Trailer Hitch Classes, Explained
Receiver hitches come in five classes, from Class 1 for trailers up to 2,000 lbs. to Class 5 for loads up to 20,000 lbs., each with a tongue weight limit.
By Damien VolkmanContributing writer.
On this page
The short answer
A receiver hitch is sorted into one of five classes by two things: how much weight it is rated to tow and the size of its receiver tube. The higher the class, the more weight it handles and the larger the opening. Hitch maker CURT points out that each hitch carries its own rating, which may sit below the top of its class, and that the setup is only as strong as its lowest-rated part.
Trailer hitch classes at a glance
These ratings come from CURT's guide to hitch classes. GTW is gross trailer weight (the loaded trailer); TW is tongue weight.
| Class | Receiver | Max GTW | Max TW | Typical vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1-1/4 in | 2,000 lbs. | 200 lbs. | Cars, small crossovers |
| 2 | 1-1/4 in | 3,500 lbs. | 350 lbs. | Minivans, larger crossovers |
| 3 | 2 in | 8,000 lbs. | 800 lbs. | Crossovers, SUVs, trucks |
| 4 | 2 in | 10,000 lbs. | 1,000 lbs. | Larger trucks and SUVs |
| 5 Xtra Duty | 2 in | 16,000 to 17,000 lbs. | 2,400 to 2,550 lbs. | Heavy-duty trucks |
| 5 Commercial Duty | 2-1/2 in | 18,000 to 20,000 lbs. | 2,700 lbs. | Dually and chassis cab trucks |
For Classes 1 through 4, the tongue weight limit in this table is one tenth of the trailer weight limit.
Class 3 vs Class 4 hitch
Both use a 2-inch receiver, so the same ball mounts and accessories slide into either one. The difference is the rating: CURT lists Class 3 at up to 8,000 lbs. and Class 4 at up to 10,000 lbs. With a weight distribution hitch, both can reach 12,000 lbs. of trailer weight and 1,200 lbs. of tongue weight, though not every Class 3 or 4 hitch accepts one. CURT calls Class 3 the most common class on full-size pickups and SUVs.
What tongue weight means
Tongue weight is the downward force the loaded trailer's tongue puts on the hitch ball. Honda's owner's manual gives a target of about 10% of the total loaded trailer weight. Too much weight on the tongue takes grip away from the front tires and dulls the steering; too little can let the trailer sway. Honda suggests starting with about 60% of the cargo toward the front of the trailer and 40% toward the rear, then adjusting.
Tongue weight also counts toward your vehicle's payload, as CURT notes, so heavy cargo in the bed and a heavy tongue add up.
How to choose a class
- Find your vehicle's towing capacity in the owner's manual or on the driver-side door jamb. A hitch never raises it.
- Weigh what you will tow, including cargo, and work out its tongue weight.
- Pick a hitch rated above both numbers, then match every other part (ball mount, ball, coupler) to it.
- Check accessories too. Hitch bike racks and cargo carriers press on the receiver like a tongue, so their loaded weight must stay under the hitch's TW rating. Our guide to cargo carrier types covers that math.
Hitch accessories on Wiki Shopping
Of the 94 hitch accessories listed on Wiki Shopping on October 26, 2026, the largest groups are wiring (19), hitch locks (16), hitch clips and pins (12) and hitch covers (12). Browse more in automotive parts and accessories.
How we count
Each hitch accessory is grouped by the type its store listing states, with a read-only count of our listing pages on October 26, 2026. Items without a stated type are not in a group, and the counts change as listings come and go.