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trailer hitch

What are the different types of trailer hitches?

Everyone has heard of a trailer hitch, but few know that there are several different types. Understanding the different types of trailer hitches is crucial to ensure you have the correct hitch and are ready to tow. Trying to tow with the wrong hitch can result in disastrous consequences. If you’re unsure which hitch you should get, here’s what you need to know!

5th Wheel Hitch

A 5th wheel hitch is designed to work with a pickup truck and is installed in the middle of the bed of your truck. This hitch works with 5th wheels and large RV trailers. Since it is installed above your rear axle, it can handle large weights and is perfect for those who love to travel, as it can be easily unhooked once your travel trailer is set up at a campsite.

Bumper-Mount Hitch

This type of hitch is attached to your bumper and is generally used by those who tow boat trailers, campers, and other similar loads. While this hitch is convenient, it can only handle as much weight as your vehicle’s bumper, greatly reducing its versatility. Perfect for those who only need a hitch for one or two reasons, other hitches are more common for those who need multiple applications.

Gooseneck Hitch

A gooseneck hitch is made to work with gooseneck trailers and mounts to the bed of your truck in the same way as a 5th wheel hitch. This hitch works well with those who need a higher weight capacity, make tighter turns, or need to pull heavy loads like livestock trailers or large flatbeds.

This hitch is easily installed with a specialized kit and can be easily removed to allow access to your truck bed when the trailer is not in use.

Pintle Hitch

The pintle hitch is commonly used in the construction industry. The pintle is a hook of sorts and connects to the lunette, which is a ring attached to the trailer. Generally, this connection is used for commercial vehicles or dump trucks, as they have a higher towing capacity than a standard ball mount connection. On the downside, they tend to be much noisier than other hitch types.

Receiver Hitch

One of the most common types of trailer hitches is the standard receiver hitch. For this option, a square receiver tube is attached to the rear part of your vehicle’s frame. Then, a ball mount can be inserted into the receiver tube and fastened in place.

Ball mounts are available in several sizes and rated for different weight capacities based on a 5-class scale. Class 1 hitches are made for lighter-duty towing, whereas class 5 hitches are for heavy-duty loads.

Additionally, receiver tubes come in different sizes depending on the rating of your ball mount. However, the three most common sizes are:

  • 1 1/4″ x 1 1/4″
  • 2″ x 2″
  • 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″

The heavier your hitch class, the larger your receiver tube will need to be.

While there are several different hitches available, we believe in versatility and quality. That’s why GEN-Y has worked tirelessly to create hitches that suit the needs of our customers that last for years. Browse our vast selection of hitches to find the one that works best for you for the best possible towing experience!

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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