The Different Types Of Tow Hitch Covers
If you are interested in tow hitch covers, you first need to know which type of hitch you will need. It's important to know the trailer hitch's weight specifications are the towing specs for your vehicle. You can find these in your owner's manual and they should always be followed. Overloading your trailer hitch will not only risk damage to your vehicle, but it will also make steering and braking more difficult, making you a danger on the road.
If it falls under the weight specs for your hitch and vehicle, you'll just need a ball mount and a hitch ball. The ball mount is the square metal shaft that slides into the receiver. The hitch ball mounts onto the ball mount and sticks out behind your vehicle when properly installed. You can tow sport utility trailers, cargo trailers, camping trailers, enclosed car haulers, gooseneck flatbed trailers, just about anything that you want. If your truck bed is shorter, you will need to use a 5th wheel slider hitch for more safety.
Beyond towing, you can use your receiver hitch for sport utility trailers, enclosed car haulers, cargo carriers, bike racks, boat carriers, ATV ramps, ski racks, hitch mounted grills, hitch steps, and to display your personality with a custom hitch cover.
Other benefits to having a tow hitch cover are that hitch covers are designed in all sorts of personalized ways. You can support your favorite sports team with a logo cover. When left uncovered, you can see the inevitable rust that settles on trailer hitches. The hitch cover can keep your vehicle looking stylish. In the parking lot, uncovered hitches are dangerous and many exposed shins have been injured by hard to see trailer hitches. Hitch covers are very noticeable and can be avoided. They are one of the most inexpensive accessories that you can purchase to help personalize your vehicle. Hitch covers that fold out as steps add an extra functionality that didn't exist on your vehicle. They greatly help you access the cargo carriers or roof racks on top of your vehicle and can help you get access to that tall bed on your lifted truck. A hitch mounted step is a great way to access the rear of your vehicle; they are simple to install and fold to be out of the way when you're not using them.
The bike racks, cargo carriers, and ski racks are all generally mounted to a shaft that slides into your receiver, like the 5th wheel slider hitch. These racks offer great convenience as they allow you to safely carry bulky and dirty items outside your car. A lot of them fold up for easier access to the rear of your vehicle and to need less storage area. Sports racks and cargo carriers are a great use for your receiver hitch.
You can also get bed extenders and hitch mounted boat racks that allow you to put one end of a ladder or canoe on top of your pickup cab and support the other end with a rack that mounts to your hitch. Similarly, hitch mounted ramp supports are available to allow you to attach ramps to the back of your pickup so you can drive what ever you need to right into the bed without fear of damaging the tailgate.
If you're a tailgater, you will love a hitch mounted grill. Forget hauling the mess of a charcoal grill or dealing with the small rack on a portable grill; with a hitch-mounted grill you can bring the comforts of your back patio with you--it's easy and awesome. Even if you don't go with a hitch grill, you'll want a tailgater hitch cover. It displays the logo of your favorite team and has a built in bottle opener for your convenience.
Whatever trailer accessories you choose, make sure you get a hitch lock to keep your stuff safe. This handy little lock replaces the tow pin you use to keep the ball mount in your receiver hitch and will give you peace of mind as you make the most of your trailer hitch.
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