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what size tow hitch

What Size Tow Hitch Do I Need?

Towing is a great method of transportation. From moving items from one place to another to pulling a travel trailer or camper across the country, being able to tow is a perk of your vehicle, you should definitely be taking advantage of. However, to tow effectively, you need a hitch, and there are a ton of options available. Choosing the right hitch for you and your vehicle isn’t just a matter of selecting a brand but also purchasing the correct size. Ordering a hitch that’s even a ½” off could result in an ineffective and dangerous connection. If you’re asking, “what size tow hitch do I need,” then here’s what you need to know!

What is a Hitch Ball?

A hitch ball, also known as a trailer ball or a tow ball, is the little round metal ball you’ve probably seen sticking out of the back of people’s trucks. The spherical shape of the hitch ball allows the trailer to pivot and turn as it follows around your tow vehicle. However, while the size of hitch balls is generally the same, there are some exceptions. Furthermore, they come in different weights that may affect your towing experience. 

What is a Ball Mount?

Generally, the hitch ball doesn’t attach directly to your vehicle. Rather it attaches to a ball mount. A ball mount is a removable platform that slides into the receiver tube installed in the back of your vehicle. This platform gives you the ability to adjust your hitch ball up and down to match the height of your trailer. Fully adjustable drop hitches, like those at GEN-Y, further improve the versatility of your hitch and make it easier to switch from one trailer to another. 

What is Towing Capacity?

Now that you understand the components involved in towing, it’s important to look at the individual towing capacity of different hitches. Generally, you’ll come across three different sizes:

  • Light-Duty – 1 ⅞.”
  • Medium-Duty – 2″
  • Heavy-Duty – 2 5/16″ 

The different sizes are manufactured to handle different towing capacities. 

Choosing the Right Tow Hitch

To choose the right hitch, you need to consider how much weight you’re towing. For instance, if you own your own lawn-care business and regularly tow your equipment around, you won’t need as much towing capacity as someone who drives their boat to the lake every weekend. 

While hitch balls are available for up to 32,000 lbs on average, you also need to consider the weight capacity of your towing vehicle. Your gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) can be found in your owners manual and will help you identify what size hitch you’ll need according to its capacity. Your trailer will also have a GVWR, and the weight rating of your tow ball must match or exceed it. 

Once you’ve identified the GVWRs of your vehicle and trailer, you can locate the correct hitch size you need for safe towing.

If you’re unsure about your GVWR, or can’t find the correct hitch, reach out to our team of qualified professionals for help identifying the right hitch for you. We have a wide selection of hitches, perfect for multiple occasions, and we can help ensure that you’re set up with the best possible option for you and your needs to keep you and your cargo safe on the road!

Let Us Help!

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