About the Class 4 hitch
Buyer’s Guide, Comparison and Advice
Class 4 trailer hitches are not designed for passenger cars. These are heavy-duty hitches for heavy-duty hauling. In other words, they are best suited for towing large boat trailers and recreational vehicles behind full-size pickup trucks and SUVs.
To determine if a class 4 hitch is the best option for you, you will need to consider the following things:
- Load weight. That is, what do you intend to tow and how much does it weigh?
- Weight carrying capacity. Also called draw weight, this refers to the amount that the hitch can pull (horizontally). Class 4 trailer hitches have a maximum towing capacity of 10,000 lbs.
- Tongue weight. This refers to the weight that bears down onto the hitch when a load is attached. A class 4 trailer hitch has a tongue weight capacity of approximately 1,000 lbs.
- Year, make, and model of your vehicle. As you already know, trailer hitches are vehicle-specific. It wouldn’t do to attach a class 4 hitch to your hatchback.
Why is it important to consider these things when buying a trailer hitch?
Firstly, it will help you to determine the type of hitch that is best suited to your towing needs. Secondly, it will help you to determine whether or not you need to install a weight-distribution hitch.
Why is weight distribution important?
The load carrying capacity and tongue weight of a given trailer influence its weight distribution. This puts certain restrictions on where a load can be kept on a trailer. In other words, some areas of a trailer are designed to bear more weight than others
But what happens when a load has been distributed incorrectly?
A trailer with a load that exceeds its tongue weight capacity is problematic because it puts too much weight on the rear tires of the towing vehicle. This reduces the driver’s control and can interfere with braking.
Fortunately, an overloaded tongue is usually quite hard to accomplish. What you need to be more careful of, however, is overloading the back of your trailer.
A trailer with an overloaded rear end can start to sway or fishtail. This is when the trailer ricochets from side to side. This poses a danger to the people in the cars around you and can quickly result in you losing control.
The other problem with a heavy rear end is that it causes the tongue of the trailer and the back of the vehicle to lift. This reduces the amount of contact that the rear tires have with the ground, which also reduces the amount of control you have over the towing vehicle.
The bottom line is, if your load is distributed incorrectly, the safety of your towing vehicle will be compromised.
So, what can you do to ensure the safety of your vehicle when towing a load?
Always keep the following ratios in mind when packing your trailer: the front half (towards the tongue) should carry at least 60% of the total load weight. The remaining 40% should be positioned towards the back of the trailer. In addition, you should aim to keep roughly 10% of the total load weight at the very front of the trailer (directly over the tongue). This means that if you’re hauling a 10,000 lbs load, 1,000 lbs should be stored over the tongue.
Now you know why weight distribution is important when it comes to towing a load. But what difference does a weight-distribution hitch make to your towing capacity? As it turns out, quite a lot. Adding a weight distribution system can increase the towing capacity of a class 4 hitch to almost 14,000 lbs in some cases.
When do you need a weight-distribution hitch?
The general rule of thumb is that you need a weight distribution system if the load you’re hauling weighs more than half of the vehicle doing the towing.
Tips for buying a trailer hitch
Below is a short guide with the most important things to look out for when buying a trailer hitch.
Quality
Naturally, you want something that’s durable and guaranteed to handle a large amount of weight. The last thing you want is a cheap trailer hitch that will result in you losing your load – and your trailer with it.
Load Limits
There are five hitch classes. Each one has a limit to the amount that it can tow. Vehicles also have a towing limit, so you’ll need to ensure that the load you’re intending to haul does not exceed these limits. If you’re hauling loads that differ in weight, buy a hitch that can handle the heaviest one; don’t try to make do with something that’s designed for a lighter load.
Sway Control
You definitely want a trailer hitch that will assist with load distribution and reduce sway if you’re planning to haul a heavy load. Many hitches do come with some kind of built-in sway control and most of them are adjustable. Take note, however, that poor road conditions, passing 18-wheelers, and strong winds can also cause large trailers to fishtail even when the load is balanced correctly.
Some hitches are lightweight and easy to transport, while others are fairly weighty pieces of equipment. Class 4 trailer hitches fall into the latter category, so if you’re planning on having one fitted on your truck, you probably won’t be changing it out any time soon. However, some of these hitches can be equipped with a trailer ball mount, making them a bit easier to handle.
The Best Class 4 Trailer Hitches
#1: Draw-Tite 41504 Max-E Loader Hitch Class IV
This heavy-duty trailer hitch features a longer side bracket that helps with weight distribution, making it an excellent choice for trucks, vans, and sport-utility vehicles. At 60 lbs, the Max-E Loader is relatively lightweight, but this does not affect its performance by any means. In fact, it can still haul a gross trailer weight of up to 10,000 lbs with the help of a weight-distribution hitch. Every Max-E Loader also undergoes a number of quality control tests to ensure maximum durability and strength, so you can have complete peace of mind on your next big trip.
Pros:
- Reasonably priced
- Easy DIY installation
- Lightweight
Cons:
- The hitch itself received mostly positive reviews, but there were some complaints about the condition of the packaging that it arrived in
#2: Draw-Tite Ultra-Frame Trailer Hitch Class IV
Capable of hauling a gross trailer weight of 10,000 lbs, this trailer has been praised for its robust design and outstanding performance. This is reflected by its ability to pull heavy loads despite weighing a mere 12 lbs (making it one of the lightest hitches on this list)! Strong and easy to handle, if you tow regularly then this could be the hitch for you.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Robust
- Value for money
Cons:
- Some problems with installation were mentioned in the reviews, but there were few complaints about the hitch itself
#3: Draw-Tite 76136 Class IV Max-Frame Trailer Hitch
This hitch forms part of the line of “Tested Tough” receiver hitches from Draw-Tite and is rated for towing a gross trailer weight of up to 6,000 lbs. Fitting a weight-distribution hitch, however, can increase its towing capacity to 10,000 lbs. The Max-Frame is lightweight, but durable, and can be bolted onto your vehicle for easy installation.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Easy DIY installation
Cons:
- Some complaints about missing hardware
#4: CDraw-Tite 76154 Class IV Round Tube Max-Frame Hitch
Another one of Draw-Tite’s heavy-duty receiver hitches. Compared to all the previous Draw-Tite models on this list, the Round Tube Max-Frame hitch has the highest weight carrying capacity. It is rated for 8,000 lbs gross trailer weight but can handle an additional 4,000 lbs when used in combination with a weight-distribution hitch. This can come in handy, especially if you’re planning to haul a variety of loads.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Easy DIY installation
Cons:
- Overall positive reviews about the hitch itself, apart from one or two complaints about some bolts that did not fit
#5: CURT 14055 Class 4 Trailer Hitch
Made from carbon steel, with a co-cured finish of liquid A-coat and a durable black powder coat, this class 4 hitch from CURT is built to last. Its versatile design equips your vehicle with a standard 2-inch x 2-inch receiver that can also accept a ball mount, tow hook, and other heavy-duty towing accessories. It can also receive a weight-distribution hitch, increasing its towing capacity from 10,000 lbs to 12,000 lbs. This makes it well-suited for hauling a variety of larger trailers, ranging from double-axle utility trailers or livestock trailers to full-length campers and large boat trailers.
Pros:
- Rust, chip, and UV-resistant
- Versatile
- Easy DIY installation
Cons:
- Higher price point
#6: CURT 14029 Class 4 Trailer Hitch
This is an older model from CURT, but still delivers the same high-quality performance that you might expect from any of the newer ones. Like all CURT trailer hitches, it has been designed to last and comes fully protected against wear and tear thanks to its dual-coat finish. It is also easy to install with no drilling required.
Pros:
- Durable
- Rust, chip, and UV-resistant
- Easy DIY installation
Cons:
- Higher price point
#7: CURT 14053 Class 4 Trailer Hitch
A perfect example of the kind of quality that you can expect from a CURT hitch. With high scores across the board for sturdiness, value for money, and ease of installation, there can be no doubts as to the high standard of this hitch. With its versatile design, no job is too big or too small for this CURT hitch!
Pros:
- Versatile
- Rust, chip, and UV-resistant
- Easy DIY installation
Cons:
- Some modifications were needed for the hitch to fit on certain vehicle models
#8: Reese 36099 Class IV Custom-Fit Hitch
This custom hitch from Reese features a solid all-welded build for maximum strength and safety. Being custom-built to match certain vehicle specifications, you’re practically guaranteed to get a perfect fit. Like all other hitches made by Reese, this one is treated with a METALSHIELD protective coating to prevent corrosion. As a bonus, it can be used with a combination of towing accessories (sold separately), including the InterLock hitch ball and ball mount “One Wrench Tightening System” exclusive to Reese.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Easy DIY installation
- Sold with a hitch plug cover
Cons:
- Lower towing capacity than some of the other class 4 hitches on this list
#9: Reese Towpower Trailer Hitch Class IV
Rated for a gross trailer weight of 6,000lbs, this class 4 hitch from Reese may be best suited for towing lighter loads, but it can still get the job done! Manufactured with a METALSHIELD protective coating that consists of a rust-inhibiting primer, dipped e-coat electrostatic coating, and an outer powder coat to ensure maximum durability.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Easy DIY installation
- Sold with a hitch plug cover
Cons:
- More expensive than a multi-hitch
- Some complaints about damaged packaging
#10: Reese Towpower 44645 Class IV Custom-Fit Hitch
This custom hitch from Reese comes highly recommended. With over a hundred reviews on Amazon and good marks for strength and ease of installation, you can be sure that this is a tried-and-true piece of equipment. A sturdy hitch for loads with a gross towing weight of up to 6,000 lbs.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Sturdy
- Easy DIY installation
- Sold with a hitch plug cover
Cons:
- Some complaints about damaged packaging