Trailer Hitches

Durable Trailer Hitches - Perfect Fit for Any Vehicle

At Eyers Hitch Center Inc., we understand that finding the right trailer hitch is crucial to your towing needs. Our hitches come in various types and weight classes, each designed to match your specific towing requirements. Call us at 408-248-4454 or stop by the shop to discuss your towing needs.

Trailer Hitches: A Customer's Journey

What Exactly Goes Into the Selection of Trailer Hitches for Your Towing Situation?

Here's a typical conversation that an Eyer's technician will have when someone calls us to get a quote on hitching up a vehicle:

Customer: Hi, I'd like to get a quote on a hitch.

Eyers Tech: OK, what kind of vehicle does this hitch need to be installed on?

Customer: I need a trailer hitch for a 2011 BMW X5.

Eyers Tech: What type of trailer do you want to tow?

Customer: Well, I'm looking at one of those pop-up tent trailers you tow behind your car.

Eyers Tech: Do you know how much the trailer you want to buy weighs?

Customer: Not really. Oh, and I also want to get one of those bike racks that slide into the hitch.

Eyers Tech: OK. Just to let you know, most of the bike racks available are designed for the Class 3 - the 2" square receiver-style hitches, so I think we should just look at that size hitch. Your tent trailer doesn't weigh more than 3500 lbs. loaded, so this hitch will be fine. Now, what size ball will you need? And what are the wiring requirements of the tent trailer you want?

Customer: I need to find out. I have yet to buy it.

Eyers Tech: In your case, I recommend that you select the specific trailer you want first, and then we can set your ball and wiring up specifically for the trailer you purchase. The tent trailers all have different wiring requirements and plugs. Some have electric brakes, some need a charge line, and some don't. Once I know what you need, I can quote you based on what we need to do for you.
Examples of Towing Situations We Help Customers Navigate

As you can see, every towing situation is different, depending on what you want to tow. Sometimes, customers inquire about tow hitches, and our technicians ask them what they need. It turns out that what they want to tow is totally dangerous for their car.

One person called and wanted to tow a 2-horse trailer with his Ford Mustang! His Mustang was only rated to tow up to 2000 lbs.! He tried every which way to get our team to tell him it was OK to do what he wanted to do. We couldn't do that as we are legally responsible for " hitching" you up safely.

What Trailer Hitches Are Right for You in Your Towing Situations?

You and your qualified hitch installer will answer this question before deciding on the equipment you will purchase to tow.

The better informed you are, and the more you understand exactly what is going on when you tow, the safer you will be. So, let's get started.

Types of Trailer Hitches

Hitches are divided into five Classes, each with a maximum Tongue Weight (TW) limit and a maximum Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) limit. The maximum limits for a Class on your particular vehicle may be less than the upper limits for that Class because both the physical strength of the hitch structure and a particular vehicle's weight capacity limitations are considered when a hitch is rated by the manufacturer.

Example of Hitch Class

For example, a small vehicle might be equipped with a Class I hitch rated by the manufacturer at 100 lbs. TW and 1,000 lbs. GTW. In contrast, a larger vehicle might have the identical hitch installed but be rated by the manufacturer at 200 lbs. TW and 2,000 lbs. GTW. The TW limit also changes when a weight-distributing system is used with Class III or IV Receivers.

Always consult your vehicle owner's manual for information about trailer towing and your vehicle's weight capacity limitations. This can also be obtained by writing to the vehicle's manufacturer.

Trailer Hitch Classes

Fixed Tongue Hitch

Alternative Name: Fixed Drawbar Hitch

Everything is permanently installed in place and remains so when you are unhitched.
The main disadvantage is that the tongue sticks out as a "shin buster" when the hitch is unused.
These style hitches are decreasing in popularity and are seldom installed anymore.
A fixed tongue hitch can be used as a weight-carrying hitch only.

Receiver Style Hitches

Alternative Name: Box Hitch or Tube Hitch

The ball mount (ball platform) is removable when the hitch is unused. This leaves the hitch's opening about even with your bumper.
The most popular style of hitch is what you see on most trucks, SUVs, RVs, and vans.
Best choice when using bike racks, motorcycle racks, cargo racks, etc.
Available with two size openings, 1 1/4" and 2".
Class I and II receiver-style hitches can only be used as weight-carrying for towing.
Class III, IV, and V receiver-style hitches can be used either as a weight-carrying hitch or as a weight-distributing hitch when adding a weight-distribution system. (See Weight Distribution Hitches.)
Receivers can also be installed on the front of your vehicle to make launching and recovering boats easier, attach bike racks while towing a trailer, or mount a winch.

Additional Hitches We Install

We sell and install Curt, Draw-Tite, Stealth, Torklift, and other factory-made hitches designed to fit your vehicle. Many bolt-ons use existing holes and require no drilling.

We stock hitches for many vehicles. Less frequently used hitches can be special ordered for delivery within one - two business days in most cases, depending on the hitch's shipping origin.