Hitch Shopping - What should I be looking for?

[killramos]

Hey guys,

Might have some needs to pull things around in the near future, and for that I need a hitch for my truck.

What should I be looking for here? I am hoping for a general one size fits all that can be used generically for any towing ( not talking about anything heavy enough to need a true WD hitch, but I am open to buying a WD hitch and not using the equalizer bars or whoever that works. I hear WD aren’t generally compatible with boat surge brakes so that might rule them out?)

In the short term it’s likely utility type trailers, might look into some kind of watercraft in the spring so if it can also serve that role that would be awesome.

Truck is a little higher than typical stock, but nothing excessive for Alberta (2” lift, 32’s). Not sure if that affects things much for ball height etc. Or if I should be considering something with adjustable height.

I’m pretty in the dark here so interested in hearing opinions, or regrets on features etc. that people have had. Seems like a simple problem but I don’t really know where to start.

I am sure @ExtraSlow is salivating already

[ExtraSlow]

Bro if I wasn't wrist-deep in some work issues today I could write a novel on this.
Two things you need to know and they are bjthrbekated to the trailer.
1) what ball size is the trailer?
2) what's maximum weight of the trailer?

I can't provide more guidance than that for several hours.

[The Cosworth]

Also question, are we talking the hitch? Or the receiver? Some of the questions seem to be A and some to be B. Also knowing the truck you have helps. 1/4 ton vs 3/4 ton is a big change. I have a Husky weight distro hitch and ball for my trailer. I don't swap balls so I always run a 2 3/4". We have a 2" hitch we just throw on if we tow the sea-doo around.

You also have mention you're higher than stock. How high is the trailer? They have some adjustments in them but you can get a drop hitch.

[killramos]

See shows what i know...

What I need is a ball and mount.

The truck is a 2019 Sierra Crew Cab Short Box 4WD half ton rated for 9,300lb trailer, 7,000lb ball weight, should be a class IV hitch. Way way way more truck than I need for this.

Sounds like trailer requires "1 7/8", or 2" ball". 25" max ball height. Trailer weighs 2,300lb dry max load 4,400lb. Literally just a large u-haul utility trailer https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/6x12-...amp-Rental/HO/ ( I am also open to suggestions on this but that could be another thread, I'm just trying to move some larger items from house into storage while renos happen. )

Not sure where my hitch height sits, 5 seconds of internet turns up nothing. Can measure that later.

I realize I am massively overthinking this, and most people would just go buy the first thing off the shelf at Crappy tire, but if I am going to buy something i figure i might as well buy the right thing. Bonus points if it is usable for a single/double seadoo trailer or boat ( heart says boat, wallet says seadoo ) down the road.

Thanks guys.

[ExtraSlow]

Don't buy a WDH until you need a WDH, and you don't currently.

I'm still confused, so just to be clear, your truck DOES already have this part, right?


If it does, measure the distance from the ground to the middle of that square hole (known as a receiver) and that's how you know if you need a drop hitch.

Then you need the hitch that goes into your receiver. I like these for someone like you that will tow different trailers because you can really fine tune the drop height:

[killramos]

Yea I have a hitch receiver lol

For some reason I have always called the mount and ball the hitch. I don’t know why.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Get something height adjustable, the rest doesn’t matter so much. Balls can be changed etc if needed.

[ExtraSlow]

Most people do, but then we end up with this confusion.

Also, go buy yourself this and leave it in the truck, because I know you are going to pull something that's stuck, and this is a safer way to do it.

[killramos]

Good idea on the shackle. Wouldn’t want to chip my pretty red tow hooks


Can’t leave it in though, if I drop the inner trunk on the multipro it hits the hitch to the tune of $3k if damage lol.

Brand preferences? Something good and reputable?

I like the idea of height adjustable. Because the off road suspension is likely to sag a fair amount if I ever weigh it down.

[Crazyjoker77]

I bought one of these off amazon when it went on sale. Like the idea of easily swapping to whatever I need by just rotating it since I really have no clue what I'm going to be needing to tow.



I've only ever used the hook to wrap my tow strap around to yank out some trees.

[ExtraSlow]

The Curt dual ball I posted is a nice choice, or if you like shiny things, and I know you do, this one is prettier


Anything from B&W will be nice quality too. Although I can't find any for a reasonable price.

[killramos]

Sitting at 18” to center point of receiver. So probably not much drop needed?

[killramos]

Ordered the curt 45900 you recommended. 200 CAD to my door from amazon.

I like the idea of adjustability and overkill.

Thanks guys.

[roopi]

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