What is the Difference Between a Class II Trailer Hitch and Class III Trailer Hitch

Question

Question:

whats the difference between a class 2 and a class 3 trailer hitch when it comes time to purchase one. Or better yet what should a person be looking for?

asked by: Richard P

0

Expert Reply:

Basically a lot depends on what you will be using the hitch for. If it is just for accessories such as a bike rack or cargo carrier than for the most part you will be fine with a Class II trailer hitch. If you will be towing then I would go with the stouter Class III hitch.

There are several differences between a Class II and Class III trailer hitch. The biggest differences are the size of the receiver opening and the capacities. A Class II trailer hitch will have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and depending on the hitch can have a capacity up to 3,500 pounds and tongue weight capacity up to 525 pounds.

Class III trailer hitches have a 2 inch receiver and can have capacities up to 8,000 pounds and tongue weight capacities up to 800 pounds.

If there is an option between a Class II and Class III I always recommend the Class III because the 2 inch receiver is compatible with many more accessories and they are stronger hitches in general. I have included a couple of helpful links on hitch Classes and receiver sizes for you.

expert reply by: Michael H

0

Answer 1

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 2

We don't have a list of installers recommended by EcoHitch. What we normally do is recommend people to find someone in their area local to them with a good reputation and let them do the install as hitch installs are pretty basic for mechanics.…

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Answer 3

Great questions! To upgrade the current OEM trailer hitch an aftermarket Class III trailer hitch with a 2" receiver you'll first need to remove the OEM hitch from your 2018 Subaru Outback Wagon. You should be able to follow the instructions…

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Answer 4

There is a slight difference between the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver #e98869 and Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #13241 that fits your 2020 Nissan Frontier, which is the finish. The etrailer hitch has a rugged matte black finish which is really good…

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Answer 5

Typically when a monitor gets horizontal lines across it like you are describing it is one of two things. Either the connection cable is bad or the monitor is damaged/failing. Since this is a wireless system without a cable, I would say it is the…

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Answer 6

EcoHitch is very secretive about the install instructions they offer for their hitches like the #306-X7273 that fits your 2016 Honda Fit but I am going to email you a copy of the instructions to you in a separate email. The install is not overly…

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Answer 7

I have a great solution for that will work with the weight/length of your 130-pound Laser Sailboat on your 2016 Honda Fit. Unfortunately, with the approximate 125 pound maximum weight capacity of your roof, you will not be able to adhere to the roof…

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Answer 8

For a trailer hitch to use with an e-bike rack I recommend the EcoHitch #306-X7196 for your 2004 Toyota Prius. This is a 2" trailer hitch receiver with a 300 lb tongue weight capacity, which opens up a LOT more options to choose from when it…

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Answer 9

There is only one difference between the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver #C13176 and etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver #e98909 that fit your 2020 Chevrolet Colorado, which is the finish. The Curt trailer hitch has a glossy black finish while the etrailer…

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Answer 10

I went out and took the measurement on both hitches for you. The Draw-Tite, part #76145, measures about 9 inches from the top of the wings where the hitch mounts to the vehicle's frame to the bottom of the collar around the receiver opening. The…

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Answer 11

Yes. Because the Hopkins Plug-In Simple #HM11143114 is a plug and play wiring harness which required no hard wiring, a bad or insufficient ground wire on the trailer is the most likely cause of the trailer lights not working when the head lights on…

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Answer 12

In order to find the correct amount of rise/drop to look for in a ball mount you simply need to measure the distance from the ground to the bottom of the trailer coupler while level and then from the ground to the top inside edge of the receiver on…

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What is the Difference Between a Class II Trailer Hitch and Class III Trailer Hitch

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