Hitches for trucks can be a valuable addition to towing and many other applications, such as cargo and bike rack management. You can currently find many trucks with a standard hitch in the back, but many different types of hitches can still be added to the truck to provide extra help.
Types Of Truck Hitches
If you are also searching for truck hitches, keep reading as we explore the many types of hitches for trucks and the best place to buy them. First, let’s start with the different truck hitches and their purpose. These are:
Gooseneck Hitches
Gooseneck hitches are exclusive to pickup trucks, and one thing about them is that they are not as intrusive as some of the other hitches. With these hitches, you can use the truck bed while it does the towing. The general average weight for gooseneck hitches is about 30 thousand lbs. It can change depending on the truck, as the weight-carrying capacity of every truck is different. You can usually see these hitches in livestock towing trailers, flatbeds, car haulers, and many other commercial and industrial trailers.
Front Mount Hitch
The front mount hitch can add a lot of utility to the front of your vehicle. It is similar to rear hitches as it bolts directly to the rear except for the front. This hitch has various applications that you can find by installing it at the front. The hitch is also helpful for inserting a winch, cargo carrier, spare tire mount, snow plow, and even parking a trailer, making it versatile.
5th Wheel Hitch
It is a hitch that you can mount into the truck’s bed or the front of the rear axle and falls under the category of heavy-duty hitch. Some of the general uses of these hitches are in hauling large campers, cars, and travel trailers. The one thing unique to a fifth-wheel hitch is its coupling device, which is a part of the hitch and not the trailer. The kingpin it receives is from the trailer.
The jaw mechanism then secures the hitch. They are also available for pickup trucks. Another cool feature of the fifth-wheel hitch is that they are capable of pivoting. This allows it to absorb the road bumps, which further leads to a comfortable ride. The average weight-lifting capacity of these hitches is about 24 thousand lbs.
Pintle Hitch
Generally, pintle hitches are accounted in the category of hitches. Yet, it is difficult to find similarities between standard and pintle hitches. It is a type of hitch where the hook is called the pintle. It is then attached to the truck, and its lunette is attached to the trailer. You can then mount the pintle directly to the frame or to a mount that can slide into the hitch receiver. Moreover, these hitches can be a little noisier than standard mounts and can lift weight in the range of 10 to 60 thousand lbs. You can find these hitches very commonly in the construction industry.
Weight Distribution Hitch
These hitches can be found at the rear of the vehicle hitch, and they still count as hitches. The objective of this hitch is to distribute the weight of the tongue across the trailer or vehicle. The major focus of this hitch is on the spring rods that act as a leverage point for the connection. They reduce the weight burden on the tongue and redistribute it to other parts and help in better steering. You can find these hitches commonly in the back of camping RVs. However, it would be best if you were careful as it can not increase the weight-carrying capacity of the towing vehicle.
Bumper Hitch
It is a standard hitch that can attach directly to the rear of the hitch and is pretty common. You can find it in almost every truck, whether a large SUV or a small sedan, in various sizes. This hitch’s normal weight carrying capacity is between 2 thousand and 21 thousand lbs.
Also Read: What Are The Various Types Of Trailer Hitches?
Potential Drawbacks Of Truck Hitches
Truck hitches carry benefits, but there are potential drawbacks of hitches as well. Any vehicle with a tow hitch increases the chance of whiplash at the time of rear collision by more than 20%. Women and children are the most prone group to whiplash.
This type of collision is more common among vehicle accidents on roads which makes driving with a hitch dangerous. It is not necessary that an accident will happen, and it is usually pretty rare, but hitch installation can create that possibility. So, it is advisable to take preventive measures.
Cost Of Hitch Installation
The cost of a hitch installation varies depending on the degree of service that an installation may require. Hitches open up new windows of opportunity. However, you might want to be wary of the cost before proceeding with any other service. Any tow bar or hitch installation service can go as low as $250. In contrast, the more premium services can reach up to $900 with an average installation cost of about $600.
These installation costs do not include the cost of the hitch, which is in the range of $125 – $500. Fifth-wheel hitches are comparatively more expensive, with an average cost of $1220 and an installation cost of about $500 – $600.
Where To Buy Truck Hitches?
Now that you are familiar with the various types of truck hitches, let us share with you the best place where you can get the best quality hitches and professional installation services. If you want the best hitches for your truck, then you should check out Bills Mobile Hitch And Tow Bar Installation. We provide you with a wide variety of hitches for your trailer and truck needs, and these hitches are cost-effective as well. You can also get professional installation service from our well-trained staff, which is dedicated to providing customers with a great experience and ensuring that it takes the least possible amount. We have been working towards our goal of customer satisfaction for many years and also provide various other services. You can avail of these services even in an emergency.
We ensure that once we receive a customer, they never go back without satisfaction, and for that reason, we back our service with guarantees. For more details on towing equipment and installation service, visit our website. Contact our customer service if you have any queries or concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is definitely worth installing a hitch on your trailer or truck. Hitches can help in providing stability. They can also help anchor the cargo, make it secure, and safeguard your belongings. It makes them perfect for attaching small cargo. They can also make the process of cargo carrying much easier than the other non-hitch alternatives.
The average time that it takes for a professional to install can range from anywhere between 30 minutes to many hours. It can depend on the skill and experience of the installer, the tools he uses, the condition of the trailer, etc.
Hitch installations are permanent as well as temporary and can be removed. However, you might require the service of a professional hitch installer.