Shopping for Auto Accessories When You Know Nothing About Cars

Shopping for Auto Accessories When You Know Nothing About Cars

A Simple Guide to Trailer Hitches

Ethan Andrews

Whether hauling a boat, a small shipping container, or appliances and furniture, trailer hitches are an important part of the transportation process. Not only do they need to be able to withstand the weight of the load, but your hitch should also remain securely attached to your vehicle at all times—meaning the materials and quality must be top-notch. The safety of you and other drivers on the road depends on this assurance. Because of the wide variety of hitches available on the market, it is important to understand the one suited to your needs, which is a task the following guide should greatly assist in.

Ball & Pin Hitch

The most common type of trailer hitch, ball and pin attachments are used for everything from horse trailers to boats. In addition to the ball, mount, and receiver hitch that attaches to the underside of your vehicle, this hitch also has safety chains and electrical wiring for trailer lights and brakes.

The main advantage of a ball and pin hitch is its ability to accommodate bumps, dips, and sharp turns in the road without compromising the security of your trailer. The hitch simply rotates on the ball, allowing the trailer to turn at an angle different to that of your vehicle. The ball mounts do come in a wide variety of diameters and heights, so it is imperative to investigate the size of your trailer coupler (the piece of your trailer that rests on the ball mount) before purchasing a hitch.

Front-Mount Hitch

While their location is unique, front-mount hitches operate similar to a rear-facing hitch and are generally composed of a ball mount and receiver hitch (that secures to attachments on the underside of your car). These types of hitches are especially useful for specific maneuvering on boat ramps and when using a snowplow.

Three-Point Pin Hitch

Primarily used for agricultural and slow-moving vehicles, pin hitches are less secure and generally unsafe at high speeds. Most commonly found on tractors, they attach at three points, and the "hitch" is simply a thick hole. The trailer itself also has a hole where a thick pin is slid through to connect the two. As you can imagine, this method is less sturdy as the trailer is much more susceptible to sway, and the safety of both vehicles could be compromised around sharp corners if the trailer bottlenecks or the pin breaks. Generally speaking, though, three-point pin hitches are perfect for farm vehicles and transportation around a property.

To find the type of trailer you need, contact a representative from a company like Transtyle Trailers.


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About Me
Shopping for Auto Accessories When You Know Nothing About Cars

If you don't know much about cars, fixing them or buying accessories can be daunting. However, there are tips and tricks that can help you. Welcome to my blog. My name is Miranda, and I have learned a lot about fixing my car. One day, I decided I was tired of gender stereotypes regarding car maintenance. I bought a repair manual, and I took my car apart. My first task was installing new shocks, and my ride is as smooth as ever. You can do it too, and I'm here to help you get started. Regardless of how little you may know about cars now, I can help you figure out the next steps.