Trailer Hitches: Various Components of Towing
Recreational vehicles are of various types and each one has its pros and cons. Some people love travel trailers. This is because it offers some unique benefits. Travel trailers are available in a range of sizes and models which may suit a range of budgets. If you already own a car or a truck, you can use it as an RV by simply exploring your vehicle towing capacity and finding suitable towing options accordingly. Perhaps, the best part is that on reaching the campsite, you can just simply unhitch and use your vehicle for routine purposes.
Travel trailer as a towing system consists of three main sections.
1. The Vehicle
A tow vehicle is an SUV, car, van, truck, or another automotive vehicle that is employed to pull a trailer. Each vehicle has its weight carrying capacity and understanding this is significant in choosing the right type of RV for you and your family. In general, a mid-size car, minivans, or smaller SUVs can tow up to 3,500 pounds. Your vehicle’s manufacturer can also guide you about your vehicle’s towing capacity.
2. A Trailer
A trailer is generally an unpowered vehicle that is pulled by the powered vehicle. Often it is used for the transportation of goods or materials. An example is a recreational vehicle, livestock trailer, or boat trailer.
3. The Connecting Equipment- Hitch and Accessories
Both the trailer and vehicles need to be tied strongly and there are some RV hitch parts used for this purpose. The main component which is attached to the chassis of the vehicle is called a trailer hitch and it has some accessory parts to make it do the job of towing.
Let’s dive in to understand what are the parts of a trailer hitch called and what function do they perform.
Trailer Hitch Components
The key RV trailer hitch parts are as follows;
-
RV Trailer Hitch
-
Ball Mount
-
Trailer Ball
-
Hitch Pin
-
Trailer Coupler
-
Safety Chains & Trailer Brakes
-
Trailer Wiring Harness
Without any of these trailer hitch parts and receiver hitch components, it’s not possible to tow a recreational vehicle or any other trailer properly and safely.
1. RV Trailer Hitch
A trailer hitch is also called a tow hitch or a tow bar. This tow hitch component is used to establish the main connection between the vehicle and the trailer. It is actually a structure or base component which is bolted on the vehicle and it provides a coupling point to connect a trailer. There are various types of trailer hitch classes on campers.
-
Rear RV Receiver Hitch.
-
Front Mount Hitch.
-
5th Wheel Hitch.
-
Pintle Hitch.
-
Bumper Hitch.
There are classes of trailer hitches that are meant to town specific trailer weight range. The class of the hitch depends on the vehicle you use for towing and its weight carrying capacity.
Choosing the right trailer hitch or tow hitch parts is not difficult since mostly the tow bars are made vehicle-specific. If you know the year, make and model, and the vehicle’s style to find what you exactly need. Trailer Receiver Parts for any specific type of vehicle such as a Hydro trailer hitch can be found in any shop dealing in RV parts.
2. Ball Mount
The Trailer Hitch ball mount is another name of the ball hitch. A ball hitch for campers is one of the most common accessories used in towing and there are two parts of a ball hitch; the shank, and a ball platform. The shank part is fixed in the hitch receiver through a tube. All ball mounts have a hole in their shank part to accept hitch lock or hitch pin to ball mount trailer.
The ball mount platform is used to provide a sturdy mounting place for the ball. As far as the style and capacity of the ball mount are concerned, there is a variety available. You can find a ball mount in fixed as well as adjustable form. If you want a new ball hitch, ball hitch replacement parts can easily be found online.
3. Trailer Ball
Composed of a metal ball and a threaded stem at the bottom, a trailer ball is actually an immediate connection point between the vehicle and the trailer. This is connected to the trailer coupler and helps you travel smoothly over hills and make the turns comfortably. The ball comes in standard sizes allowing you to find the best things for a trailer coupler.
4. Hitch Pin
A trailer hitch pin is another significant component which is typically an L-shaped metal rod. You have to fix it in the trailer hitch receiver from the side and after passing from the ball mount shank part, it comes out from the other side. The role of the hitch pin is to keep the shank of the ball mount and other hitch parts from sliding out of the receiver tube.
This hitch pin has a hole that is used to insert a hairpin-like clip. Made from steel, the purpose of this clip is to keep the hitch pin intact in the hitch receiver. The hitch pin and other trailer lock parts are necessary items to ensure a safe connection.
The best thing is that if any of your trailer & RV hitch components get worn out, you can find branded trailer hitch repair parts conveniently online.
5. Trailer Coupler
A trailer coupler is a component that is used in connection with a trailer ball to connect the vehicle and trailer. The part is designed to tightly bolt onto the ball and fixed in a manner that makes the towing possible. The trailer coupler’s best thing is that most of them can get adjusted to create a strong connection. The most important thing in choosing a trailer coupler is to find something that goes with the size of the ball.
The trailer coupler is amongst those trailer hitch parts and accessories which have to be heavy-duty to make a strong connection.
6. Safety Chains
As the name suggests, the safety chains are used as a safety measure in the circumstances when the two machines (vehicle and the trailer) get disconnected. These chains are fixed at the tongue of the trailer and the hooks connected to the trailer hitch. The experts believe that at least two safety chains are needed when you set up a towing system.
7. Trailer Wiring Harness
A trailer needs lights and therefore an electrical connection. This is what a trailer wiring harness does. The vehicle that tows a trailer needs connector wiring to supply power to the trailer lights.
While choosing to wire you need to be sure that you choose a connector with the appropriate number of pins to perform the required function. The most common type of trailer connector or wiring harness is a 4-Flat.
These parts of the tow hitch all need to be sturdy and reliable items since it’s not only a matter of making the towing possible but it’s a matter of your safety when you are pulling a trailer on the road. However, to find something on the budget you can look for trailer hitch parts for sale.
Conclusion
The importance of trailer hitch and trailer hitch pieces cannot be underestimated since towing isn’t possible safely if you have a low-quality part of the tow hitch. You can find travel trailer hitches and trailer hitch receiver parts for your specific type of trailer by visiting RV Part Shop Canada.