Can You Put a Trailer Hitch on Any Car?
As long as you do not exceed your vehicle’s tow rating, it’s likely compatible with a trailer hitch. Vehicles with low ground clearance can be in danger of bottoming out and the hitch coming into contact with the pavement under load, but a hitch can still be used to haul a bicycle or utility rack, or a smaller trailer to haul lightweight items like a washer and dryer. Most smaller cars are very infrequently used for towing in the U.S., but in Europe and Asia many small vehicles are fitted with hitches for carrying extra cargo on long trips or lugging small trailers. Check your owners’ manual to determine your tow rating.
How High Should a Trailer Hitch Be Off the Ground? What Happens if a Trailer Hitch is Too High?
Allowing a loaded trailer at least 11 inches of clearance from the bottom of the hitch mount to the ground will give it enough lift to make it through most bumpy roads and slanted entryways without any scrapes. If a hitch is mounted too high, your trailer will slant downwards towards the rear, which increases instability at speed and aerodynamic drag. Trailers should ideally be as level as possible when hitched to a vehicle, with 1 inch of variance on either end.
How Much Does it Cost to Get a Trailer Hitch Installed?
Hitch installation costs vary depending on the type and complexity of the trailer hitch. If you purchase a hitch and need to get it installed, a shop may charge anywhere between $100 to $800 for the job. This may include adding a wiring harness for trailer lights and brakes. In the U.S. virtually every connector for trailer lights and brakes are four- or seven-pin units, but you can buy a cheap adapter if you rent one that uses a different type.
Can I Install a Trailer Hitch Myself?
DIY hitch installation will save you money and is relatively easy with the right tools, and somebody who’s handy with automotive maintenance may feel comfortable installing a hitch at home, especially lighter-duty Class I and Class II hitches. This involves spending significant time under the vehicle, so make sure the car is fully jacked up on quality jack stands if you’re going to attempt it. It’s best to look up installation instructions for your specific vehicle and trailer hitch before purchasing to determine if it’s a project you want to take on.
Can Towing a Trailer Damage My Car?
Yes, if you’re pulling a trailer load that exceeds your vehicle’s tow capacity. This could overheat or cause permanent damage to the engine and transmission. The frame or body structure, suspension and brakes would also be under stress and may wear more quickly. Damage from an inexperienced driver could also occur, often from misjudging a turn or jackknifing the trailer while backing up.
What Do the Hitch Classes Stand for and How Large are the Typical Receivers in Each Class?
Class I and Class II receiver hitches are similar in that they are both designed for smaller passenger cars that are towing lightweight loads and typically have an inside tube dimension of 1 ¼ inches. Class I receivers can tow a maximum of 2,000 pounds with some cars capping out at 1,500 pounds. Class II receivers usually max out at 5,000 pounds. Class III and IV receivers are the most common for SUVs, crossovers, quarter-ton half-size pickups, half-ton full-size pickups and even most pre-2008 three-quarter ton pickup trucks. Class III receivers can haul up to 8,000 pounds and Class IV receivers up to 10,000 pounds.
Both the Class III and IV receivers typically feature 2-inch tubes, which is the most common ball size, however a multi-ball insert will allow you to rotate to the ball size you need. If your hauling needs exceed the limits of the above receivers, you may need to jump to a Class V, which offers the highest weight rating and receiver sizes that range from 2.5 to 3 inches. Class V receivers are found on heavy-duty full-size pickups and commercial vehicles, and are rated up to 18,500 pounds for the 2.5-inch receiver or 21,000 pounds for the 3-inch receiver.
How is a Tow Rating Determined?
A vehicle’s tow rating is determined by the manufacturer. To determine the maximum towing capacity of your vehicle, you’ll need to know the vehicle’s factory weight ratings to compare them against the gross weight of the trailer you plan to haul. Most manufacturers display this information on the vehicle’s drivers’ side door jam, in the owner’s manual or on the manufacturer’s website. Common weight ratings include Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), which is the fully loaded weight of your car without a trailer. Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) is the maximum weight your vehicle’s axles can handle. The Tongue Weight is the amount of downward force that can be exerted onto the back of the vehicle or towed trailer. The Gross Combined Weight (GCWR) is the total weight that your vehicle can safely handle, including the vehicle itself, passengers, cargo and attached trailer. Another important rating is Braked Towing Capacity or Unbraked Towing Capacity, defining the max weight that the vehicle can tow if the trailer is equipped with brakes or the amount of weight the vehicle can tow if the trailer does not have its own brake system.
How Can I Increase My Vehicle’s Towing Capability?
There are modifications and accessories that can safely increase your vehicle’s tow rating, and most mechanical upgrades that boost power or torque can help you haul more or mitigate the risk of damage from frequent towing. Installing a larger radiator can keep your engine from overheating under load. Adding new lubricants in the engine oil and transmission fluids will also help to better diffuse the heat, as can fitting an oil cooler or transmission oil cooler.
Since a vehicle’s suspension supports the majority of the weight, upgrading the suspension system’s components—such as installing thicker coil springs or coil-over shock absorbers, adding more leaf springs or going all out with an air suspension system—will distribute the weight more evenly over each vehicle axle instead of solely putting stress on the rear. Replacing axles and differentials with heavy-duty versions can also help increase towing capacity, but this is a task best left to professionals as incorrectly installed upgrades could make the vehicle unsafe.
You can also improve stopping power by upgrading your brake rotors, pads and fluids. Some brake components are designed for better performance under heavy loads, and regular brake fluids can boil if used hard. Installing a trailer brake controller to increase stopping power on the trailer can also take some of the load off of your vehicle’s brakes. A trailer brake controller hooks into your vehicle’s braking system and applies the trailer brakes in tandem with the vehicle’s regular brakes, matching input from the driver.
