Receiver Hitches

Want to add a hitch to your SUV or truck, but aren't sure how to go about it? Before you can purchase a hitch, you will need to know what a receiver hitch is and how it works. A receiver hitch, also known as a receiver-style hitch, is a device that is mounted onto the bumper of a truck or SUV and can receive different kinds of inserted hitches. Typically, receiver hitches for trucks and SUVs are 1 1/4" - 2" in diameter and can accommodate drawbar, ball-mount, fixed-tongue, bolt-on, and round-tube inserts.

Common Types of Receiver Hitches

• The Drawbar: A drawbar receiver hitch has a removable platform that fastens with a pin and clip to the hitch.
• The Ball Mount: Ball mount receiver hitches fasten with a pin and clip and are removable. Usually, ball mount heights can be adjusted, depending on the towing capacity needed, by raising and/or lowering the height of the ball mount, as needed.
• Fixed Tongue: As the name implies, the receiver hitch has a non-removable hitch with a tongue, or ball platform.
• Bolt-on: Bolt-on hitch receivers are different than drawbar, ball mount and fixed-tongue hitches in that they bolt-on directly to the tow vehicle’s bumper, connecting the tow vehicle to the trailer.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Receivers Hitches

The advantage of receiver hitches are that, with the exception of the fixed-tongue variety, they are removable and, thus, convenient, portable, and transferable to other vehicles, if necessary. The disadvantage is that with this portability comes a limited towing capacity. Additionally, receiver hitches can be a significant additional expense, ranging from a couple hundred to several hundred dollars, depending on the brand and make and towing capacity you require.