The Hitch is the mechanism that is typically mounted to the rear of a vehicle under the bumper. There are five classes of Hitches for towing trailers. Each class is designed for a specific trailer weight range. When selecting the appropriate hitch make sure the weight rating of the hitch is greater than the loaded weight of the trailer that will be towed. The tow vehicle capacity for weight carrying and hitch attachment will vary and will sometimes dictate the class of hitch that can be used.

Towing Hitch Class One Class I
Class I hitches are weight carrying (WC) hitches rated up to 2000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 200 lbs. The use of a drawbar and hitch ball of the same rating or higher is required. Some hitches in this class may attach to the vehicle bumper or trunk pan. Most other Class I hitches attach to the vehicle frame. Always consult your owner’s manual for vehicle rating.

Class Two Trailer Hitch Class II
Class II hitches are weight carrying (WC) hitches rated up to 3500 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 300 lbs. The use of a drawbar and hitch ball of the same rating or higher is required. Class II hitches normally attach to the vehicle frame and or bumper. Always consult your owner’s manual for vehicle rating.

Class Three Trailer Hitch Class III
Class III hitches are weight carrying (WC) and also are weight distributing (WD) hitches depending on the vehicle and hitch specifications. Not all Class III hitches are rated to be both. The hitch specifications will alert you to a hitch that is not weight distributing. Class III hitches used as weight carrying are rated up to 5000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 500 lbs. Hitches that are used for weight distribution are rated up to 10,000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 1000 lbs. The use of a ball mount and hitch ball of the same rating or higher is required. To use the weight distribution side of the hitch a weight distribution system is required. Class III hitches attach to the vehicle frame only. Always consult your owner’s manual for vehicle rating.

Class Four Class IV
Class IV hitches is very similar to Class III hitches except for the weight ratings. Class IV hitches are weight carrying (WC) and weight distributing (WD) hitches depending on the vehicle and hitch specifications. Not all Class IV hitches are rated to be both. The hitch specifications will alert you to a hitch that is not weight distributing. Class IV hitches used as weight carrying are rated up to 12,000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 1200 lbs. Hitches that are used for weight distribution are rated up to 15,000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 1500 lbs. The use of a ball mount and hitch ball of the same rating or higher is required for weight carrying. To use the weight distribution side of the hitch a weight distribution system is required. Class IV hitches attach to the vehicle frame only. Always consult your owner’s manual for vehicle rating.

Class Five Class V
Class V hitches are very similar to Class III & IV hitches except for the weight ratings and that the hitch uses a 2-1/2″ receiver. Class V hitches are weight carrying (WC) and weight distributing (WD) hitches. Class V hitches used as weight carrying are rated up to 13,000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 1300 lbs. Hitches that are used for weight distribution are rated up to 17,000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 1700 lbs. The use of a ball mount and hitch ball of the same rating or higher is required. To use the weight distribution side of the hitch a weight distribution system is required. Class V hitches attach to the vehicle frame only. Always consult your owner’s manual for vehicle rating.

5th wheel towing hitch Fifth Wheel Trailer Hitch
4-Way Pivoting Head with Self Latching Jaw Design, 4 Degree Side-to-Side Pivot for Better Control, Fifth Wheel Height Adjustments From 14-1/4″ to 18″, 2 Bolts for Bed Height Adjustments, Offset Legs Enhance Performance While Braking, Adjustable Stabilizer Strips Fit Bed Corrugation Pattern, Lockable, Extended Length Handle, Not Rated for use with Reese Sidewinder, 18K Gross Trailer Weight / 4.5K Pin Weight Capacity, 2 Year Limited Warranty

Gooseneck Towing Hitch Gooseneck Hitch
A hitch when you need it… a level bed when you don’t! Gooseneck Hitch converts to a level bed in seconds! Solid, machined 2 5/16″ ball, Durable powder-coat finish, Only a 4″ hole in the bed, Bolts to existing holes in the frame with no drilling or welding, Solid, one-piece machined receiver socket, Flexible latch pin handle attached to a spring-loaded, 5/8″ steel locking pin that goes completely through the ball, Limited lifetime warranty
Kaminski and Sons Truck Equipment of Buffalo carries a full line of Trailer Brake Controls, T-Connectors, and Trailer Wiring products. Our expert staff will be able to assist you in choosing the right product for your specific needs. Please give us a call!

There are several different electric brake controllers, one or more of which are designed to meet your unique requirements for operational control, weight class, hauling vehicle capabilities, or other factors. Electric trailer brake controllers are electronic devices that supply power from the tow vehicle to the trailer’s electric brakes. Many styles of electric brake controllers are available that differ in how they look, and the number of brakes they can power, but all of them can be assigned to one of two main groups, Proportional Brake Controllers, or Time Delayed Brake Controllers.

Timed Brake Controllers Timed Brake Controllers
Timed Brake Controllers are great choices for your basic, economical, and light-duty towing needs. These time-actuated controls have solid-state electronics and can be mounted in any position – horizontal, vertical, even turned upside down. With a Timed (sometimes referred to as Time Delayed (or solid-state) brake controller, when you step on the vehicle brakes, a predetermined amount of braking power is sent to the trailer and then there is a delay as the unit ramps up to full braking power. A couple of major benefits of timed brake controllers are quick and easy installation, and their ability to easily integrate with the late-model OEM wiring harness under your vehicle’s dash.

Proportional Brake Controllers Proportional Brake Controllers
Proportional-based controls offer a smooth braking response to almost any stop. Through the use of a sensing device, the brake control can determine the tow vehicle’s rate of deceleration and then apply the trailer brakes to match. In other words, Proportional Brake Controls deliver power to the trailer brakes in direct relationship to the actual physical deceleration of the tow vehicle. Put another way, a proportional (or pendulum) brake controller senses how quickly the tow vehicle is stopping and applies the same amount of braking power to the trailer.

The benefits of a proportional brake controller are similar to those of a timed brake controller. Quick, easy installation reduces brake control install time. Proportional brake controllers also integrate easily with the OEM wiring harness installed in later model vehicles. An added benefit with Proportional Brake Controllers is when properly adjusted, the trailer will decelerate at the same rate as the tow vehicle, increasing braking efficiency and reducing brake wear.

Also Available: Trailer Wiring, T-Connectors, Wiring Adaptors Trailer Wiring, T-Connectors, Wiring Adaptors