| So, you have a receiver hitch. Have you ever used it? | | | | your personality with a custom hitch cover. |
| Do you know how handy your trailer hitch can be, | | | | The bike racks, cargo carriers, and ski racks are all |
| even if you don't have a trailer to haul? What do you | | | | generally mounted to a shaft that slides into your |
| need to get the most out of your trailer hitch? | | | | receiver. These racks offer great convenience as |
| First. let's talk about the receiver. It's a square hole | | | | they allow you to safely carry bulky and/or dirty items |
| located below your bumper. it's called a receiver | | | | outside your car. Many of them fold for easier access |
| because it "receives" the stuff you stick into it. Makes | | | | to the rear of your vehicle and to require less storage |
| sense, right? | | | | space. Sports racks and cargo carriers are a great |
| Your receiver is either 1.25 or 2 inches square. The | | | | use for your receiver hitch. |
| smaller receivers are either class I or class II hitches | | | | You can also get bed extenders and hitch mounted |
| depending on how much weight they can handle. The | | | | boat racks that allow you to put one end of a ladder |
| 2 inch receivers are class III, or IV; as the class number | | | | or canoe on top of your pickup cab and support the |
| increases so do the weight limits. For example, a class | | | | other end with a rack that mounts to your hitch. |
| I hitch can tow up to 2000 lbs. and handle up to 200 | | | | Similarly, hitch mounted ramp supports are available to |
| lbs. downward pressure on the actual hitch (that's | | | | allow you to attach ramps to the back of your pickup |
| called tongue weight), while a class IV hitch can tow up | | | | so you can drive what ever you need to right into the |
| to 10,000 lbs. and handle 1,000 to 1,200 lbs. tongue | | | | bed without fear of damaging the tailgate. |
| weight. | | | | A hitch mounted step is a great way to access the |
| Equally important to the trailer hitch's weight | | | | rear of your vehicle; they are simple to install and fold |
| specifications are the towing specs for your vehicle. | | | | to be out of the way when you're not using them. |
| You can find these in your owner's manual and they | | | | They often double as hitch covers which keep your |
| should always be respected. Overloading your trailer | | | | receiver clean. |
| hitch will not only risk damage to your vehicle, but it will | | | | If you're a tailgater, you will love a hitch mounted grill. |
| also make steering and braking more difficult, making | | | | Forget hauling the mess of a charcoal grill or dealing |
| you a danger on the road. | | | | with the small rack on a portable grill; with a hitch |
| So, what can you do with your receiver hitch? | | | | mounted grill you can bring the comforts of your back |
| Obviously, you can tow a trailer. If it falls under the | | | | patio with you--it's easy and awesome. Even if you |
| weight specs for your hitch and vehicle, you'll just need | | | | don't go with a hitch grill, you'll want a tailgater hitch |
| a ball mount and a hitch ball. The ball mount is the | | | | cover. It displays the logo of your favorite team and |
| square metal shaft that slides into the receiver. The | | | | has a built in bottle opener for your convenience. |
| hitch ball mounts onto the ball mount and sticks out | | | | Whatever trailer accessories you choose, make sure |
| behind your vehicle when properly installed. You can | | | | you get a hitch lock to keep your stuff safe. This |
| tow cargo trailers, camping trailers, utility trailers, just | | | | handy little lock replaces the tow pin you use to keep |
| about anything that you want. | | | | the ball mount in your receiver hitch and will give you |
| Beyond towing, you can use your receiver hitch for | | | | peace of mind as you make the most of your trailer |
| cargo carriers, bike racks, boat carriers, ATV ramps, | | | | hitch. |
| ski racks, hitch mounted grills, hitch steps, and to display | | | | |