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A tow hitch with a class 3 hitch rating, for example, has a towing capacity that’s higher than a class 1 hitch. Once you know how much weight your vehicle can handle and the weight of the load that you need to tow, you can choose a trailer hitch class rating that meets your needs.
People also ask
How much weight can a Class 1 Hitch tow?
What is a Class I hitch?
How much can a Class 5 receiver hitch tow?
What is a Class 2 trailer hitch?
CURT class 1 hitches are typically rated to tow up to 2,000 pounds gross trailer weight and 200 pounds tongue weight. That being said, each hitch is unique. It is vitally important that you know your own hitch's towing capacity, as well as the capacity of your vehicle and other towing components.
- Hitch Classes: An Overview
- Class 1 Hitch
- Class 2 Hitch
- Class 3 Hitch
- Class 4 Hitch
- Class 5 Hitch
- Other Trailer Hitch Classes
- What Hitch Do You have?
It’s important to note that when we are talking about trailer hitch classes, we’re specifically referring to receiver hitches. Receiver hitches are one of several types of hitches, which is why we need to call that out. Receiver hitches are usually mounted to a vehicle’s frame and provide a square hole called a receiver tube, where you can attach d...
A Class 1 (or Class I) hitch is the “starting point” of the trailer hitch classes. These hitches are usually rated for up to 2,000 lbs of towing and a maximum tongue weight of 200 lbs. They’ll have receiver tube openings between 1-1/4″ to 2″. Class 1 hitches are usually used on cars, sedans, minivans, crossovers, and small SUVs. Class 1 hitches can...
A Class 2 (or Class II) hitch can carry a bit more weight than a Class 1 hitch. Class 2 hitches can handle up to 3,500 lbs of weight carrying and a maximum tongue weight of 350 lbs. They also have receiver tube openings between 1-1/4″ to 2″. Class 2 hitches are found on sedans, vans, SUVs, and some light duty trucks like the Toyota Tacoma, Chevy Co...
A Class 3 (or Class III) hitch is the most common hitch you’ll see on the road. A Class 3 trailer hitch can handle up to 8,000 lbs of towing (depending on the hitch manufacturer and model), and a maximum tongue weight of up to 800 lbs (also manufacturer/model dependent). Class 3 hitches usually have receiver openings of 2″. Class 3 hitches are ofte...
Class 4 (Class IV) hitches are found on larger trucks and SUVs. A Class 4 hitch can handle up to 12,000 lbs of towing and up to 1,200 lbs of tongue weight (depending on the make and model of your hitch). Class 4 hitches typically have 2″ receiver openings. These hitches are best for towing large boats, toy haulers, travel trailers, utility trailers...
Class 5 (Class V) hitches are the highest-rated hitch class out there. Class 5 hitches boast a max towing capability of up to 20,000 lbs and up to a 2,700 lb max tongue weight. Class 4 hitches typically have 2″ to 3″ receiver openings. This high weight capacity makes them great for pulling large travel trailers, toy haulers, multi-car trailers, lar...
As RVs and travel trailers continue to get heavier, hitch manufacturers have started to see demand for receiver hitches that go beyond a 20,000 lb max towing load. Some manufacturers have options that can handle up to 30,000 lbs and a max tongue weight of 3,000 lbs, but these don’t have an “official” class rating. The main issue of these higher-rat...
If you already have a hitch installed and are wondering what class it is, check out our guide on how to tell what class hitch you have. In that guide, we cover some quick and easy ways to identify your hitch.
Class 1: If you drive a car or crossover, you likely have a Class 1 hitch. Class 1 hitches have 1-1/4-inch receiver sizes, and have a GTW capacity of up to 2,000 lbs. and a TW capacity of up to 200 lbs. Class 2: If you drive a minivan or have a car or crossover that is on the bigger or more heavy-duty side, you likely have a Class 2 hitch.
Considered weight carrying hitches – Class I hitches are typically rated up to a maximum of 200 tongue weight and 2,000 pounds towing and traditionally come in a 1 ¼” receiver with few hitches available in 2” as well. Most vehicles in this hitch class include compact cars, sedans and SUVs.
A regular-duty receiver hitch can tow up to 3,500 lbs. and has a tongue weight of 350 lbs. Tow vehicles which usually have a Class 2 type of hitch receiver installed include midsize cars, minivans, small pickup trucks, and midsize SUV's.
Class 1 and 2 trailer hitches are equipped with a 1-1/4-inch receiver and can tow up to 2,000 pounds and 3,500 pounds respectively. A Class 3 hitch has a 2-inch receiver and can be used for towing up to 8,000 pounds.
