Trailer hitches are rated by the total gross weight they can handle as well as the tongue weight. Depending on their rating, hitches fall into classes ranked from I to V, as well as bed-mounted goose-neck and fifth-wheel hitches.
Class I trailer hitches are rated for a trailer weight of 2,000 pounds and have a tongue weight of 200 lbs. Class I hitches, the smallest trailer hitches, can tow objects up to the weight of a small trailer carrying a motorcycle or snowmobile. you can install these hitches on any car, truck or sport utility vehicle.
Class II trailer hitches can safely pull up to 3,500 lbs. of trailer weight. They have a rated tongue weight of 350 lbs. This type of trailer hitch is good for pulling a small boat or a pop-up camper. You can mount a type II hitch on a midsize car, truck or sport utility vehicle.
"Tongue weight" refers to the downward force a trailer tongue puts on the hitch. The tongue weight should range from 10 to 15 percent of total trailer weight. Exceeding a hitch's tongue weight can result in trailer sway.
