This is the one thing that I’d be very careful while buying. If you mess this up, there’s a high probability that you’ll kill somebody and it might not be your ex. Jokes apart getting a subpar one will definitely split the joint today or tomorrow in the middle of the road.
When it comes to hitching receiver material it’s made of gets the highest priority. But there are always other factors that come into play like the thickness of the metal sheets and fittings. You’ll even have to check down to the screws to assure that you’re getting the best trailer hitch receiver otherwise you’ll be screwed.
Table of Contents
The Best Trailer Hitch Receiver in Town
As for the final part, we’ll be going over the pros and cons of some claiming the throne for the best. So, let’s dig in.
1. Drop Hitch GH-514 2″ Dual Receiver Hitch
Why this?
This is a sturdy one that can tow up to 16,000-pounds. That means this Drop Hitch is mightier than most other trailer hitch receiver in the market. If you need a super receiver that can endure heavy load and can handle the huge weight, then you’ll be amazed by this.
This apparatus features an improved design that is made to endure heavy load. The double tongue design is capable of enduring load. Besides, it gives you the opportunity to deal with different types of trailers. This trailer is enough for a class-5 load.
Now let’s check the build quality. As you can guess this apparatus is made to handle immense pressure, its construction should be sturdy enough. That’s where the manufacturer has put the effort.
They have treated the ball mounts with heat. This treatment has empowered the overall system to last longer. On top of that, the body is painted with a durable black coat. This will prevent any chance of corrosion or rust.
You get a 7.5-inch drop and rise facility to ensure a proper fit. That also gives you the assurance that the trailer and the vehicle will remain safe even in case of an extreme bump. That’s how the tool handles the massive load with care.
Glitches
- Bit difficult to take off and on since it’s a bit heavier
2. B&W Trailer Hitches Tow & Stow Receiver
Why this?
Here’s come a pro in making these apparatus. With all of the experience, they gathered throughout the journey, B&W hitches did a great job by improving the conventional design. This uniquely designed device has many features to offer you and give you assurance of long term service.
The first thing to be noticed is its build quality. This tool is made to last long and can comply with a heavy load. The base is made of zinc phosphate which secures the steel-plated finish.
The overall system is covered with a black coat. This arrangement is helpful to prevent rust and prolong the service life. That’s why you don’t need to worry about any cracks or such corrosion.
The tri-ball installation is something to be mentioned. These tiny attachments have a great impact on the overall system. If you often attach different sized trailers, then this system is really helpful for you. You can tow up to 10,000-pound weight with the help of this receiver.
10-inch drop movement is ensured. It means you can simply go 5-inch upward and also 5-inch downward to attach the trailer. It adds an extra benefit to the overall system. This receiver locks easily in the position to ensure anti-theft.
Glitches
- Makes clunking sounds especially when it hits any bump.
3. BETOOLL HW9113 2-Inch Shackle Tow Hitch Receiver
Why this?
This BETOOLL hitch receiver can be easily fitted underneath your vehicle. A simple and convenient design is helpful enough to ease the task. This apparatus can deal with heavy loads without any remarkable tension. That’s why it’ll last longer and you can enjoy a great service.
When it comes down to the construction, this tool has impressed me much. This apparatus is made of high-quality drop forged steel. The overall body is covered with a black powder coat to ensure zero corrosion. That’s why you get the assurance not to be disappointed when you need the tool. It’s always ready!
The load-carrying capacity of the receiver is 5 ton and you can push it to a maximum 10 ton. It’s enough regardless of what you do. It’s suitable for both professional usages and off-road excitement.
This tool supports multi-purpose usages. You can use it even when you need to tow a vehicle or need to be towed by another. Even you’re not satisfied after all of these, you can return it any time!
Glitches
- The edges aren’t beveled so it gets difficult to insert.
4. Hikotor3 Point 2″ Hitch Receiver Adapter
Why this?
This trailer hitch receiver from Hikotor is made to handle the immense load. Its unique design gives you the ultimate and tension free experience for a quite long time. Thanks to its sturdy construction and protective layers which protect it from any external corrosion.
This heavy-duty tool is quite easy to be in action. It has 3 points that connect it with the trailer. This hitch attachments work like a stabilizer to make the setup absolutely risk free. These holes can be connected with a wide variety of 2-inch hitches. That’s why the system is perfect for moving even larger loads.
This adapter has a measurement that can be used without any apparent problem. That’s why you can connect this apparatus with most of the vehicles out there. This design has made the tool compact but sturdy at a time. Above all, this arrangement is easy to move as it’s comparatively light.
Glitches
- The powder coat may not last longer as expected.
- Many find troubles to fit the tool with their trailer accessories.
5. Draw-Tite 75673 Max-Frame Receiver
Why this?
This trailer hitch receiver from Draw-Tite is exclusively made for big guys. Yeah, you can attach it with your truck, van or even with your SUV. That’s why it’s a sturdy one and can deal with a heavy load. It has many other aspects to make you mesmerized!
When it comes down to the build quality, I can confidently say that a great effort has been put. This frame is durable and can take the load of heavy-duty usage.
Okay, when you look at the device for the first time, you’ll obviously notice a square receiver tube opening. This part is 2-inch by physical measurement. It protects the hitch tube quite efficiently to carry the load. That’s why it can carry 4000 to 6000-pound without any apparent issue. Besides, it enables you to attach different types of cargo.
Sturdy welded construction is covered by a durable black powder coat finish. That’s why this tool confirms stunning looks with mightier performance.
Glitches
- It doesn’t seem to align perfectly with some lines of cars e.g. Sabaru.
The Route to the Best Trailer Hitch Receiver
You need to know some important facts about the gadget. This is because you may end up in a mess if you don’t know this basic. Trailer hitch receivers are of different types and they can be used for different purposes. So, you have a higher chance of picking up the wrong one.
Drop or Rise
If you are intending for towing, and mostly that’s the case, level towing is the fundamental thing to ensure. Drop or rise is the deviation of the height of the trailer coupler from the height of the trailer hitch receiver.
The most top branded receiver comes with a drop or rise of 7 to 8 inches at best. Don’t worry if it doesn’t match your needs. Just buy a hitch receiver with ball mount height adjustability.
Why determine it?
For low ball mount set up i.e. drop, the resultant weight of the trailer and what’s on it is going to take the weight off your towing vehicle’s front. In such cases, both braking and steering of the car is affected and may lead to accidents.
Whereas, if you rise that higher than your requirement, the weight behind the axles of the trailer gets displaced and you result in a wobbling of the trailer.
How to determine it?
Measure the height of the receiver at the back of your car. Next, level out your trailer and measure the coupler height. Obviously both the measurements should be from ground level. The difference between the two will be your required drop or rise to obtain from the hitch receiver you install.
To be specific, subtract the receiver height (A) from the coupler height (B). If the result (C = B-A) is negative, the result will indicate a drop while a positive difference means its rise.
1. Load Capacity
As the name suggests, the term refers to how much the receiver can handle without any obvious issue. If you want to tow a bigger trailer, it’s obvious that you have to go for a bigger load capacity which may force you to increase your budget.
There’s a thumb rule to select the perfect one. Choose a trailer hitch receiver that is capable of towing more than the weight of your trailer. It’ll be excellent if that’s nearly double. This safety measure will definitely help you to cruise further and able to retain the durability of the ball mount.
2. Class
Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has defined four types of trailer hitches. Starting from the load-carrying capacity up to 2000 lbs to 10,000 lbs. There’s another type that can carry up to 17,000 lbs. These categories are defined as class ranging from I to V according to the weight carrying capacity. Higher classes cost more but worths spending.
3. Installation technique
It’s better to try to go for a trailer hitch receiver that requires only two or three steps to be followed to be ready. Match the shank size of the hitch receiver with that of the receiver tube of your vehicle. In most cases, it’s 2 inches or so. The drop or raise must be accurate.
The shank of the ball you want to take along, if the receiver doesn’t come with one, should match too. If the ball size is not compatible with the coupler, that’s not a pain. Most of them have adjustment nuts near the ball cavity.
4. Material
In general, steel is the primary material that is used to build the trailer hitch receiver. Forged steel is better and found among the top class receivers. Heat-treated hardened steel is also a fantastic choice.
But it may catch rust and soon become fragile. That’s why manufacturers use to coat the body with a proper layer of paint. While some others provide powder coating. Stainless steel can be a good alternative to prevent rust.
5. Size & Design
You need to choose one that will fit underneath your vehicle. The trailer hitch should not become a burden to your vehicle.
FAQ
Q: How can I differentiate between a trailer hitch and a receiver?
Ans: It’s simple! The trailer hitch has a ball platform but the receiver has a mechanism to insert the special ball mountings.
Q: How will I know which trailer hitch receiver I need?
Ans: There are only two parameters that can be used for measuring which trailer hitch receiver you need: The height and width. At first, you should know up to which width and height trailer hitch receiver your vehicle can handle.
Q: Is it a good idea to install the trailer hitch receiver all by myself?
Ans: If you’ve experienced in installing such type of apparatus before, then you can go for doing it all by yourself. But if not, it’s better to consult a professional.
Wrapping Up
It seems that you’re a bit confused and having a hard time selecting the best trailer hitch receiver. It’s normal that you can’t make a final decision easily after seeing so many exotic products. That’s why I’m here to help you further. Let’s see the products that attracted me the most.
If you’re looking for a trailer hitch receiver that can carry a huge load then you can check Drop Hitch GH-514 2″ Dual Receiver Hitch. But if you opt for a tool that can easily be adjusted and won’t look like a metal junky, you can try BETOOLL HW9113 2-Inch Shackle Tow Hitch Receiver.
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