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Selecting a Tow
Vehicle
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Most SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, minivans, and passenger
cars can be equipped to tow a trailer. However, the selection of an appropriate
tow vehicle and the proper equipment to tow a trailer depends on the type of
trailer, its size and weight, and the amount of weight being towed. There are
numerous types of trailers, but, in general, they fall into four categories:
flat bed or open trailers, boat trailers, enclosed trailers, and recreational
vehicle trailers (including travel trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, and folding
camping trailers).
Check the owner’s manual and review the manufacturer’s guide to see if
the vehicle you plan to buy can tow a trailer. After you have reviewed the
vehicle capabilities, you also must investigate the capabilities of compatible
hitch systems for the vehicle. This is especially important if you plan to
purchase a hitch from a source other than the vehicle manufacturer. You may find
that vehicle manufacturers offer specially designed towing packages that define
the equipment necessary to tow different types of trailers depending on their
fully loaded weight and size. A towing package may include a heavy duty
radiator, battery, flasher system, alternator, suspension, and brakes, as well
as an engine-oil cooler, transmission-oil cooler, wiring harness, specific axle
ratio, and special wheels and tires.
Towing packages also may include the trailer hitch
receiver, which is mounted to the tow vehicle, but towing packages
rarely include the draw bar, or ball mount,
and hitch ball. The draw bar is a separate assembly on which the hitch ball is
mounted. The draw bar then slides into the hitch receiver on the tow vehicle and
is secured with a locking pin. The front part of the trailer that hitches to the
tow vehicle is referred to as the tongue. At the end of the tongue is a coupler
into which the hitch ball is inserted and
secured.
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trailer hitch receiver
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ball mount
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coupler
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hitch ball
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A manufacturer may offer different towing packages to safely tow various
sizes and types of trailers. Towing packages indicate both equipment that must
be installed on your tow vehicle and equipment that is optional or recommended.
For example, not all trailers require the tow vehicle to be equipped with
extended side-view mirrors. But if you are towing a trailer that is wider than
your tow vehicle, you will need extended side-view
mirrors to see rear- and side-approaching traffic.
extended side-view mirrors
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