Trailer Hitch Parts: Your Towing Team

When you purchase your tow package you may become immediately aware that it is not so much a cohesive package as it is a sum of disparate trailer hitch parts that need understanding an encouragement to work towards a common goal: towing your trailer.

Assembling the whole thing so that it works is a tremendous opportunity to become familiar with the all-important principles of operation. Going through this somewhat arduous process is worth it because it gives you a lesson that sets you in good stead as you and your tow package head off into a future where, at any time, you may be called upon to diagnose weirdness in the towing department.

Installing your own tow package gives you knowledge from the ground up; however, if you are not particularly handy it may be a good idea to have your handiwork surveyed by an expert so that you and your trailer do not become prematurely disconnected.

Your tow package generally consists of a receiver that fits on to your tow vehicle either with nuts and bolts or welding. Do wear the appropriate safety equipment when getting down and dirty with your vehicle. Once you have attached the receiver to the vehicle you will then insert the hitch into the receiver.

There is also a hitch-ball, sometimes known as a trailer ball. This should be located so that the trailer will be level when attached to it. The ball should be greased so that the hitch will rotate smoothly in it.

Your trailer hitch parts will also include safety chains, which need to be crossed over for maximum safety, and there is a receptor pin that should never be left out of its place. Your trailer lights will be connected to the vehicle controls via an electrical connection that looks like a giant plug.