Receiver Hitches: What are They and Why Do I Need One?

Receiver hitches are but one of the many types of hitches we sell here at Auto Truck Depot.  A hitch is just a piece of equipment that enables you to attach a trailer or object to your truck or vehicle.  There are ball hitches, gooseneck hitches, weight distribution hitches, fifth wheel hitches, ball hitches, and receiver hitches.  A receiver hitch is a type of hitch that contains a “receptacle” that can accommodate an insert, such as a ball mount or bike rack.
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We don’t sell a phenomenal amount of receiver hitches at Auto Truck Depot because the types of customers we see daily usually have large trailer needs for which receiver hitches just aren’t suitable.  We do get, however, cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts who come in to purchase a receiver hitch for their larger bike racks or smaller trailers.  A receiver hitch would be well suited for someone who wishes to attach a smaller trailer to their vehicle to haul their four-wheeler or jet-ski.  It would not be suited for someone who want to hook up a horse trailer and so that they can drive their 18 hands high Shire horse to a show.  It would also not be suitable for someone who wants to haul a camper behind their vehicle.  However, it would be suitable to put on an RV for the purpose of hauling your Honda Civic behind it.

Receiver hitches –even the industrial duty ones, top out at about 15,000 pounds loaded weight—that’s the trailer weight, fuel weight, and cargo weight.  Usually, people will purchase a receiver hitch when they are looking to haul something that is less than 10,000 pounds.  Beyond that most folks upgrade to a fifth wheel, gooseneck, or other type of weight distribution hitch.  It’s just safer that way.  But if you aren’t intending to haul a herd of steer or a yacht behind your truck then you can absolutely get away with purchasing receiver hitches.

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