Everthere Trailer Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier

Everthere Trailer Hitch Mounted Cargo Carrier

The days of keeping your hitch ball always installed in your trailer hitch are gone. Today there are so many uses for a receiver hitch, you don’t want the ball to be in your way when you’re not towing a trailer.

For example, we will soon be offering a hitch mounted carrier that could change the way you travel with your stuff. The Everthere Carrier, when installed, provides a 24” x 54″ platform with a 400 lb capacity outside of your vehicle’s current cargo area! Not only is that great for vacations and tent camping, golf trips, and hunting expeditions, but if you need to haul something really dirty or oversized, you can put it on your hitch carrier, and you’re off with no problems.

What I love about the Everthere Carrier, which is available in black or silver, is that when you don’t need the extra cargo space, you can fold it up, put it in it’s own carry case, and store it neatly in or out of your vehicle. Folded, the Everthere measures a mere 25″ x 9″ x 19″.

This hitch mounted carrier fits a class III receiver (2 inch opening), but there is a 1 1/4″ hitch conversion kit available for class II receivers. Also check out the large and midsize travel bags; they fit beautifully on the carrier and provide superior protection from the elements.

Here at TrailerHitchUniverse.com, we’re thrilled to offer you the best trailer hitch accessories; we are adding more all the time and encourage you to check back often. And remember to always secure your carrier with a locking hitch pin and protect your receiver hitch when you are not towing or hauling with a trailer hitch cover–no one wants to see a dirty, naked trailer hitch on the back of your SUV, car, or truck.

Happy Trails!

Ultimate Tailgate Truck - No Trailer Hitch Required

You may have seen our blog post about tailgating with your trailer hitch. Well, I found something today that will blow most other tailgating rigs out of the water. You probably have your trailer hitch cover, and maybe even have a trailer hitch-mounted grill. But you don’t have the GMC Sierra NFL Crew Cab that debuted at the 2006 SEMA show in Las Vegas. It comes with an uplevel pull-out tailgating system, complete with a barbecue grille, cutting board and cooler. A KVH satellite system and 50-inch Panasonic plasma screen allow revelers to catch up on vital sports news before entering the stadium. The luxurious interior features football leather seating surfaces with solid piping. And it even comes equipped with a trailer hitch, so you can transfer your team trailer hitch cover from your old truck to this one. It is a concept truck that will probably never go into production, but it is fun to dream…

If you want to see more details, try Autoblog, Serious Wheels, or MSN Autos . I have posted a couple of my favorite pics below (from MSN Autos).

Using Your Trailer Hitch - Towing Safety

There may be no better feeling than heading out on the open road pulling your RV behind you. But towing a trailer is different than just driving your vehicle by itself. It means changes in acceleration, braking, and handling. Successful and safe trailering takes proper towing accessories that must be used properly. If you do not use the correct towing accessories and drive properly, you can lose control when you pull a trailer. For example, if your trailer is too heavy, the brakes may not be able to handle the load. If the trailer is not properly attached to the trailer hitch, it could become separated from the towing vehicle. You and your passengers could be seriously injured; you could also cause serious damage to your vehicle. But, by being aware of a few basic rules of towing safety you can avoid being a part of potentially hazardous conditions.

Trailer Hitches

First, you need to make sure that you have the correct trailer hitch, and that it is securely attached to your vehicle. Strong cross winds, large semi trucks passing, and rough or uneven roads are just a few reasons why you need to have the right trailer hitch installed on your car or truck. If your vehicle did not come with a factory installed towing package, be certain to use a reputable trailer hitch installation center.

Safety Chains

Once you have hitched your trailer to your vehicle, you should always attach safety chains between them. Cross the safety chains under the tongue of the trailer to help prevent the tongue of the trailer from hitting the road in the event it becomes separated from the trailer hitch. Do not attach the safety chains to the bumper of your vehicle. Always leave just enough slack in the chains so you can turn the rig, but not so much that the chains drag on the ground. Instructions about safety chains and other towing accessories should be available from the manufacturers of the trailer hitch or the trailer.

Trailer Lights

After hitching the trailer to the vehicle you must hook up the trailer lights. Before starting out on your trip, do a visual check of the trailer lights by having someone stand behind the trailer as you step on the brakes, turn on the turn signals, etc. The brake lights on the trailer should light up when you depress the brake pedal in the vehicle and the signal lights should respond to turning on the blinkers. The arrows on your vehicle’s instrument panel will flash each time you use the turn signal. If your trailer lights are properly connected, the trailer lamps will also flash, signaling to other drivers that you are about to change lanes or turn. However, the arrows on the instrument panel will flash even if the bulbs on the trailer are burned out. It is important to do an occasional check of the trailer lights during your trip to be sure the connection is still secure and the bulbs are still working.

Driving

Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience, so before setting out for the open road, take some time to become familiar with driving your rig. Keep in mind that the combination of your vehicle and trailer is much longer and less responsive than your vehicle by itself. Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle in front of you as you would when driving without a trailer. This practice will help you avoid potentially dangerous situations that would require hard braking and sudden turns. When passing another car or truck you will need to keep in mind that your rig is significantly longer, and allow more passing distance ahead. In addition you’ll need to go much farther beyond the passed vehicle before returning to your lane.

Finally, during your trip take the time to check occasionally to make certain that the load is secure, the trailer hitch and towing accessories are working properly, and that the lamps and trailer lights are still working.

Enjoy your trip!

New NCAA and NASCAR Trailer Hitch Covers Just Added!

We are pleased to announce that today we have added almost 150 new hitch covers to our site, bringing our our total to almost 300! Our NCAA hitch cover category has increased by 120 hitch covers, and now includes 65 Colleges and Universities. NCAA hitch covers just added include:

• University of Colorado hitch covers
• Southern California hitch covers
• West Virginia hitch covers
• Notre Dame hitch covers
• UCLA hitch covers
• Maryland hitch covers
• Duke hitch covers
• Arizona hitch covers
• Arizona State hitch covers

We now have multiple styles available for many schools, including Tailgater Bottle Opener Hitch Covers, which have a working built-in bottle opener!! They are perfect for tailgating! Check out the NCAA Hitch Cover category page to see our selection for your favorite school.

Also added today are NASCAR hitch covers for many of the top drivers! Our selection consists of 11 of NASCAR’s best, including:

• #8 Dale Earhnardt, Jr. hitch covers
• #24 Jeff Gordon hitch covers
• #20 Tony Stewart hitch covers
• #3, RCR hitch covers

Tailgate Bottle Opener Hitch Covers are available for all of our drivers, so check out our NASCAR Trailer Hitch Covers page and pick one up today!

We hope you are as excited about our new products as we are!!

Trailer Hitch Cover, Tow Hitch Cover, Hitch Receiver Cover—What’s the Difference??

When searching online for hitch covers, you are sure to find products that seem to be the same, but have different names—there are trailer hitch covers, tow hitch covers, hitch receiver covers, and just plain hitch covers. So, what do they all mean?? Is there a difference between the different ones? The answer is no. They all describe the same thing—a cover for your hitch. Hitch covers protect your trailer hitch by keeping dirt and other grime from getting into your hitch receiver. Trailer hitches and tow hitches are the same thing, just known by different names by different people. Hitch receivers are part of the hitch—the square metal tube where the hitch ball mount is inserted. The reason there are so many different names is that there are so many different names for trailer hitches themselves, and the trailer hitch accessory industry wants you to know that there is a product for you, regardless of whether are looking for a trailer hitch cover, a tow hitch cover, a hitch receiver cover, or any other combination of hitch + cover!!

Trailer Hitch Locks - Receiver Locks & Coupler Locks

As any kid knows, having a toy stolen can definitely ruin your day. Now that you have grown up–or at least grown older–your toys have become much more expensive. And because trailer hitches, trailers, and/or other accessories spend a lot of time outside, they are very attractive to would-be thieves. The good news is that locks are available to keep them safe and secure.

Locks are available in many different styles to protect all of your receivers, hitch accessories and even trailers. The most basic receiver lock is a hitch pin with a lock on the end instead of the standard clip. It makes it nearly impossible to steal the hitch cover, receiver, or other hitch accessory that has been installed. Receiver locks are available in padlock and flush designs, and come in sizes to fit both 1-1/4� and 2� receivers. Receiver locks run anywhere from $10-25, depending on style and materials.

There are several products available for securing your trailer when you are not towing. Coupler locks attach to either the trigger or the actual coupler to prevent someone from hitching the trailer and driving away. They range from $10 for a simple trigger style lock to $50 for a heavy-duty coupler lock. Coupler locks are also available for gooseneck/fifth wheel hitches, and range from $50-80.

Manufacturers have tried to reduce the hassle of having several different locks by offering locks that are keyed alike. Having to keep track of only one key for all your locks makes life just a little bit easier.

With all the money that you have invested in your hitch, trailer (or trailers!), and other hitch accessories, spending a few bucks on a quality lock should be a no-brainer. The security that locks give you is well worth the cost, and will ensure that you continue to enjoy your “big-kid� toys.

Trailer Hitch Classification System

Trailer hitches are divided into five categories based on the weights they can tow and support. They are rated by Gross Towed Weight (GTW), which includes the weight of the trailer and all cargo. The tongue weight is the weight that rests directly on the trailer hitch. The hitch classes are listed below, along with their weight limits and vehicles that are recommended for each class.

It is very important to note that the rating of the trailer hitch is only part of the equation. You will only be able to tow as much as your vehicle can pull, regardless of the hitch you install. Your suspension, transmission, and braking systems all have an effect on how much you can tow. You should always follow the manufacturer’s recommendation in your owner’s guide when towing any size load.

Class I - Light Duty
Max GTW: 2,000 pounds
Max Tongue Weight: 200 pounds
Recommended for: All Vehicles

Class II - Medium Duty
Max GTW: 3,500 pounds
Max Tongue Weight: 350 pounds
Recommended for: Mid-size cars and larger

Class III - Heavy Duty
Max GTW: 5,000 pounds
Max Tongue Weight: 500 pounds
Recommended for: Mid-size trucks, SUV’s, full size cars and larger

Class IV - Heavy Duty
Max GTW: 7,500 pounds
Max Tongue Weight: 1,000 pounds
Recommended for: Mid-size trucks, SUV’s, full size cars and larger

Class V - Extra-Heavy Duty
Max GTW: 10,000 pounds
Max Tongue Weight: 1,200 pounds
Recommended for: Full-size trucks, vans, and SUV’s

The trailer hitch classes listed above were developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers. More information on their standards can be found at the SAE website, http://www.sae.org/.

Installing Your Trailer Hitch Cover

As retailers of trailer hitch covers, the most common concern we hear from customers is the fear that the trailer hitch cover they purchase wont fit in their hitch receiver. In reality, this is something you rarely need to worry about. Trailer hitch cover manufacturers create their products considering the hitch classes, and make their hitch covers as universal as possible. Most hitch covers come with multiple installation pieces to fit different size receivers (usually 1 1/4� to 2 1/2�).

Whichever class trailer hitch you have, choosing the right attachment to use for your vehicle is easy. Simply measure the receiver opening along one edge (inside edge to inside edge), and note the dimension. Then, have a look at the mounting pieces that your hitch cover came with. Use the mounting piece which is closest to the actual size of your receiver, and is smaller than the opening.

Attaching the mounting pieces to the hitch cover is generally simple, and requires only a phillips head screwdriver. Once the mounting pieces are joined to the hitch cover, you’re ready to attach the hitch cover to the hitch. It’s as easy as it looks - simply slide the hitch cover into the receiver, and slide your hitch pin through the side, making sure that the hitch pin hole on the receiver is lined up with one of the holes on the trailer hitch cover. In some cases, this may require the trailer hitch cover to stick out a bit from the hitch - if this happens, don’t worry. Your hitch cover is still perfectly secure and the slight difference is virtually unnoticeable from behind.

You’re all set! All thats left now is cruising around with your beautiful new trailer hitch cover, so get going!

Ultimate Tailgating with Your Trailer Hitch

I recently ran across a pretty good article on how to use your hitch to make the most of your tailgating party. Here it is…

Ultimate Tailgating with Your Trailer Hitch

All across the country, the leaves on the trees are changing colors, and the cool, crisp days of fall are not far off. For thousands of fans across the country, that means one thing: football season is here. For die-hard fans, the start of football season also means the start of tailgating season. From “The Swamp� at the University of Florida to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, fans are packing up grills, filling coolers, and heading to the stadium hours before kickoff to celebrate the full game-day experience.

First, the basics. No tailgate party would be complete without a grill, plenty of meat (with all the fixins’), and a cooler full of beverages. More elaborate setups can include furniture, canopies, music, and even satellite TV. Your parking spot is also important; securing a spot in a lot close to the stadium ensures that you can enjoy your party and still get to the game before kickoff.

Hitch Covers

Many sports fans have trailer hitches on their vehicles for towing boats, campers, and all sorts of trailers. With a little work, these same hitches can be used to bring your tailgating experience to another level. Vendors of trailer hitch accessories sell everything you need to put your trailer hitch to work on game day. The most basic (and economical) option is to show your team spirit with a trailer hitch cover with your team’s logo on it. There are many styles available for just about every team out there - NFL hitch covers, MLB hitch covers, and NCAA hitch covers are just the beginning.  If you can’t find a hitch cover for your favorite team, some manufacturers also produce customized hitch covers that you can personalize. An added benefit of trailer hitch covers is that they keep dirt and grime out of your hitch receiver when you are not towing.

Grills and Cargo Carriers

Beyond trailer hitch covers, there are several other trailer hitch accessories that will allow you to use your trailer hitch to put on the ultimate tailgate party. Transporting grills, coolers, tables, chairs, and everything else from home to the stadium takes a lot of space. Fortunately, the trailer hitch industry has come up with several great solutions for those of us that constantly run out of room for stuff (and people!) in our vehicles.

If lack of space is holding you back from throwing the kind of tailgate you would like to, trailer hitch mounted cargo carriers are a terrific way to add cargo capacity to your vehicle. The cargo carriers are essentially a platform that can carry several hundred pounds and are perfect for coolers, grills, and other tailgating essentials. In addition to adding cargo space, carrying the cargo on a hitch-mounted carrier keeps the mess outside of the vehicle and cuts down on post-game cleaning. And once you have a carrier, you can use it any time you need more space - family road trips, moving, camping, etc.

Small, portable grills will get the job done for small parties, but for large gatherings a full-size grill is a must. Rather than loading up your patio grill in the back of your truck or SUV, you can now buy a hitch-mounted grill. Some models come equipped with swing arms that allow you to move the grill out of the way of the tailgate and use the grill without ever disconnecting it from the vehicle. If you are planning on throwing the largest of parties, a trailer-mounted grill might be your best bet. These grills have the space to feed as many hungry fans as you want!

Whether you are a tailgating rookie, or a veteran of more seasons than you can remember, using your trailer hitch can allow you to take your tailgate party to the next level. Whether it is as simple as a trailer hitch cover with your favorite team’s logo, or as elaborate as a hitch mounted grill, using your hitch can have you tailgating in style all season long!

Welcome to TrailerHitchUniverse.com!

TrailerHitchUniverse.com is a family-owned and operated website that was created to fill a void that we found in online trailer hitch and trailer hitch accessory stores. We felt there was a lack of quality, user friendly sites to choose from. We have modeled our website with our customers in mind, and have constructed it to be simple and easy to use.

Currently, we are excited to offer you an incredible selection of custom trailer hitch covers. We offer over 100 different hitch covers with different styles, colors and brands from the best trailer hitch accessory manufacturers in the world. We know that today’s truck and SUV owner is looking for function, quality, and style - and we’re here to make sure their trailer hitch covers give them all of those things for some of the lowest prices on the web!

We provide our customers with a wide selection of products in the following categories:

• Sports, including NFL hitch covers, NBA hitch covers, MLB hitch covers, NHL hitch covers and NCAA hitch covers for the college fans out there.
• Outdoors, including hunting and fishing hitch covers.
• And many others, from armed forces and political to Motorcycle-themed and propellor hitch covers.

When you order a trailer hitch cover from TrailerHitchUniverse.com, you can be assured that your order will be shipped quickly and correctly - we pride ourselves on getting orders correct the first time, every time. However, if you have any questions or comments, or just want to say “hi�, please feel free to contact us at any time.

We are always in the process of expanding our selection of products, so if you would like to see something on or site, just let us know.
We look forward to serving you.

Sincerely,

TrailerHitchUniverse.com