Essential Trailer Hitch Accessories
There are a number of trailer hitch accessories that make the
hitches easier to operate safely. Some accessories, like trailer
hitch balls, ball mounts and hitch receivers are necessary for
the hitch to be usable. Other trailer hitch accessories, like
hitch locks are convenient and make the hitches easier to use
and maintain.
The hitch ball is the part of the trailer hitch that the cargo
is attached to. Hitch balls are usually made of chrome or
another strong metal. Bigger, heavier hitch balls can bear more
weight than smaller ones. Hitch balls are removable and can be
changed if another size is needed.
The hitch ball is usually connected to a ball mount. The ball
mount is a hollow metal square that slides into the trailer
hitch receiver opening. Trailer hitch ball mounts come in a
variety of sizes to fit different trailer hitch receiver
openings. Some ball mounts are curved to let the user attach the
ball lower or higher than the trailer hitch opening to
accommodate trailers with different socket heights. Other ball
mounts are extra long and come in handy when hauling horse
trailers and other irregularly shaped trailers.
Trailer hitch receivers are similar to bumpers. They are
horizontal bars fastened to the rear of the truck. They have an
opening that accommodates the ball mount. Once the ball mount is
locked in the receiver opening, the trailer hitch can be
attached to its cargo.
Trailer hitch locks are similar to hitch covers except that they
can be locked into place and only taken off with a key. These
are useful for security and can keep water and debris out of the
hitch receiver opening.
Some trailer hitch accessories are needed for the hitch to work
properly, while others merely make it easier and more convenient
to use the hitch.