Hitch Product Guide

Getting ready to go on a big trip?  Need to outfit your rig with something long term so you can continually haul loads from point A to B?  Hitches can be a confusing proposition at first glance.  Figuring out specifically what sort of hitch and what towing capacity is needed is all it really takes to narrow down your best choice.  It’s all about functionality and we’re here to help!

Trailer Hitch Towing

RealTruck recommends you refer to your vehicle owner’s manual for information regarding what specific tongue weight and gross tow weight it is rated for.  Information on what class trailer hitch you need can be found here:

Trailer hitch receivers install on the rear of your vehicle are come in different classes to distinguish the different amounts of weight it can hold while resting and how much it can tow while in motion.  These class ratings also depend upon the size of your vehicle.

Receivers are square and come in 1 ¼ to 2 ½ inch sizes.  Depending upon the brand and style, installation will either require a frame or bumper attachment.

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Fifth Wheel Towing

These are the hitches that actually sit in the back of pickup truck beds.  They normally tow large flat trailers, 5th wheel RVs and horse / livestock trailers.  They are great for towing very large weight capacities – up to 20,000 lbs, but can be difficult to maneuver around corners.  Depending upon the trailer type you are hauling, if you take your corner to short, you can damage the sides of your truck bed if you haven’t created enough clearance.

Thankfully there are 5th wheel hitches on the market that offer height adjustment as well as other accessories to boost height to allow for sharper turning and maneuvering.

For those interested in 5th wheel to gooseneck hitch capabilities, there are products on the market that allow you to make these changes with a few easy adjustments.

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Front Hitch Receivers

Front hitches are used most often to maneuver boats and trailers into tight spaces as well as being a receiver mount for winches, snow plows, cargo carriers, bike racks and more.  Load ratings and class information is product specific with all the lines RealTruck carries, but most receiver openings for front hitch mounts are 2 inches.

Front hitches are custom fit for vehicle make and model and are sold adjacent to a variety of accessories including mount receivers, license plate holders, hitch steps and spare tire mounts.  Most models are designed to install on factory bumpers only.

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Gooseneck Hitch Towing

Gooseneck hitches install in the bed of your truck from underneath and through the top.  The distinction between a 5th wheel hitch and a gooseneck hitch is the fact that a 5th wheel sits above your truck bed, while a gooseneck is level with your truck’s bed.

They come in capacities handling loads from 25,000 to 30,000 pounds.  Instead of a square receiver, goosenecks have a ball attachment near the top of the assembly for your trailer to hook up to.  These balls can normally be changed out for different sizes depending upon the requirements of your trailer.  Because of the ability to change the balls, they can be removed altogether for safe travel when not towing a load.

Some gooseneck products even allow you to fold the ball under the assembly to “tuck away” while traveling.  While other gooseneck hitches are considered “hidden hitches” because of their ability to take up very little space in your truck bed while installed.

For those interested in gooseneck to 5th wheel hitch capabilities, there are products on the market that allow you to make these changes with a few easy adjustments.

Buy Gooseneck Hitches

RealTruck Hitch Brands