In the day-to-day operations of our store, we run across more trailer hitch accessories than you ever imagined existed. From the basic trailer hitch covers and steps to trailer hitch mounted bike racks, cargo carriers, and even grills, we get to see it all. So we have decided to take a little time to write about our favorites. Not just the ones that we sell, but accessories that we think are cool, and that we think you would want to know about. We have no set schedule for these posts–we don’t even know which hitch accessories are going to inspire us to write! Check back every so often to see the trailer hitch accessories that we think are the best, the most useful, or maybe just the most fun to look at and think about splurging on… And if you see a trailer hitch accessory that you think we should know about, please let us know. Enjoy.
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).
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:
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:
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!!
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!!
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 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/.
Trailer Hitch Accessories | Nate, 9 Dec 06 | 
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