Hitch Covers

Whether you drive a pickup truck or an SUV, there are many reasons that you may be in the market for a hitch cover. Hitch covers, also known as hitch receiver covers or tow hitch covers, are used to protect or personalize a hitch when it's not being used to pull a boat, a camper, trailer cargo, or other accessories.

While there are several types of hitches -- ball, gooseneck and fifth-wheel -- most pickup trucks and SUVs have ball hitches because they are more versatile than the other types of hitches. The ball hitch -- made of a metal ball that is attached or mounted on the rear bumper of the truck or SUV -- has an opening called the "receiver opening", which, when left uncovered, can pose potential danger, since it has sharp edges.

A hitch cover is a great way to prevent potential injury from an exposed receiver opening. However, before purchasing a hitch cover, take note of the type of hitch your truck or SUV has and its size, which will determine what kind of hitch cover is needed.

Hitch sizes

According to the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), there are three (3) ball hitch sizes:

1 7/8", which can tow up to 2000 pounds;
2" which can tow from 3500 - 10,000 pounds,
and 2 5/16", which can tow between 6,000 - 10,000 pounds, depending on the bolt diameter (which can range from 3/4" - 1 1/4").

Types of hitch covers

Metal: Metal hitch covers can be made of copper, steel, or aluminum. They provide the best protection, are extremely durable, and consequently, are more expensive than their cheaper plastic counterparts.
Plastic: Though less expensive than the metal covers, these hitch covers are an extremely cost-effective product. Additionally, because of their low price, they can be swapped out periodically, as desired by the vehicle owner.
Vanity covers: Whether to show American patriotism, loyalty to a favorite NBA or NFL team, or simply to let the world know that the driver is "spoiled", there are vanity hitch covers to suit just about any need.

The advantages and disadvantages of hitch covers

Because of the inherent dangers an exposed receiver cover poses, the most significant advantage of a hitch cover is to prevent potential bodily injury to a person or animal. The only disadvantage of a hitch cover -- though minimal -- is the additional cost incurred by the vehicle owner, since it is an optional accessory.