SUVs.
The receiver size of the class 5 hitch is 2″ or 2.5″, so you can buy either. Also, you can easily tow equipment haulers, large trailers, multi-car trailers, toy haulers, large boats, utility trailers, large travel trailers, and others.
What Is The Difference Between Class 3 And Class 1 Trailer Hitch?
The class 1 and class 3 trailer hitch differs in some ways. Class 1 has a towing capacity of 2,000 lbs and is used as the lightest-duty trailers, while the class 3 hitch has 5,000 pounds of towing. The receiver size of class 1 hitch is 1 ¼,” and class 3 has 2″.
What Is The Difference Between A Class 5 Hitch And A Class 4 Hitch?
The difference between the class 4 hitch and the class 5 hitch is that the Class 4 hitch has a maximum of 12,000 towing ability while the class 5 hitch is used for up to 2,000 towing. There is a difference in their tongue weight as well.
What Is The Difference Between Class 1 And Class 2 Hitch?
Class 1 and 2 hitches differ from each other in some aspects. Class 1 hitch is built for small vehicles with towing power of 2,000, while class 2 is heftier than class 1 and used for towing up to 3,500 lbs.
The Final Words:
In this guide, we explained the different tow hitch classes along with their differences from each other and their specific functions.
It’s advised not to use your vehicle’s wrong hitch when the right options are available. Although the tow hitch is not as crucial as the blind spot mirrors are, however when towing the trailer, the hitch is a must.
So before directly selecting a tow hitch class, it is essential to see your vehicle type and the amount of weight you want to transport.
For heaviest duty hitch is class 5 while class 1 is light duty hitch. All the tow hitch classes differ based on the weight they carry, the size of the receiver, and the presence or absence of weight distribution.