Whether you need to pull a trailer for work or pleasure it’s vital you do so safely. As such its essential you chose the best adjustable trailer hitch for your needs.
If you own multiple trailers you will know how much time and effort it takes to
Below we have rounded up the best adjustable trailer hitches on the market so whether you are moving gardening supplies, taking your dirt bike to the track, or pulling a caravan while on a cross country adventure, you can be sure that whatever is hitched to your wagon will arrive safe and secure.
As well as reviewing some of the best adjustable trailer hitches on the market we have also included a handy buyers guide to help you know what to look for when picking a quality trailer hitch.
In a hurry?
Moving home, going to a track meet, or just feeling the call of the open road, with more than 1,000 five star reviews on Amazon, the CURT 45900 is our top pick.
A solidly built, highly versatile hitch which combines high-strength steel with a unique design The CURT 4590 is a reliable trailer hitch which can haul heavy loads while providing a silky smooth ride without the rattling associated with many trailer hitches.
It achieves this by a combination of using a dual pin and clip system to keep the ball and mount securely fastened inside the hitches channel, and by using a rubber gromit to help fasten the hitch to the receiver giving it a tight fit and as a result doesn’t rattle while you are rolling down the road.
The 4590 is also able to pull an impressive amount of weight and is capable of shifting up to 14,000 lbs using its 2 5/16 inch ball.
The CURT 4590 may not be the prettiest hitch on the marker, but it more than makes up for it with incredibly solid build quality and the ability to shift heavy loads effortlessly.
Pros
- Dual pin system keeps ball mount firmly in place
- Does not rattle at all
- Able to pull loads up to 14,000lbs
OUR TOP PICK
A highly versatile hitch, the CURT 45900 allows you to easily adjust it to any towing situation thanks to the unique design of its adjustable ball mount.
While most ball mounts fit around the outside of the shank leaving room for it to potentially rattle, the 45900 instead secures the ball mount inside the channel with two pins, which are then secured with two sturdy wire clips.
This system stops the 45900 from rattling, and as a result provides a much smoother, quieter ride while towing your trailer.
However we did find that it took a little bit more wiggling than usual to remove the clips when it came time to adjust the ball mount, but at least you know they are secure, and if you can’t remove them easily no one else can.
The 45900 comes with a standard shank which allows it to fit any two inch hitch receiver, this is attached with the use of a rubber grommet which helps the hitch be securely attached to the truck and remain rattle free.
It also comes with a corrosion resistant, zinc-plated, two-inch ball rated for a capacity of 10,000 lbs and a 2-5/16-inch ball for loads up to 14,000 lbs.
The mount has a drop of six inches and a rise of 5 ¼ inches and is protected against rain, dirt and salt thanks to black powder coat finish.
THe 45900 may not be much of a looker, but with excellent build quality and the ability to pull weights far in excess of what the average person would ever need. The CURT 45900 is built for work, which is just what it does.
Pros
- Smoother ride thanks to anti-rattle features
- Solidly builtRated for loads up to 14,000 lbs
Cons
- Ball mount pins can be hard to remove
EDITORS CHOICE
Next up is the Orion Motor Tech hitch.
The Orion is a well built, budget hitch, which is ideal for those who need to pull a light trailer without breaking the bank.
The heavy-duty adjustable hitch is constructed of a welded A3 steel body and coated in weather resistant black powder coating.
The fairly simple hitch uses two ⅝ inch pins to hold the ball mount in place, which stops it from bouncing around too much, although it does still rattle.
It is worth noting though that the Orion does not come with a ball, so if you need one it will cost extra.
With a standard two inch receiver the Orion will fit most vehicles and allows for a 9 ½ inch drop or 8 ¼ inch rise.
Though it is rated for loads up to 5,000 lbs, and despite its solid build quality, with strong welds and a good strong feel, it is best used as a reliable 2,000 lb hitch for those that need to occasionally pull a light trailer.
The one downside to the Orion is that it can tend to be very noisy and does rattle, however if you keep your loads fairly light it works really well.
If you are after a reliable adjustable tow hitch to pull light loads and don’t want to break the bank, the Orion is the tow hitch for you.
Pros
- Well constructed, reliable hitch
- Affordable
- Great for light loads
Cons
- Doesn’t include ball
BEST VALUE
Next on our list is the MaxxHaul 70380.
A reliable and affordable daily use adjustable tow hitch, the MaxxHaul 7030 combines solid construction with ease of use creating a hitch which, first and foremost gets the job done.
Featuring all steel construction the 70380 connects to any standard 2x2 inch receiver.
The chrome ball mount and included two-inch and 2 5/26th inch balls are constructed as one solid unit and held in place inside the channel with two ⅝ inch pins.
Though sturdy, we found the unit can be a little loose in the shank and as a result can clank around at times.
Thanks to its very solid design this adjustable hitch is capable of pulling loads up to 8,000lbs with the two inch ball and up to 12,000 lbs with the 2 5/16-inch ball, and features a 7 ½ inch rise and a 61/2 inch drop.
It also sticks out further from the back of your vehicle than most, making it ideal for vehicles with a spare tyre mounted on the back.
If you’re looking for a reliable, easy to use, adjustable tow hitch for every-day use you can’t go wrong with the MaxxHaul 70380.
Pros
- Can pull loads up to 8,000 lbs
- Good for vehicles with back mounted tyres
- affordable
Cons
- No cons
RUNNER UP
Next on our list is the B&W Tow and Stow.
The Tow and Stow is a cleverly designed, sturdy, adjustable tow hitch with great features.
The biggest selling point of the Tow and Stow is the ability to either easily remove the ball mount ( it pops right off) or to flip it round and stow it under your truck, when not in use, potentially saving millions of dollars in knee and shin surgery, and bent garage doors.
Made of american steel, and dual powder coated to avoid corrosion the Tow and Stow uses a three pin design, which not only makes the unit sturdy, but also really easy to use.
The included chrome ball mount with 2 inch and 2 5/16 inch balls, not only look stylish against the black powder coat of the adjustable hitch but can also haul up to 14,000 lbs.
This heavy duty hitch attaches to a 2 1/2inch receiver and features a five-inch drop and 4 ½ inch rise.
The only downside to this hitch is that it can rattle a little at times, but this can be easily remedied with the optional silencer pad.
On the whole though The Tow and Stow is a superb, and stylish adjustable tow hitch and is easily one of the best on the market.
Pros
- Secure three pin system
- Chome and Black finish looks stylish
- Can pull up to 14,000 lbs
Cons
- Can rattle without silencer plate
RUNNER UP
Finally on our list we have the Weigh Safe 180.
Heavy duty, and very secure, the Weigh Safe 180 is one of the finest adjustable trailer hitches on the market.
Made of aeroplane grade billet aluminum and chrome plated steel the Weigh safe is incredibly tough and weather resistant.
The ball mount is secured to the exterior of the shank using a dual pin system which keeps the mount held securely in place, preventing movement and making a much stronger connection.
The hitch also features a 10 inch rise and drop, and is capable of hauling a whopping 18,500 lbs when using the 2 5/16 inch ball.
The Weigh Safe also includes a great locking system, with both the ball mount and shank secured in place with a key. This means you don’t have to worry about your expensive new trailer hitch being stolen if you forget to remove it after use.
Though there is no play between the mount and the ball we did find there was a slight rattling between the hitch and the receiver. Also when locking and unlocking the hitch it can be a little stiff.
Rugged, secure and able to haul huge loads, the Weight Safe 180 is an impressive adjustable trailer hitch, which those looking to haul something a little more substantial should definitely check out.
Pros
- Can haul up to 18,500 lbs
- Ball mount kept securly in place with dual pins
- Mount and shank securely lock in place with a key
Cons
- Lock barrel can be stiff
Best Adjustable Trailer Hitch Buying Guide
Towing a trailer on a public road needs to be done safely, because the alternative really doesn’t bear thinking about.
In order to ensure you don’t end up on the late night news after spilling your load across the highway, it’s important to do your research in order to choose the right equipment for what you are going to be hauling and use it safely.
If you have multiple trailers an adjustable trailer hitch is a must, as you need to make sure that any trailer you pull is as level as possible. Pulling a trailer which is two high or low can create breaking and steering issues which can prove to be disasterous.
Therefore, using an adjustable hitch will ensure you can pull each of your trailers safely.
Before choosing an adjustable tow hitch you need to know the weight of the trailer you are going to pull. This can usually be found on a plate on your trailer.
It is also advisable not to push a tow hitch to its absolute weight limit, and to be aware that advertised weight limits of a trailer are based on a brand new unit, not one which has been on the back not your truck for a few years, at which point this can decrease.
Therefore, it’s a good idea to buy an adjustable trailer hitch which will give you fair amount of breathing room. For example if you are planning on hauling 10,000 lbs it would be best to use a winch rated at 12,000 lbs or more.
Below is a glossary of terms which will help you understand the main components of an adjustable trailer hitch and their uses.
Ball: the ball which attaches to the trailer these come in different sizes with the most common being 2 inch and 2 5/16 inch. Generally speaking the larger the ball, the more towing capacity you will have, as such the maximum towing capacity of a trailer is usually related to using the 2 5/16 inch ball.
Ball mount: Supports the ball and attaches to the shank.
Drop and Rise: This is the distance an adjustable tow hitch can either be raised or lowered.
Receiver: This is the bracket which attaches to the back of your vehicle. These come in a variety of sizes, but as a general rule of thumb the larger the receiver the more it can pull. For example a 2 ⅕ inch receiver will generally be able to haul heavier loads than a two-inch receiver.
Shank: This is the part of the trailer hitch which attaches to the receiver. The receiver needs to be the same size or larger than shank. A truck with a 2 ½ inch receiver can still use a two- inch shank but you will need to buy an adapter to do so.