With summer underway, now is a great time to take a road trip. You might need to tow a trailer or boat along for the ride, so if your truck doesn’t come with a trailer hitch, you’ll need to get one. Here, the experts at Line-X of Troy in Troy, OH, share some valuable information about choosing the right hitch for your vehicle.

A Guide for Choosing the Best Trailer Hitch

Weight Capacity

Before you begin towing anything, you must know the maximum weight your vehicle is capable of handling and how much your load weighs. You can usually find your truck’s towing weight on a plate or sticker near the driver's door. For trailers, the empty weight is often listed on the unit, but you’ll have to get weighed at a scale to ensure it’s not overloaded. 

Weight Distribution

Having the right weight capacity isn’t enough; you also have to make sure your load is evenly balanced. If the trailer hitch is too lightweight, it can cause the attached load to sway during transport. If it’s too heavy, steering the towing truck or car will be difficult. However, finding the right balance between the load and the hitch will help prevent unfortunate accidents on the road and make traveling easier.

Towing

Once you get the right trailer hitch and balance the weight of your load, it’s time to tow. However, before you get on the road, understand the towing capabilities of your vehicle. Study the owner’s manual for a better understanding of what you will expect driving the truck or car with an attached trailer. You can also seek out the dealer or manufacturer for information if the manual isn’t available. 

Line-X of Troy is the go-to shop for a variety of high-quality Jeep® and truck accessories, including trailer hitches. Their friendly staff is knowledgeable about the industry, so they can help you find exactly what you need. To speak with a helpful representative, call (937) 335-0569 today. You can also visit them online to view their products, including step bars and lift kits.