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towing terminology

Towing Terminology Explained

When it comes to towing, understanding the terminology is crucial. After all, knowing these terms will make your towing experience smoother and safer. That said, let’s break down some towing terminology!

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum allowable weight of your vehicle when fully loaded with passengers, cargo, and fuel. This rating is crucial for determining how much weight your vehicle can safely handle. Exceeding the GVWR can lead to unsafe driving conditions and potential damage to your vehicle’s suspension and brakes.

Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)

Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) refers to the total weight of the trailer when it is fully loaded, including all cargo and fluids. This figure is vital because it helps you determine if your tow vehicle can handle the trailer’s weight. To ensure safe and efficient towing, make sure the GTW never exceeds your vehicle’s towing capacity.

Tongue Weight

Tongue weight is the downward force exerted on the hitch ball by the trailer’s coupler. Ideally, tongue weight should be about 10-15% of the GTW. Too much or too little tongue weight can cause trailer sway or poor handling, leading to dangerous driving conditions. Gen-Y Hitch offers adjustable hitches that help you manage tongue weight effectively, ensuring a balanced and smooth ride.

Towing Capacity

Towing capacity is the maximum weight your vehicle can tow safely. This includes the weight of the trailer and its cargo. It’s important to note that exceeding your vehicle’s towing capacity can result in engine strain, transmission damage, and brake failure. Always check your vehicle’s owner manual for its towing capacity and ensure it aligns with the weight of your trailer.

The 60/40 Towing Rule

The 60/40 towing rule is a guideline to help ensure proper weight distribution in your trailer. According to this rule, 60% of the trailer’s weight should be placed in the front half, while the remaining 40% should be in the rear. This balance helps maintain trailer stability, reduces sway, and ensures that the tongue weight is within the ideal range. Following the 60/40 rule is especially important for preventing dangerous trailer sway during high-speed driving or sudden maneuvers.

Hitch Classes

Hitch classes refer to the different categories of hitches, each with specific weight limits. There are five main classes:

  • Class I: Up to 2,000 lbs GTW
  • Class II: Up to 3,500 lbs GTW
  • Class III: Up to 8,000 lbs GTW
  • Class IV: Up to 10,000 lbs GTW
  • Class V: Up to 20,000 lbs GTW

Choosing the right hitch class is crucial for safe towing. Gen-Y Hitch’s products, like the MEGA-DUTY hitch, are designed to handle the heaviest loads, providing maximum durability and safety.

Brake Controller

A brake controller is an electronic device that controls the electric brakes on a trailer. It synchronizes the trailer’s braking system with your tow vehicle, ensuring that both stop simultaneously. A well-calibrated brake controller is essential for maintaining control of your vehicle and trailer, especially during sudden stops.

Sway Control

Sway control refers to mechanisms designed to prevent or reduce trailer sway. Trailer sway can occur due to high winds, improper loading, or sudden maneuvers. Gen-Y Hitch’s torsion-flex technology helps absorb road shocks and reduce sway, giving you a smoother and more controlled towing experience.

Weight Distribution Hitch

A weight distribution hitch distributes the tongue weight more evenly across the tow vehicle’s and trailer’s axles. This not only improves handling and steering but also increases the overall stability of your towing setup. Weight distribution hitches are essential for towing heavy loads and are a great addition to any serious towing rig.

Safety Chains

Safety chains are a secondary connection between your tow vehicle and the trailer. In case the hitch fails, the safety chains keep the trailer attached to your vehicle, preventing a potential runaway situation. Always cross the safety chains under the hitch to catch the tongue if it drops, ensuring maximum safety.

Pintle Hitch

A pintle hitch is a type of heavy-duty hitch often used in commercial or agricultural applications. It consists of a pintle hook and a lunette ring, allowing for a secure connection even in rough conditions. Gen-Y Hitch offers a range of pintle hitches that are built to withstand the toughest jobs, ensuring reliable performance in any scenario.

Understanding these towing terms is essential for anyone looking to tow safely and efficiently. With Gen-Y Hitch’s top-of-the-line products, you’re equipped with the tools and knowledge to tackle any towing challenge. Whether you’re hauling a small trailer or heavy machinery, Gen-Y Hitch has the perfect solution for your needs. So hitch up with confidence, knowing you’ve got the best in the business on your side.

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Gen-Y Hitch exists to better the lives of our customers, dealers, vendors, employees, and the automotive industry. We will always put our customers’ needs ahead of our own. Contact us today, and let us help you!

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GEN-Y Hitch Limited Lifetime Warranty

This Limited Lifetime Warranty covers defects in the materials or workmanship of All GEN-Y manufactured products and is limited to the repair or replacement of the product by GEN-Y Hitch. The decision as to whether the solution is replacement or repair shall be at GEN-Y Hitch’s sole determination. This Limited Lifetime Warranty is provided only to the original purchaser and applies only to the original installation.

TORSION-FLEX Hitches

All rubber components for TORSION-FLEX Hitches are assured for 5 years from the date the unit was purchased.

Click HERE to purchase a TORSION-FLEX Lifetime Warranty  

This Limited Lifetime Warranty Warranty is expressly IN LIEU of any other express warranty and is further IN LIEU of any implied warranty, including, but not limited to, any implied WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE except as may otherwise be required by applicable Federal or State law at the time the hitch was manufactured.

This Limited Lifetime Warranty does not cover the following:

  • normal wear and tear 
  • the finish on the product  →  wear around the shank of the hitch, the ball mount & the pintle saddle is inevitable and should be expected with normal use of the hitch due to metal on metal contact from trailer couplers / lunette rings
  • replacement of the product by any person or entity other than GEN-Y Hitch
  • any consequential or incidental damages including, but not limited to: commercial loss, loss of time, loss or damage to personal property, lodging, meals or other related travel costs or any other incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of the product, the inability to use the product or for any other reasonable delay in performance under this Lifetime Warranty
  • service or labor charges for:
    • installing the product 
    • removing the product
    • returning the product to GEN-Y Hitch or replacing the product by anyone other than GEN-Y Hitch
    • damages caused by abuse, neglect, misuse, misapplication, overloading or improper installation, improper maintenance, repair, negligence or acts of God
    • alteration of the product in any way other than by GEN-Y Hitch
    • failure to utilize the product in compliance with it’s User Manual
    • failure of any product to which the GEN-Y product was attached

GEN-Y Hitch shall not be held responsible for any or all “compatible parts or products” being used or being utilized for towing with or around a GEN-Y Hitch product. GEN-Y Hitch products shall never be altered in any circumstance or for any reason and will void any warranties if done so.

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

This Limited Lifetime Warranty gives you specific legals right, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state. The laws applicable to any litigation, dispute, mediation, arbitration, or any claim whatsoever arising from the sale, purchase, or use of the product shall be the laws of the State of Indiana, without regard to rules pertaining to conflicts of law. The exclusive jurisdiction for deciding any claims, demands or causes of action relating in any way, from the sale, purchase, or use of the product shall be with the courts of the Circuit or Superior Courts of Elkhart County, Indiana.

Changes in the Design of and/or Improvements to GEN-Y Hitch products and substitution of parts or components

GEN-Y Hitch reserves the unrestricted right at any time and from time to time to make changes in the design of and/or improvements upon GEN-Y Hitch products without thereby imposing any obligation upon itself to make corresponding changes or improvements in or upon GEN-Y Hitch products already manufactured. GEN-Y Hitch further reserves the right to substitute parts or components of substantially equal quality in any warranty service required by the operation of this Limited Warranty.

If your GEN-Y product was involved in an accident, do not continue to tow with it. There may be structural damage to the hitch that you cannot see that could result in product failure