Trailer Hitch Accessories 101

Congratulations – of the many aftermarket options, you’ve successfully selected a hitch!

Now, what? Hit the open road?

Well, not so fast. Turns out, the hitch is only one part of a safe towing setup. While a hitch receiver provides a coupling point to hook up a trailer, you still need to purchase a ball mount or other hitch accessory to actually connect the trailer. Plus, you need some other vital towing accessories to make lugging that boat, RV, or spare vehicle as smooth an experience as possible.

With a little help from Gahre Scudder, product manager for Husky Towing, we break down the importance of selecting a proper ball mount, trailer ball, hitch pin/lock, safety chains, and wiring harness. Together, these accessories ensure a safe and secure setup, so you can focus on the road ahead – without worrying what’s happening ‘round back.

Ball Mount

A ball mount is a critical piece of towing equipment, as it provides the actual link between the vehicle and the trailer. A ball mount consists of two main components: a shank and a platform. The shank is what inserts into the hitch receiver tube, while the platform provides a solid mounting point for a trailer ball.

As the ball mount provides a connection for hooking up a trailer, selecting the proper one is key to safe towing. Scudder says there is a specific way to measure a ball mount to ensure you choose the correct one.

First, you need to know the lingo for measuring a ball mount. Using the accompanying diagram as a guide, the Rise (A) is the distance the ball platform is set above the top of the shank. The Drop (B) is the distance the ball platform is set below the top of the shank. Hole Size (C) is the diameter of the trailer ball shank required to fit in the ball mount. Length (D) is the distance from the pin hole center to the ball hole center.

Now that you know what you’re measuring, you can choose your ball mount.

• With your vehicle and trailer parked on a level surface, measure from the ground up to the top of the hitch (receiver box).
• Measure from the ground to the bottom of the trailer coupler.
• Subtract the trailer measurement from the hitch measurement and that is the drop amount needed.

“Ball mounts come in different weight rate ratings as well, so choose one that matches your vehicle and hitch’s rating,” says Scudder. “You can always choose one that is rated higher than the capacity of the hitch and vehicle, but remember you cannot tow beyond the vehicle and hitch’s capacity.”

Scudder says you may run into a situation where your trailer sits higher than the receiver opening. If this happens, many trailer ball mounts will allow you to flip them “upside down” to give you the rise that you need. Just make sure to check the ball hitch is compatible for a rise application, as not all models can be safely used in the rise position. There are also adjustable height ball mounts available from just about every hitch or hitch accessory manufacturer.

Well known suppliers and manufacturers of ball mounts include CURT, Husky, Drawtite, B&W, Equalizer, and TriMax. Most of these companies offer a wide variety of ball mounts for all towing needs, as well as fit guides. Some even offer a full towing starter kit.

Trailer Ball

While the ball mount makes connection possible, the trailer ball is the immediate connection point between your vehicle and trailer. Therefore, when it comes to towing, selecting the right size and weight of a trailer ball is critical for driving safety and comfort. Luckily, the size ball you need is typically stamped right on the coupler of the trailer.

“Like ball mounts, it’s okay to choose a higher-rated ball,” says Scudder. “Just keep in mind that you can still only tow what is recommended for that vehicle and hitch.”

Typical trailer ball weight ratings range from 2,000 pounds all the way up to 25,000 pounds. They also come in three sizes:

• 1-7/8 inch – Generally found on small home landscape and utility tractors with a 2,000-pound axle (like you might find at Lowe’s or Home Depot), this size trailer ball capacity is 2,000 – 3,500 pounds.
• 2 inch – Think: standard trailers, most utility trailers, and trailers under 6,000-pound capacity, which typically have 3,500-pound axles. The ball capacity here ranges 3,500 – 10,000 pounds.
• 2-5/16 inch – This size is often used for heavy duty trailers, dump trailers, commercial trailers, and most trailers used with weight distribution – although, almost any sized trailer can use a weight distribution system. The ball capacity is 6,000-30,000 pounds.

It is important to select the proper size shank on the ball to match with the shank hole in the ball mount, stresses Scudder. “Shank diameter also comes in three sizes (3/4”, 1” and 1-1/4”) and is also varied by weight capacity, but never assume that because the ball mount is a certain rating, that the shank hole size will be a certain size,” he says. “Always measure or read the manufacturers information on it.”

Hitch Pin/Lock

Often overlooked, hitch pins perform the important job of holding the ball mount into the hitch receiver. For most standard trailer hitches they come in two sizes: ½” (Class 1 and 2 hitches), and 5/8” (Class 3, 4, and 5 hitches).

Hitch pins and locks come in either a standard pin-and-clip configuration or in a variety of locking pin configurations. The former makes changing out or removing the ball mount an incredibly easy process, while the latter ramps up security by making theft of the ball mount more difficult.

The aftermarket is ripe with locking options, from simple to Fort Knox.

Brands like Curt, Husky, and Drawtite offer easy-to-use setups with flat keys or combination locks. Those seeking a more advanced stainless-steel variety might like the “barrel key” style, which is similar to what you would find on a vending machine. TriMax and Master Lock are great brands to turn to in that arena.

If the thought of wrangling yet one more key sounds daunting, a brand like BOLT offers a solid solution. Thanks to the company’s One-Key Lock Technology, users can “program” the lock to their vehicle’s factory ignition key. Simply insert the truck’s ignition key into the BOLT lock, turn it once and the lock mechanically and permanently learns the key code, making for an exceptionally convenient option.

“My recommendation is to always buy a receiver lock,” says Scudder. “For a few dollars more than a standard pin, you won’t have to worry about your ball mount – or entire trailer – disappearing.”

Remember, that little pin prevents the trailer coupler from opening and the trailer jumping off the hitch ball. Opting for a lock is “cheap insurance,” adds Scudder, protecting against mechanical latch failure or simple misadventure – like kids playing with the latch on the trailer.

Safety Chains

Safety Chains act as a backup if your trailer becomes disconnected from your tow vehicle. Essentially, they help to keep the trailer from running off on its own down the road, potentially hurting someone. Beyond peace of mind, most states require them.

In a best-case scenario, you’ll never actually have to put your safety chains to use. They’ll simply hang underneath the tongue of the trailer and ball mount once attached and not do anything.

“Two safety chains should be used on every towing setup, including towing a vehicle behind your RV,” says Scudder.

Safety chains come in a variety of classes: Class 1 (2,000 pounds gross trailer weight or GTW), Class II (3,500 pounds GTW), Class III (5,000 pounds GTW), etc. The capacity of each chain should exceed your GTW, or the weight of the loaded trailer. So, for example, a 5,000-pound trailer needs safety chains that each have a break strength of at least 5,000 pounds.

When attaching safety chains…

Remember to cross the chains underneath the hitch and coupler, one over the other, as you attach them to your vehicle. This is important, as it creates a cradle or safety net for the coupler in the event of a disconnection. Remember to leave enough slack to allow turning, but not so much so that the chains drag along the ground and wear down.

Trailer Valet, a company that manufacturers trailer dolly solutions, suggests not only checking the security of safety chains before you tow, but also stopping to check they are firmly in place about every hour. “Safety chains should never be overlooked for regular maintenance,” says the company. “They are the glue holding your awesome towing adventure together!”

An alternative to safety chains are safety cables. Cables are generally a little easier to handle and they help keep road noise down. Plus, most are nylon-coated, which helps combat rust and corrosion. However, cables cannot compete with chains on strength. Designed as a medium-duty safety option, cables come in weight capacities to handle from 2,000 lbs up to 7,500 lbs, whereas chains can handle 2,000 lbs all the way up to 26,000+ lbs.

Wiring Harness

Another safety feature of a proper hitch setup is the wiring harness. The most important function of the wiring harness is illuminating the lights on the rear of the trailer so when you turn on the lights of the vehicle, the lights on the trailer illuminate as well. This will allow others on the road to see the trailer in the dark, fog, or rain.

Additionally, with a wiring harness, when you step on the brake pedal the brake lights will come on and show you are slowing down so you don’t get rear ended. The same logic applies to turn signals.

On larger trailers, the harness can also provide other features, including power to electric brakes built into the trailer axles. It can also provide a signal for reverse lights and auxiliary power for charging onboard battery systems like on a dump trailer or other accessories.

Scudder notes that some states do not require trailer lighting. “But, from a safety perspective, it is always highly recommended,” he says. “It’s also just a common courtesy to other drivers on the road.”

Because most vehicles today boast complication electrical systems, trailer wiring manufacturers have innovated vehicle-specific plug-and-play solutions with custom harnesses. This makes installation much easier, with owners only needing to hardwire a few wires. Often, no cutting or splicing is required.

Together, these trailer hitch accessories work to keep your tow vehicle and trailer on the road and safe.

Check back in with the blog soon. Since serious towing requires serious equipment, we have a full guide on gooseneck and fifth wheel hitches heading your way.