Tow Hitches & Components

Tow Hitches and Components

When you need to tow any type of trailer, you are going to need a tow hitch and a host of components to ensure that everything is safe and secure. A typical towing system consists of the vehicle, the trailer, and the smaller pieces of equipment that are used to connect them.

What is a tow hitch?

A tow hitch (otherwise known as a trailer hitch) often refers to the entire setup needed for trucks and trailers to connect and is designed to meet a host of needs; from durability, to weight capacity. This device will need to be securely attached to the rear frame of the truck and forms the base for the tow bar equipment (namely the frame bar, tow bar, securing pin, tow ball mount, tow ball, wiring, and anything else that will facilitate safe towing), so it can be especially important to select the right one and ensure it is fitted properly. Tow hitches typically come in two forms: a fixed drawbar or a receiver hitch.

Hitch pins

Hitch pins are used to connect the equipment to form a temporary bond for safe transportation. These feature a shaft with a predrilled hole that will have either a clip, cotter pin, or similar mechanism that will hold the shaft securely in place. Your truck may need a cotterless hitch pin (or ring pin), and these will have a spring-loaded mechanism inside the shaft.

Hitch pins and clips

Hitch pins and clips are the fasteners that are used with tow hitches to prevent tow pins from moving out of place or becoming dislodged. These come in a variety of forms and are reusable, and act as an important safety measure when trucks and heavy vehicles need to attach a trailer.

Tow bar bracket

Many trucks and heavy vehicles use a tow bar bracket, to better secure connections and make attaching trailers simpler and overall more reliable.

As tow hitches and components can be vehicle-specific, it can be worthwhile to browse our products here at Big Rig World. If you are unsure of the right type for your needs or are looking for something else, don’t hesitate to contact one of our expert technicians for advice - we will also be happy to source specific parts.