Various Components of Trailer Hitches

Posted on 12/31/2021 by RV Products, Parts and..., RV and Camping Lifestyle 6161
Various Components of Trailer Hitches

There are many types of recreational vehicles, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Travel trailers are popular with some people. It offers some unique advantages. Several types and sizes of travel trailers are available to suit a variety of budgets.  By looking at your vehicle's towing capacity and finding the appropriate towing options accordingly, you can use your car or truck as an RV. The best part is you can simply unhitch your vehicle at the campsite and drive around as you normally would.

Travel trailers have three main sections as towing systems.

1. The Vehicle

 Generally, a tow vehicle is a car, SUV, van, truck, or another automobile that is used to tow a trailer. Knowing your vehicle's weight carrying capacity is important in choosing the appropriate type of RV for you and your family. A mid-size car, minivan, or smaller SUV can usually tow up to 3,500 pounds. Additionally, you can inquire about your vehicle's towing capacity from its manufacturer.

2. A Trailer 

Towable trailers are usually unpowered vehicles towed by powered vehicles.  They are used to transport materials or goods. Examples include recreational vehicles, livestock trailers, and boat trailers. 

3. Hitch and accessories - The Connecting Equipment

RV hitch parts are used to firmly tie the trailer to the vehicle, as well. This component is called the trailer hitch, and it has some accessory parts that enable it to tow the vehicle.

Take a look at what the components of a trailer hitch are called and what they do.

Components of Trailer Hitches

 Here are the key parts of an RV trailer hitch:

  1. RV Trailer Hitch

  2. Ball Mount

  3. Trailer Ball

  4. Hitch Pin

  5. Trailer Coupler

  6. Safety Chains & Trailer Brakes

  7. Trailer Wiring Harness

The towing of a recreational vehicle or any other trailer would be impossible without any of these trailer hitch parts and receiver hitch components. 

1. RV Trailer Hitch

 Trailer hitches are also known as tow hitches or tow bars. Towing hitch components establish the main connection between a vehicle and a trailer. The hitch plate is a bolted-on structure which provides a coupling point for connecting a trailer.  On campers, there are a number of different trailer hitch classes.

 

  1. Rear RV Receiver Hitch.

  1. Front Mount Hitch.

  2. 5th Wheel Hitch.

  3. Gooseneck Hitch

  4. Pintle Hitch.

  5. Bumper Hitch.

  6. Weight Distribution Hitch

 

Trailer hitches can be classified according to the weight range of the trailer. Depending on the type of vehicle you use for towing and its load capacity, the hitch class will differ.

Tow bars are usually made vehicle-specific, so choosing the right trailer hitch or tow hitch parts is not difficult. You can find what you need if you know the year, make and model, and the style of the vehicle. Any shop offering RV parts can provide Trailer Receiver Parts for any specific type of vehicle, such as Hydro trailer hitches. 

2. Ball Mount

A ball hitch is also known as a Trailer Hitch ball mount.  Ball hitches are one of the most common accessories used in towing, and they consist of a shank and a ball platform. A tube connects the shank part to the hitch receiver.  The shank portion of all ball mounts has a hole to accept the hitch lock or the hitch pin that secures the trailer to the ball mount.

In order to mount the ball, the ball mount platform must be stable. Ball mounts come in a variety of styles and capacities. Both fixed and adjustable ball mounts are available. You can easily find ball hitch replacement parts online if you need a new hitch.

3. Trailer Ball

A trailer ball is an immediate connection point that consists of a metal ball and a threaded stem at its bottom. This is connected to the trailer coupler, which allows you to travel smoothly over hills and make comfortable turns. Balls for trailer couplers are available in standard sizes, allowing you to choose the right options.

4. Hitch Pin

Another important component is a trailer hitch pin, which is usually an L-shaped metal rod. After passing through the ball mount shank part, it comes out the other side after being fixed in the trailer hitch receiver from the side. A hitch pin's purpose is to prevent the ball mount shank and other hitch parts from sliding out of the receiver tube.

The hitch pin has a hole through which a hairpin-like clip is inserted. The clip, made of steel, serves to keep the hitch pin intact in the hitch receiver.  To ensure a safe connection, the hitch pin and other trailer lock parts are necessary.

You can find branded trailer hitch repair parts conveniently online if any of your trailer & RV hitch components wear out.

5. Trailer Coupler

In order to connect a vehicle to a trailer, a trailer coupler is used in conjunction with a trailer ball. The part is designed to tightly attach to the ball and be fixed in such a way that towing is possible.  One of the best things about trailer couplers is that most of them can be adjusted to create a strong connection. When choosing a trailer coupler, it is important to choose something that is compatible with the ball size.

Trailer couplers are among the trailer hitch parts and accessories that need to be heavy-duty for a solid connection.

6. Safety Chains

Safety chains, as the name implies, are used when two machines (a vehicle and a trailer) are disconnected.  Chains are attached to the tongue of the trailer and hooks are connected to the trailer hitch. When establishing a towing system, experts recommend at least two safety chains.

7. Trailer Wiring Harness

Electrical connections are needed for trailer lights. Trailer wiring harnesses provide this. In order to supply power to the trailer lights, vehicles that tow trailers need connector wiring.

You will need to select a connector with the appropriate number of pins to perform the required function when wiring. A 4-Flat trailer connector or wiring harness is the most common type.

There are several components of the tow hitch that need to be reliable and sturdy since it's not just about making towing possible, but it's about your safety as well when towing a trailer. You can also find trailer hitch parts on sale to find something within your budget.

Conclusion

If you have a low-quality part of the tow hitch, you cannot tow safely. That is why trailer hitches and trailer hitch pieces are important. RV Part Shop offers travel trailer hitches and trailer hitch receiver parts for your particular type of trailer.

Blog categories

Blog search

Recently Viewed

No products

Settings

Categories