Most vehicles can have a hitch installed, and many trucks and SUVs come with some type of hitch installed from the factory. There are five classes of trailer hitches, and the receiver hitch is one of the most common. Hitch receiver classes are broken up based on weight capacity. Of the five classes, the Class 3 hitch is the most common and can handle most towing duties.

What Is a Receiver Hitch?

Receiver hitches are the most common type of trailer hitch. These hitches are often called bumper pull hitches or hitch receivers. This type of hitch comes in the form of a tube on the rear of a vehicle where towing accessories can be attached. Most vehicles can have a receiver hitch installed. You can tow up to 20,000 pounds with the right receiver hitch and setup.

The receiver hitch is the most popular because it allows you to use a variety of towing accessories and can be used to tow even the smallest trailers or large trailers depending on the class. It doesn't usually require any modifications or adapters. Receiver hitches come in five weight classes.

Receiver Hitch Classes

Unless you need to haul something like a large RV, livestock trailer, or flat deck trailer, the best hitch for your needs is most likely a receiver hitch. Gooseneck hitches and fifth-wheel hitches are only necessary for the largest tow items. However, receiver hitches come in five weight classes, so you'll also need to decide which one is best for what you want to tow.

Class 1 Hitches

The lightest duty hitch is the Class 1 hitch. This type of hitch is usually ideal for small cars and crossovers. The receiver is a 1 1/4-inch square tube, the maximum tongue weight is 200 pounds, and the trailer weight limit is 2,000 pounds. This is the type of hitch you would use to attach a bike rack or small utility trailer.

Class 2 Hitches

Class 2 hitches also have a 1 1/4-inch receiver tube, but these hitches have a higher weight rating versus a Class 1 hitch. A Class 2 hitch is typically rated for up to 3,500 pounds of trailer weight and 350 pounds of tongue weight. Items that can be towed with this class of hitch include small utility trailers, small boats, or a small pop-up travel trailer.

Class 3 Hitches

The Class 3 trailer hitch is the most popular size of the five classes. These hitches can be used on SUVs, minivans, crossovers, and pickup trucks. The Class 3 hitch has a 2-inch receiver tube and can handle a maximum tongue weight of 800 pounds. The gross trailer weight for a Class 3 hitch is up to 8,000 pounds, which covers a wide variety of common tow items like travel trailers, boats, and small car haulers.

Class 4 Hitches

The Class 4 hitch is more restrictive in terms of the type of vehicle it can be installed on. These hitches are generally reserved for full-size trucks and SUVs that can pull up to 10,000 pounds. The Class 4 hitch has a maximum tongue weight of 1,000 pounds.

Class 5 Hitches

The Class 5 hitch can take a maximum trailer weight of 17,000 pounds and a maximum tongue weight of 2,550 pounds. Only a few passenger models on the market can tow this much, and it's limited to heavy-duty trucks of the 3/4 ton and one-ton variety.

How To Measure Hitch Receiver Size

If you currently have a hitch receiver installed on your vehicle but don't know what size it is, you'll need to measure it. Simply measure the inside of the square opening. The possible sizes of your hitch will be 1 1/4 inches, 2 inches, 2.5 inches, or possibly 3 inches.

Most SUVs and trucks that come with hitches already installed have two-inch or 2.5-inch receivers. Some larger trucks have a three-inch receiver, but this is most common on Ford models.

If you need to choose a hitch receiver size, the first thing you'll need to know is how much your vehicle can tow. For example, if your vehicle can only tow up to 2,000 pounds, then you'll want to install a Class 1 hitch.

What Can You Tow With a Class 3 Hitch?

As previously mentioned, the Class 3 receiver hitch is the most common and popular hitch to install on a wide variety of vehicles. These hitches can tow between 3,500 and 8,000 pounds and have tongue weights between 350 and 800 pounds.

Not all Class 3 hitches are rated for the same amount of weight, so you'll need to check closely for the weight rating that you want. It's usually best to start with what your vehicle is capable of towing.

Class 3 hitches attach to your vehicle's frame and have two-inch receivers, which makes them tougher than Class 2 and Class 1 hitches. You can use the Class 3 hitch to tow a wide variety of items like boats, campers, and trailers. You can also mount cargo carriers or bike racks on these hitches.

How To Install a Trailer Hitch Receiver

Installing a receiver hitch isn't terribly complicated for the average DIY mechanic. All Enthuze hitches include installation guides on the individual product pages. Your vehicle may come with pre-drilled holes for your hitch mount, but if it doesn't, you'll need to drill these according to your instructions.

Once your holes are ready to go, you can attach the hitch by lifting it into position. Use C-clamps to attach the hitch to your frame and then tighten the bolts just enough to hold it in place.

Once everything is in the right position, you'll need to torque the bolts according to your instructions. The last step is to attach any wiring harness that's necessary for brake lights and turn signals.

If you don't have the time or DIY expertise, you can't go wrong with a professional installation. You can get Enthuze receiver hitches installed at any Action Car and Truck Accessories location as well as any local car dealer or accessory shop throughout Canada.

Rely on Enthuze for a wide variety of quality truck accessories, including Class 3 receiver hitches. Our trailer hitches are designed for a custom fit for your exact make and model, so make sure to enter your vehicle information to find the right hitch for you. All Enthuze products are tested rigorously in-house before adding the Enthuze name.

Related posts: How to Install a Trailer Hitch | What is a Class 3 Trailer Hitch?