We’re a Canadian company, family owned and operated in our nation’s capital, since 1994. As such we completely understand and appreciate the practical need for a trailer hitch. Life here often takes us outdoors, travelling across country, or maybe camping for the summer.
Whether boating, off-roading, hiking or moving away for university, you may find yourself needing a trailer hitch to tow your boats, cargo or personal belongings.
When it comes to safe towing, you need a trailer hitch you can count on. At Goldwing we benefit from our relationship with manufacturers like Draw-Tite, Curt, EcoHitch, Hidden Hitch and Reese because they provide safe and secure hitches backed by rigorous testing for compliance with internationally accepted standards and safety ratings.
In a few moments, we’ll take a look at 5 of the most commonly asked questions our sales team gets from customers looking for professional trailer hitch installations, here in Ottawa.
But first, what exactly is a trailer hitch?
Simply put, a trailer hitch is the device that connects a trailer, or towable unit to your vehicle. The structural component is bolted to the chassis of a vehicle to provide a coupling point for your trailer or towable unit.
According to Uhaul and Curt Manufacturing there are 5 basic types of trailer hitches: receiver hitch, 5th wheel hitch, gooseneck hitch, weight distribution hitch and pintle hitch.
What is a receiver hitch?
Receiver hitches are the most common type of hitch, given that they are available for the majority of vehicles. They attach to the underside of a vehicle, providing a place to mount a ball or other towing device.
What is a 5th Wheel hitch?
A 5th Wheel hitch is a heavy duty hitch designed to couple with the kingpin of a 5th wheel trailer. These units are attached to the beds of pick-up trucks only, relying on a locking bar to secure the kingpin and a pivoting head plate to regulate the smooth movement of the trailer.
What is a Gooseneck hitch?
A Gooseneck hitch is another heavy-duty hitch that attaches directly onto the bed and frame of a pick-up truck only. These units couple to a gooseneck trailer using hitch ball and are often preferred for their ability to evenly distribute the weight load of a trailer.
If you grew up on a farm, you may be familiar with these hitches as they are often found on livestock trailers, horse trailers or flatbed equipment haulers.
What is a Weight Distribution hitch?
A weight distribution hitch (WDH) is a receiver hitch attachment, designed to use spring bars and brackets to evenly distribute the weight of a bulky load across the axels of the vehicle and trailer for better stability and control while towing.
What is a Pintle hitch?
A pintle hitch is a simple, yet reliable coupling device, that pins the hook and lunette ring or loop to attach a trailer to a vehicle. Their rugged construction makes them ideal for towing heavy loads off-road or in agricultural, industrial or military settings.
The 5 different classes of trailer hitches,
Trailer hitches are divided into 5 different classes based on the maximum weight load they can safely tow and the size of their receiver. A higher class number indicates a heavier load capacity and larger receiver.
| Class | Capacity | Receiver |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | 2000 lbs. | 1.25’’ |
| Class 2 | 3500 lbs. | 1.25‘’ |
| Class 3 | 8000 lbs. | 2‘’ |
| Class 4 | 10,000 lbs. | 2‘’ |
| Class 5 – Xtra Duty | 16,000 – 17,000 lbs. | 2’’ |
| Class 5 – Commercial | 18,000 – 20,000 lbs. | 2.5’’ |
Now that we have a better understanding of hitch types and classes, some of the popular questions we get asked will make more sense.
Our experts answer 5 of the most commonly asked questions received by our sales team
1. What’s the difference between a Class 2 & Class 3 hitch — and which one do I need?
The main differences between a Class 2 and a Class 3 hitch is the maximum towing capacity and size of the receiver, with a Class 2 hitch being less expensive and more lightweight than a Class 3 hitch. A maximum weight load of 3500 lbs. means a vehicle with a Class 2 hitch can only tow basic items like motorcycles or U-haul trailers. Class 3 hitches have a max weight load of 8000 lb making them a better option for safely hauling RVs or large boats.
For hauling everyday items like our Thule bike racks and cargo boxes a Class 2 hitch is sufficient, but anyone needing to transport heavy equipment or a large boat will need to go with a Class 3 or higher depending on the tow weight and/or your specific vehicle.
2. Do I need trailer wiring if I only plan to use my hitch for a bike rack?
If you’re like 99% of our clients, and are completely sure that you’ll only be using your hitch for a bike rack, then don’t worry about the wiring. A 4.5 or 7pin wiring harness is only used to power the tail lights, brakes lights and turning signals of a trailer.
If you’re unsure about how you’ll end up using the hitch, having the wiring harness installed at the same time as your hitch means you won’t have to come back for another appointment if you decide to buy a boat or need to move your belongings to a different city.
3. Can I install hitch wiring by myself?
Absolutely. Depending on your technical skill level, installing hitch wiring by yourself can save you a bit of money. All you’ll need is a trailer wiring kit and a T-connect wiring kit. We usually recommend our favourite brands, Tekonsha and Hopkins, both companies provide reliable products and offer both 4.5 and 7 pin wiring harness options.
4. What factors should I pay close attention to when shopping for a hitch?
The main factors you need to pay attention to are: the towing capacity of your vehicle, the maximum weight load of your cargo or equipment and finally, where you’ll be headed.
Hitches can be installed on most cars, SUVs and trucks. If you’re not sure what the best option is for your specific vehicle or needs contact our sales team today!
5. Is a hitch a good investment for me?
Whether or not a trailer hitch is a good investment depends on what you’ll be transporting, and how often you’ll moving it around. If you’ll use it once a year or less, then it might not make sense for you. If you’re planning on camping in a trailer all summer or towing your boat to the water every weekend, then it’s a great investment.
Why should you choose Goldwing for your trailer hitch?
One of the many reasons to choose Goldwing for any of your auto care needs, is the 30 years of experience and dedicated customer service that drives our company. Since the beginning, we’ve placed a tremendous valued on doing the job right, going above and beyond from what is expected of a regular tire or tint shop.
With Goldwing Autocare, you get:
- 30 + years of experience
- Dedicated and knowledgable sales team
- Professionally trained installers & technicians
- Reliable products and services
- Goldwing warranty on everything that leaves our shop
