How To: Determine the class of a vehicles trailer hitch.

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TRAILER HITCH GUIDELINES

Tongue Weight Capacity: This is the maximum VERTICAL weight that the frame of your vehicle can support.

Tongue Weight Capacities for Various Hitch Classes:

Hitch Class	Tongue Wt. Capacity
Class I	200-250 lbs.
Class II	250-350 lbs.
Class III -IV	350-600 lbs
Class V	1,000 lbs. +

Sources for determining tongue weight capacity:

Label on the hitch
Owner's manual
The installer of the hitch
The manufacturer of the hitch

Hitch Sizes: Hitch sizes come in five classes from Class I (light duty) through Class V (heavy duty).

Hitch Sizes
Trailer hitch receiver sizes

Hitch Class	Inside Measurements
Class I	1-1/4" x 1-1/4"
Class II	1-1/4" x 1-1/4"
Class III - IV;	2" x 2"
Class V;	2-1/2" x 2-1/2"

Note: Some Class I and II hitches may have a 2"x 2" opening

Sources for determining trailer hitch size

Label on the hitch
Tape measure
Owner's manual
The installer of the hitch
The manufacturer of the hitch

Hitch Converters: Devices that change the hitch size opening but not the tongue weight capacity

Hitch Extenders: Devices designed to increase the distance from the rear of your vehicle to the hitch receiver opening. Hitch extenders place additional stress on the hitch and the frame of the vehicle due to the increased leverage associated with the load being further from the hitch and frame of the vehicle thus reducing the tongue weight capacity significantly.

(Author: Andy)

How To: Figure out what trailer hitch is on my vehicle.