Just Keep Pullin’

By Ryan Beaty

DIESEL TECH’S

By Ryan Beaty

Just Keep Pullin’

A look at the latest tow hitch options

Are you ready to buy a tow hitch but you’re not sure where to start looking or what would be right for you? We’ve got you covered with a list of different hitches from some of the leading manufacturers that are sure to keep whatever it is you’re towing secure.

Andersen

Crafted to meet the towing needs of travelers, hard workers, and outdoorsmen, Andersen Hitches’ Rapid Hitch is made of polished aluminum that will never chip, peel, or rust. The adjustable design allows for a simple towing experience. Just pull the pin, adjust the height, and slip the pin back in place. And the short version of their Original Rapid Hitch features a 4-inch drop/rise. (208-523-6460 // www.andersenhitches.com)

B&W

Built for the truck owner who has everything and needs to tow it, the B&W 2.5-inch receiver Tow & Stow with a 5-inch drop and tri ball is equipped with multiple ball sizes and adjusts in 1-inch increments to the height of your trailer for level towing. Best of all, it stows when you aren’t using it away from your shins and the garage door. Machined from American steel with a two-stage finish, the Tow and Stow tri ball hitch is the last hitch you will ever need. (800-810-4918 // www.bwtrailerhitches.com)

Blue Ox

Every avid adventurer loves to load their truck with everything they may want or need, which means towing is a question that needs to be asked at some point. But what if you have a lifted truck? No, let’s make sure you read that right—what if you have a LIFTED truck? Well the Blue Ox BXH12271 is the hitch you need for the truck that requires powered running board steps to get in the driver’s seat. Rated up to 12,000 pounds of carrying capacity and with 2-1/2-inch receiver, the real asset to the BXH12271 hitch is that it has a 7-inch drop/rise, so no matter how high your truck has been lifted or how tall your large wheels and tires are, this hitch can be adjusted for perfectly level towing. (402-385-3051 // www.blueox.com)

BulletProof

When it comes to the HD256 – 2.5-inch Heavy Duty 6-inch Drop/Rise Hitch, there’s a reason they call their hitches bulletproof—the Heavy Duty and Extreme Duty hitch shanks are solid steel all the way through and have chamfered edges so they can easily slide into and out of your hitch receiver. The Solid Steel Shank also comes with two pin holes on the shank for more adjustment options, and the textured powder-coated finish that comes on all of their hitches creates a durable surface to help protect your hitch. With their Heavy Duty hitch, each adjustable mount includes a two-ball platform, which fits in the adjustable channel of the hitch. The two hitch balls are welded together onto the solid steel platform for maximum strength and stability. (941-251-8110 // www.bulletproofhitches.com)

CURT

CURT, a Lippert brand, offers a complete line of towing products and all are manufactured in the USA for a custom fit. The manufacturer offers a broad selection of custom-fit receiver hitches for nearly every vehicle on the road today including gooseneck, fifth wheel and weight distribution hitches, as well as electrical components, ball mounts, trailer balls, cargo carriers, bike racks and other towing accessories.

One popular hitch is CURT’s CrossWing fifth wheel hitch that is designed to raise the bar on towing. It is engineered to be solid yet easy to handle by combining robust strength with state-of-the-art technology, all while remaining lightweight. Compared to traditional fifth wheel hitches, the CrossWing is 65 percent lighter with a main body weight of only 60 pounds. And with its lightweight design, assembly and installation are a breeze and can be done by one person with no extra hassle.

Although it is light in weight, the CrossWing’s strength and toughness are not jeopardized. It is constructed with tough, premium steel that offers 20,000-pound weight capacity, and has a reinforced head connection point that provides exceptional strength. Its unique coupling system eliminates guesswork by offering a visible contact surface, and its head channel guides the kingpin into place for easier hookup, saving time you can spend on the road instead.

In addition to its strength, the CrossWing is packed with cutting-edge technology that is a step above the rest. It allows fore, aft and lateral head articulation when connecting on uneven terrain, and features ShockDrop technology that reduces jerking and jarring for an overall smoother tow. It also contains an easy-to-reach release handle for ergonomic operation, and three points of height adjustment. Finally, the CrossWing is finished with a premium, carbide textured black powder coating that protects against rust, ensuring this fifth wheel hitch will provide comfortable, superior rides through many miles to come. (877-287-8634 // www.curtmfg.com)

Draw-Tite

When a traditional ball mount just won’t do, turn to the Draw-Tite Adjustable Trailer Hitch Ball Mount. This heavy-duty ball mount has a capacity of 14,000 pounds, and is made to handle the tough towing jobs, with offerings ranging from high-capacity tri-ball mounts, to tow hooks, recovery rings, and everything in between. This ball mount allows you to tackle heavier, bulkier, unique towing needs with shanks that still fit a 2-inch receiver tube, so you can use the hitch you already have. (800-632-3290 // www.draw-tite.com)

GEN-Y

The Gen Y Mega-Duty 10k Drop Hitch is a fully adjustable hitch perfect for anyone towing with multiple applications. The Mega-Duty Hitch is designed with safety in mind, and can be utilized by boaters, off-roaders, and any serious outdoorsmen. Furthermore, this hitch can be used for other applications, including any bicycle rack, cargo rack, motorcycle carrier, etc. The Mega-Duty Drop Hitch stands apart from its competition due to its adjustability. You can easily adjust the height of the attachment by removing the pin and moving the ball mount to the desired height, making it perfect for any lifted truck. This hitch makes towing a breeze as it’s fast and easy to use, and it also ensures that the trailer is being towed as level as possible. (574-218-6363 // www.genyhitch.com)

Weigh Safe

The Weigh Safe Aluminum Adjustable Drop Hitch is the one and only trailer hitch with a built-in scale that signals you to adjust your load before you hit the road, resulting in a much safer and enjoyable towing experience. Before this best-selling ball mount, gauging your trailer’s tongue weight was a hassle. You had to rely on inefficient bathroom scales, make a trip to the weigh station, or purchase a separate tongue weight scale. But with the Weigh Safe’s built-in scale, measuring your tongue weight is as easy as coupling your trailer to your ball mount. Simply hook up your trailer to the Weigh Safe ball mount just as you would any other ball mount. The weight of your trailer will push down on the hitch ball, which in turn pushes down on an internal hydraulic piston that sits on a bed of oil. When the piston drops into the oil, the pressure reading is sent out to the scale. (801-820-7020 // www.weigh-safe.com)

Other companies to consider:

Equal-i-zer

800-478-5578 // www.equalizerhitch.com

Fastway Trailer Products

877-523-9103 // www.fastwaytrailer.com

Husky Towing Products

833-727-8784 // www.huskytow.com

REESE TOWPOWER

800-632-3290 // www.reesetowpower.com

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