Are you considering towing with your vehicle? Up here in North Idaho, many of our customers tow boat trailers, campers, horse trailers, and other rigs, and many of the vehicles we stock in the showrooms at Mike White Ford have trailer hitches already installed.

If you’re new to towing, you will soon discover that installing a trailer hitch and getting the proper hardware for what you plan to tow is more complex than picking one off the shelf at your local auto parts store. If you make the mistake of starting there, you will quickly find yourself getting overwhelmed by the number of options available, and you may not select the correct items. Instead, do some research first.

When selecting a trailer hitch, ball mount, and other towing gear, there are several factors to consider. The starting point is knowing the type of vehicle you drive, its rated towing capacity, and what you plan to tow. Here is a quick guide to some trailer basics to help you make an informed decision about the right equipment for your requirements. If you still have questions, come on in and talk to one of the accessories specialists at Mike White Ford.

Can You Put a Trailer Hitch on Any Vehicle?

The good news is that if you don’t already have a trailer hitch on your car, you can probably install one. To find out if your Ford vehicle can tow, contact one of our salespeople or service techs at Mike White Ford. Let us know your vehicle’s year, make, and model, and, if your vehicle can tow, we will make some recommendations on which trailer hitch to use. Once you make your selection, we can schedule an appointment to install it.

There are three fundamental types of trailer hitches: receiver hitches (most common) and, for trucks, 5th wheel or gooseneck hitches. Receiver hitches are further divided into different classes based on maximum weight. 5th wheel and gooseneck hitches work with heavy-duty trucks and are necessary for carrying heavy loads. More commonly, people are interested in installing receiver hitches, which look like an empty square under the bumper at the back of a vehicle.

Types of Receiver Hitches

There are various hitch classes as follows:

  • Light-Duty Receiver Hitches (Class 1): These are designed for bike racks, cargo carriers, and small trailers. They are often seen on compact or midsize cars and can generally only work for towing less than 2,000 lbs.
  • Regular-Duty Receiver Hitches (Class 2): Ideal for midsize cars, minivans, or midsize SUVs, these trailer hitches can tow up to about 3,500 lbs. with a tongue weight (that is, the downward weight at the point where the trailer connects to your vehicle) of 350 lbs. These are typically used for towing small fishing boats, ATV and motorcycle trailers, or cargo trailers less than 12 feet long.

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  • Heavy-Duty Receiver Hitches (Class 3): These can tow up to 7,500 lbs. with a tongue weight capacity of 750 lbs. They are suitable for mid- to large-sized SUVs, vans, full-size cars, and pickup trucks.
  • Super-Duty Receiver Hitches (Class 4): These are designed for full-size pickups and SUVs with a higher towing capacity as they can tow up to 10,000 lbs. gross trailer weight and bear 1,700 lbs. tongue weight.
  • Commercial Duty or Xtra Duty Receiver Hitches (Class 5): These are heavy-duty hitches suitable for trucks, SUVs, dually, and Chassis Cab trucks. This type of hitch can handle heavy jobs, including campers, RVs, and commercial equipment, and has a tongue weight capacity of up to 2,700 lbs.

Preparing to Tow

Selecting the correct hitch receiver, ball mount, ball, and other equipment will depend on what you plan to tow. Today, you can purchase versatile hitch receivers that enable you to adjust the height of the ball mount and ball configurations that allow you to change ball sizes. These are extremely useful if you plan to tow different things.

The cost of a trailer hitch and the necessary accessories varies, with complete installations ranging from the hundreds to over a thousand dollars. However, getting a good tow hitch and towing accessories is a good investment if you plan to tow anything. A well-chosen trailer hitch enhances your vehicle’s capabilities and ensures a safe and reliable towing experience.

While there are many options out there, if you go about your research methodically, you will soon be able to confidently navigate through the available options to make the right decision for what you need. If you have questions about what type of trailer hitch you need for your vehicle or are interested in any trailer parts sold by Ford Motor Company, please visit or contact Mike White Ford and speak with our accessories department. When you are ready to install, our service department will be happy to assist.

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