A Class I trailer hitch fits most vehicles. Typically, owners of smaller vehicles such as pickup trucks and minivans use a Class I hitch for camping racks, bike racks and light-duty towing. This trailer hitch is often a bumper-type with a crossbar and a small receiver, though it can also be a drawbar type. The gross trailer weight of a Class I hitch is 2,000 pounds with a 200-pound maximum tongue weight.
A Class II trailer hitch fits full-size vans, larger vehicles, SUVs and full-size pickup trucks. The gross trailer weight of a Class II trailer hitch is up to 3,500 pounds with a 300-pound tongue weight. This hitch can hold a snowmobile, a camper, a small boat trailer or a motorcycle trailer.
A Class III trailer hitch is the standard for basic towing. This hitch holds up to 5,000 pounds with a 500-pound tongue weight. You might identify some Class III trailer hitches by a two-inch rectangular receiver.
A Class IV is normally a weight-distribution hitch. This hitch has a 10,000-pound gross trailer weight and can hold up to 1,200 pounds of tongue weight.
A Class V trailer hitch may haul a horse trailer, large boat, car trailer or camper. The gross trailer weight of a Class V hitch is up to 10,000 pounds, with a tongue weight of over 1,200 pounds. This hitch also assists in evenly distributing the weight during the ride.
A fifth wheel hitch fits pickups only. Some people select a fifth wheel hitch to haul a fifth wheel trailer. This trailer hitch has a maximum of 24,000 pounds of gross trailer weight.
A gooseneck hitch is often confused with a fifth wheel trailer hitch. The gross trailer weight of a gooseneck is up to 25,000 pounds and the total weight capacity is up to 6,250 pounds. This trailer hitch is strictly for pickup trucks.
