Trailer Hitch Guide

Hitch Classes

Class I = To 2000 lbs.
Class II = To 3500 lbs.
Class III = To 5000 lbs.
Class IV = To 10,000 lbs.

Trailer Towing - Hitch & Sway Control

The two main types of hitches are weight bearing and weight distributing:

Weight Bearing: Total tongue weight is carried on the

towing vehicle's hitch.

Weight Distributing: Trailer tongue weight is divided

between all axles on the towing vehicle and trailer, keeping the tow vehicle from "sagging" in the rear and making for a more stable set up.

Below are some of the weight distributing hitches available:

This is the Reese round bar system.

This is the trunnion style bars

With the above systems you can add the following sway control:

This is the dual cam sway control added to the trunnion style spring bars

this is a good set up for the money.

Dual Cam HP

This is the friction sway control, its not the best but its better than not having any sway control.

The above products are all Reese

This is the Reese Light Duty weight distributing hitch

Bolt-together welded head

Integral sway control platform

Innovative single spring bar design

Assembly hardware and chains included

Rated up to 4,000/400 lbs. weight distributing

Works with both side and center mounted tongue jacks

This weight distributing system is especially designed for use with lighter weight trailers and fold down campers. No chains or snap-up brackets are necessary and the 350 Mini works with any 2" receiver.

Something new from blue Ox

This is the "Equalizer" system, it has weight distribution and sway control.

Cost: $530.00 - $560.00 depending on weight

This is the pullrite system, it mounts on the tow vehicle, some vehicles need alterations made for the Pullrite to fit.

The PullRite eliminates sway! Using no add-on sway controls the PullRite operates like an upside-down 5th wheel, pulling your standard travel trailer from a point immediately behind the axle housing (“A”). How can this be? The PullRite’s ball mount has no moving parts, consequently, when the

equalizing bars are fit into the ball mount, the side-to-side movement is locked out, so the trailer can no longer pivot on the ball (“B”).

Using a draw bar that, in effect, extends the trailer tongue, the turning action is forced into motion at a point directly behind the axle (“A”). With the turning action at the axle and no movement at the ball (“B”), side pressures (18 wheelers, wind) merely "try to push the vehicle sideways, steering is not affected so sway can not occur.

Price range is approximately: $1995.00 - $3175.00 depending on your needs.

This is the Hensley Arrow, this system mounts permanently on the trailer,

This system prevents sway from occurring.

Solid Steel Construction

Heavy Duty Jacks & Spring Bars

Patented Converging Linkage System

Continuous Sway Control

Improves Steering Over Uneven Roads

Improved Handling During Braking

Tighter Turning Radius

Cost is about $2695.00

Blue Ox weight distributing hitch.

Features:

· Connects to your vehicle with one pin and no torsion bars.

· No heavy, difficult spring bars to deal with.

· Double-acting spring mechanism cushions the ride.

· Revolutionary design increases safety at highway speeds.

· Drastically reduces the sway caused by turbulent air.

· Limiting components allow no more than 2” up or down movement.

· Available for three tongue weights: Less than 500 lbs, 500-1000 lbs, and over 1000 lbs.

· Made of zinc-plated cast steel.

Benefits of the Blue Ox Hitch:

· Ground clearance

· Easy hookup

· No torsion bars

· Can hook up and unhook on uneven ground

· Gives you a smooth ride

· Transferable to other towing vehicles (pickups)

· Receiver shaft removable for clean look

· No bearings needed

· Head weighs 8-10 pounds

· Permanently attached sway control

· Cam adjustment – no need to hammer out pins

· Can park in tight corners

Anti-Sway: The Weight Distributing Hitch also includes sway-damping features that reduce the back-and-forth swaying associated with high winds, passing trucks, and rough roads – just to give you one less thing to worry about.

Cost: $1495.00, $1595.00 and $1695.00 depending on the tongue weight.

Air Ride Hitch

Cost: Approximately $650.00 to $1000.00 depending on class, does not include spring bars or ball mount.

Tow a fifth wheel with your van or excursion?? Check out the Hitch Buddy

http://hitch-buddy.com/index.htm

Hitch Links

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