What Is the Difference Between a Class III & a Class IV Receiver Hitch?
by Christopher JacksonThere are five classes of regular-duty, receiver-type trailer hitches, graded from I (one) to V (five) in terms of load capacity and intended use. The capacity of the hitch is as important as the towing capacity of the vehicle itself.
Light-Duty Hitches
Receiver hitches mount below the rear bumper and are attached to the frame of the vehicle. A Class I hitch is the smallest; it's designed for use on passenger cars and is rated to tow up to 2,000 pounds. The slightly larger Class II hitch can handle up to 3,500 pounds, and can be found on small sport-utility and crossover vehicles. The hitch ball slides into a 1.25-inch "receiver" tube, hence the name.
Class III
For larger trailers, a Class III or IV hitch is recommended. The Class III hitch has a sturdier attachment and a larger, 2-inch receiver tube, and is often found on full-size pickups. It can handle up to 8,000 pounds, with 800 pounds of tongue weight.
Class IV
The Class IV hitch also uses a 2-inch receiver box, but sturdier construction allows its capacity to go up to 10,000 pounds and 1,000 pounds of tongue weight. Class IV hitches are traditionally only found on heavy-duty pickups that are rated to tow that much weight.
More Information
The heavier-still 12,000-pound Class V hitch is generally found on super-sized medium-duty trucks. Trailers that go beyond this capacity are usually equipped with a fifth-wheel-type design that moves the tongue weight forward of the rear axle.
References
Writer Bio
Christopher "Emmy" Jackson has been an automotive writer since 1999. His self-syndicated auto column appears weekly in print and online, and his work has appeared in "Grassroots Motorsports," "AutoWeek" and "African-Americans on Wheels." He is a graduate of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, with degrees in English and creative writing, and spends most of his free time reviewing new cars and working on new automotive projects.
