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A trailer hitch comes in handy when you least expect it.
It can be used to haul trailers, but you can also attach other useful accessories, such as bike racks.
The best trailer hitch needs to fulfill your needs. It also needs to be versatile enough to provide you with the best value for your money. Let’s check out the best trailer hitches and what they can do!
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Trailer Hitch
- OUR TOP PICK: CURT 45036
- CURT 45900
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: CURT 45056
Table of Contents
Comparison of the Best Trailer Hitches
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What is a Trailer Hitch?
A trailer hitch is a unit that helps you attach trailers or other accessories to your vehicle. Therefore, a trailer hitch is defined as the connector between the vehicle and the trailer. It provides a coupling point where you can hook up your trailer or other accessories.
You might also find it called a tow hitch, which is simply another term for a trailer hitch. All types of trailer hitches are designed for special purposes, and they have ratings for specific weight capacities. Because there are different types of trailer hitches, they can be made of different components.
What Class Trailer Hitch Do I Need?
The class refers to the size of the trailer hitch. There are 5 classes, ranging from I to V, and they range from the lowest capacity to the highest capacity. Therefore, it is important to decide what kind of weight you need to support in order to decide which one is the best for you.
They are classified as follows:
- Class I has a receiver tube of 1.25”. This class has a gross trailer weight of 2,000 lbs. and tongue weight capacity of 200 lbs.
- Class II has a receiver tube of 1.25”. This class has a gross trailer weight of 3,500 lbs. and tongue weight capacity of 350 lbs.
- Class III has a receiver tube of 2”. This class has a gross trailer weight of 3,500-6,000 lbs. and tongue weight capacity of 350-600 lbs.
- Class IV has a receiver tube of 2”. This class has a gross trailer weight of 6,000-10,000 lbs. and tongue weight capacity of 600-1,000 lbs.
- Class V has a receiver tube of 2.5”. This class has a gross trailer weight of over 10,000 lbs. and tongue weight capacity of 1,000-1,200 lbs.
How to Choose a Trailer Hitch
Here is how you should choose the best trailer hitch for your needs:
Class
According to the classification above, make sure you choose the one that suits your needs. For instance, class I is often used with compact cars, while class V can handle full-sized cars, SUVs, and pick-ups. Choose the right class according to the vehicle size and load weights.
Weight
Apart from claCURT 45056ss, the weight feature regards the amount of weight the trailer hitch can carry. The tow receiver has its weight covered by the class. You need to ensure that the maximum weight of the ball mount is higher than the gross towing weight of the hitch.
Ball-Type
There are three main types of ball sizes, so keep in mind that it needs to match the size of the trailer receiver arm. If you tow only one accessory, measure it and get the right size. If you tow different items, go for a ball mount with two or three different ball sizes.
Protective Coatings
Lastly, protective coatings make sense when you live in a humid climate with a lot of rain, humidity, and snow. Consider purchasing a trailer hitch with protective powder coatings.
Review of the Best Trailer Hitches
Now that you have all the information you need to make a good decision about the best trailer hitch, take a look at some of the top options below.
Best Overall:
CURT 45036
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This hitch comes ready to use, and it has a total of a 2” drop. It has a black powder finish that repels corrosion, but you might need extra coatings to protect it against rust. If you properly clean and maintain this product, it will give you many years of service.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This high-quality product has a weight capacity between 2,000 and 21,000 lbs., and it is available in different shank sizes, including 1.25” and 2”. Plus, it is easy to install, as all you need to do is to insert the ball mount into the shank of the 2” receiver. It also promises easy coupling!
Who Will Use This Most
This trailer hitch is recommended for trailers of 7,500 lbs. or less. It has a tongue weight capacity of approximately 750 lbs. Being made of welded steel with a hollow shank, it is recommended for many purposes. Overall, the product features a high degree of versatility and strength.
Bottom Line
The CURT45036 is easy to use, versatile and can be frequently installed and uninstalled due to the ease of use. It is one of the best trailer hitches available, as it boasts high-quality features, convenience, and long years of service. Maintain and clean it frequently and you’ll never have to look for a trailer hitch again!
Runner-up:
CURT 45900
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This trailer hitch is great if you are looking for a 2-in-1 deal. It includes anti-rattle features, which is a great relief for many people who appreciate their noiseless trips. It is highly durable and strong, and it can pull between 10,000 and 14,000 lbs.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Curt 45900 is a great, quality alternative to our top recommendations. It is extremely versatile, durable, and highly adjustable. You can raise the trailer hitch by 5.25” or drop it by 6”. You can also modify the ball mount to adapt to any towing scenario. It works best with class III, IV and V hitches.
Who Will Use This Most
If you are frequently working with heavy loads in unfavorable weather conditions, this trailer hitch is all you need. Its protective coating remains intact and withstands all debris, dirt, humidity, rain, and sunshine. The high-quality finish on this hitch truly makes it stand out from the crowd.
Bottom Line
Overall, the Curt 45900 is perfect if you need a heavy-duty, rock-solid trailer hitch that can withstand any environment or weather. It already comes with anti-rattle features, so you do not need to purchase an additional device. To top it all off, it provides you with incredible ease of use!
Best for the Money:
Curt 45056
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Extremely tough and resistant, this trailer hitch looks great, and it can handle heavy loads. It is definitely the best value for the money, considering the low range price and the load capacity of 7,500 lbs. Plus, it comes ready to use straight out of the box!
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Curt 45056 is a ready-to-go trailer hitch with a dependable strength of up to 7,500 lbs. and 750 lb. tongue weight. It is made of welded steel with a hollow shank, which boosts its versatility and its wide spectrum of applications. It comes with a pre-attached tow ball for ready coupling.
Who Will Use This Most
This trailer hitch is ideal for heavy loads, as it has a capacity of 7,500 lbs. gross trailer weight. The sturdy construction makes it suitable for most, if not all, applications. The ball mount has a 4" drop with a 2" diameter trailer hitch ball.
Bottom Line
CURT does a great job of providing its customers with the best quality products. This trailer hitch has long been praised for its ease of use and how well it fits with any vehicle. Its smooth operation is worth every cent!
Best Adjustable Trailer Hitch:
MaxxHaul 70067
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
You can put everything together in a compact, precise way. The components are made from resilient metal, which increases the durability and life of service. It is suitable for different heavy-duty jobs. It is corrosion-resistant and repels damage. Overall, this is a highly demandable product and rightly so.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Maxxhaul is a highly competitive company that provides affordable, high-quality, and extremely durable trailer hitches. The product offers optimum reliability, has a corrosion-resistant coating, and comes with eight customizable positions that increase accuracy.
Who Will Use This Most
Its endurance limit is up to 50,000 lbs., so this product is highly recommended for any heavy-duty jobs. Plus, it can pull up to 5,000 lbs. These features are ideal for matching it with SUVs, cars, caravans, trucks, and many others. The hitch is user-friendly and offers high value for the money.
Bottom Line
Overall, the Maxxhaul trailer hitch is a fair product. It is ideal for medium weight carry capacity, and it has eight different customizable positions. This gives it a little more height than usual trailer hitches provide, and this might prove to be very useful.
Best Trailer Hitch for Goldwing:
Show Chrome Accessories 52-825
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This product works great according to its buyers. It becomes invisible when the receiver mount is removed because it is made of a vertical receiver and mounts to the frame. It offers great value for the money and works as expected.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Show Chrome Accessories 52-825 is our top recommendation for the owners of a Honda Goldwing made between 2001-2017. It comes with a 1-7/8” chrome ball and all the necessary hardware to get to work straight away. Additionally, it features an anti-chatter bolt that reduces trailer sway.
Who Will Use This Most
This is our favorite option for possessors of a Honda Goldwing dated between 2001-2017. It comes with all the basic features of a trailer hitch and some extras, too. It becomes virtually invisible when the mount is removed, which retains the original aesthetics of your vehicle. It is easy to install and offers great value for your money.
Bottom Line
Overall, the Show Chrome Accessories hitch is the top choice for the Honda Goldwing. It is a perfect match, made of durable and resistant materials. It includes all the features you need and many more. All the hardware is included, and it suits most moderate budgets.
Best Anti Sway Trailer Hitch:
EAZ LIFT 48058
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The installation of this model is easy since all the parts come already pre-assembled. It is a completely stress-free experience, and the company provides excellent customer service if you have any problems. You might want to adjust the tension before the first use. It is definitely a highly recommended, quality hitch!
Why it Stands Out to Us
The EAZ LIFT 48058 has multiple features that are highly functional. It has an adjustable hitch ball height on the shank, with multiple holes that allow for maximum 6” vertical adjustments. The bars are made of 100% heavy-duty steel, making it a very solid unit.
Who Will Use This Most
This product comes with different models, from 600 lbs. to 1,200 lbs. It is highly versatile, and you may choose whichever one suits your needs the best. This hitch is made of fewer parts than other alternatives. Also, it is easier to clean and maintain, especially if you do not have previous experience.
Bottom Line
All in all, the EAZ lift trailer hitch is a strong competitor on the market. The company simply knows what ticks the boxes for its customers and offers the best quality products. It offers excellent customer service and a 5-year warranty with your hitch should anything unexpected happen.
Best Trailer Hitch for Subaru Outback:
CURT 13206k
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This is a class III hitch that provides your vehicle with a 2” x 2” hitch receiver. This permits a wide range of towing alternatives. It is suitable for use with a ball mount, bike rack, tow hook, cargo carrier, and many more. It includes all the necessary hardware for a clean and quick installation.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This CURT Class III trailer hitch offers the strength you need for serious towing, particularly for a Subaru Outback. It is versatile enough to go along with a large spectrum of trailers. You can customize your hitch so that it is a perfect fit for your vehicle.
Who Will Use This Most
This trailer hitch is usually used in towing utility trailers, campers, boat trailers, ATV haulers, snowmobiles, and many others. Because they have a wide height range, you will also find them on full-size cars, minivans, and crossovers. They are constructed with highly precise welding so that they have what it takes for heavy-duty trailering.
Bottom Line
Overall, this is a high-quality product with a hard, double coating and clean welds. It can be used in all types of environments and temperatures. Plus, it is easy to use once you set it up, and it can be used with a wide range of vehicles for all towing purposes.
Best Hitch for Towing Travel Trailer:
CURT 17063
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This product is extremely durable, and you can easily see its quality from the first use. The heavy-duty construction is also quite bulky, so two people should perform the initial setup. Despite this, once you hit the road, it will exhibit peak performance!
Why it Stands Out to Us
The CURT 17063 is a heavy-duty weight control hitch that will maintain an equal level between your trailer and your vehicle. It does so by using a portion of the tongue weight on the rest of the vehicle. This ensures that there is not too much pressure on the tongue.
Who Will Use This Most
If you are looking for steady performance and durability, combined with convenience and long-life, the Curt 17063 is what you need. It is a self-lubricating trailer hitch that contains a grease zerk that continuously lubricates it. This reduces the need for frequent maintenance and prolongs its life.
Bottom Line
Overall, the CURT 17063 combines innovation with simplicity to offer one of the best trailer hitches on the market. It comes with all the required components, including a sway control system and a self-lubricating mechanism. The round spring bars are made from steel, which ensures steady performance throughout.
Advantages of Investing in a Quality Trailer Hitch
Here is a short summary of the main advantages of investing in a quality trailer hitch:
No Surprises!
First of all, a quality trailer hitch will not unpleasantly surprise you by breaking after a few miles or a few uses. This is absolutely crucial for the protection of your assets and, more importantly, your and others’ safety. Detached trailers or bike racks and other accessories can have pretty harsh consequences. A high-quality trailer hitch is paramount for your safety.
Durability
On a similar note, a quality trailer hitch will definitely be durable. Although they will not break the bank, a quality hitch might cost a bit extra. These models also come with protective coatings, which make them more resistant to rust so they have a longer service life. Don’t forget to clean the hitch and maintain it to prolong its life!
Versatility
Lastly, a high-quality trailer hitch comes with a high degree of versatility. You may use it for different vehicles and with different loads, which means more value for your money.
How to Install a Trailer Hitch
Here are some guidelines on how to install your new trailer hitch. You might need the help of another person to put the trailer hitch into the right position.
- Ensure that emergency brakes are activated.
- Wedge your car’s wheels and jack it up. Jacking the car up is not necessary, but it will help you with some extra working space and you can see better where you are supposed to place the hitch.
- Find the ideal place to attach your torch or working lights, maximizing the brightness in the working area.
- Assess all the nuts, screws, bolts, and all the other components of your vehicle.
- If your car has a spare tire beneath the back, remove it before proceeding with the installation.
- Consult the instructions manual the hitch came with and remove all the screws, bolts, plugs, or nuts that might hinder installation.
- Put the hitch into the right position and align it.
- Once the position is right, install the other hardware the hitch came with.
- Secure the hitch tightly into the position by screwing the nuts.
- Use a torque to tighten the nuts.
Conclusion
Overall, a trailer hitch can be useful in a myriad of ways. It is good if you want to add some extra accessories or make up for the lack of space inside your own vehicles. It is always a wise choice to have a hitch on hand. Whatever your plan is, a high-quality trailer hitch will make it easier.
People Also Ask
Here is a short FAQ section regarding trailer hitches. These questions include how weight distribution hitches work, why trailers sway, and whether too much tongue weight leads to increased trailer sway. Let’s dive in!
Do Weight Distribution Hitches Work?
Yes, the weight distribution hitches do work. They alter the point where the load of the trailer is shifted onto the vehicle. This means that the entire tow ball weight of the trailer is placed onto the tow ball.
Why Do Trailers Sway?
Trailer sway is a serious, major concern for most drivers. You are in danger of losing control of your vehicle when this happens. This is especially relevant if you drive with your trailer on a frequent basis for long periods. Trailer sway can be caused by strong wind or passing big rigs, but there are also many other factors that you could fix.
Can Too Much Tongue Weight Cause Trailer Sway?
When the trailer tongue does not have enough weight on it, the trailer might sway from side to side. On the other hand, if there is too much weight on the hitch ball, the force might overload the rear tires of the tow vehicle. This could make the rear end of the vehicle turn around.
