Best Caravan Tow Hitch for Smoother Ride

We all know how exciting it is to finally get a caravan on your own, plan all the open road adventures, and explore country roads. But what we need to realize is that towing a caravan adds significant weight to the vehicle. So caravan towing requires careful planning and loading, of course, additional drivers' responsibilities to manage safety. So if you are new in caravanning, you might get baffled with the seemingly endless array of caravan hitches and accessories available in the market.

If you are a caravan beginner, this article can briefly help you get all the information about caravan tow hitch. Let's start!

Types of Caravan Tow Hitches

The caravan hitch connects the vehicle's tow ball to the caravan, creating a safe turn and articulated connection for safe towing. Before you decide on the right tow hitch for your caravan, check out the caravan hitch options for you.

Gooseneck Hitch

A gooseneck hitch is similar to a conventional hitch that uses a round receiver for a truck-mounted ball and trailer tongue, typically used for commercial or heavy-duty farming purposes. Gooseneck tow balls are most often permanently attached to the towbar. They usually resemble a U-shaped or rounded L-shaped. Modern vertical drawbars are similar in design to swan neck drawbars. These towbars are not as popular in Australia as in Europe and often require imports from abroad. The ball gooseneck, larger than a conventional ball hitch, is commonly used for pulling large cargo trailers, boat trailers, concession trailers etc.

5th Wheel Hitch

The fifth wheel hitch is similar to the hitch on the back of a semi-trailer. The coupling device is installed on the bottom of the truck body and has a plate on which the trailer drawbar can rest and a gripper for holding the trailer drawbar kingpin. The trailer tongue looks like a diagonal metal beam with large pins on the bottom. The trailer is installed by setting it to the correct height and supporting the truck and hitch until the hooks engage the fifth wheel hitch, as long as the safety chain and trailer wiring are connected. Benefits of the fifth wheel coupling include quieter, smoother operation and more control over taller trailers that are more sensitive to crosswinds. However, unlike the gooseneck hitch, the 5th wheel hitch has much lower towing ability and the area it takes up within the bed.

Weight Distribution Hitch

A weight distribution hitch provides a smooth, even ride and can tow at the hitch's total load capacity. It also corrects tow vehicle sag, improves steering and stopping, and helps correct trailer sway when used in conjunction with sway control. Whether the trailer is shaking and grabbing the steering wheel, steering and stopping the tractor is painful, or if the tractor's headlights point towards the sky, you will need a clasp to distribute the weight.

A weight distribution hitch is designed to provide a smooth and stable ride when towing a trailer. Essentially, a weight-distribution hitch helps maintain traction levels and prevent the trailer's weight from placing undue stress on the vehicle.

Maximise Your Vehicle's Potential with Caravan Tow Hitch

A car or trailer alone cannot determine which hitch is suitable for a particular situation. They work together, and under no circumstances should the gross trailer weight (GTW) and tow hitch weight (TW) exceed the vehicle's maximum towing capacity.

Now, if you have multiple hitches that are compatible with your vehicle, it may be helpful to consider what to tow and how often. For example, if you plan to tow a heavier trailer frequently, consider using a higher rated hitch and a larger hitch receiver to maximize towing potential. On the other hand, if you just want to pull a light trailer or use the tow bar pocket for luggage management on your bike or luggage rack, a small tow bar may be sufficient.

Gooseneck and fifth wheel hitches are standard for certain types of trailers, so it's easy to decide which one is right for you. The only questions that need to be answered are: What kind of trailer would you like to tow the most? As we already mentioned, all sorts of hitches can be towed with adapters to tow different types, so you should decide on the type of trailer you will be pulling regularly.

Choose the Right Tow Bar

More and more caravan users are choosing removable trailer hitches. This allows the rear section and ball head to be easily removed without additional tools, maintaining a clear line at the vehicle's rear even when resting. There are different types of tow bars out there, like detachable towbars, gooseneck towbars, flange towbars and so on. Choose the type of towbar you need based on your actual needs: nose weight, style, cost, and additional accessories.

If the towing vehicle is fully loaded to the gross vehicle weight rating, make sure the centre of the tow ball is between 350mm and 420mm from the ground. This is a legal requirement, and we recommend that you check it.

When choosing a towing bar for off-road vehicles, make sure it is either a fixed height bar that is the same height as a traditional vehicle or an adjustable height bar that can be adjusted to a size suitable for towing. Last but not the least, if you purchase a towbar in Australia, you must comply with the Australian towbar standard AS / NZS 4177. In addition, all towbars must be tested in a NATA-certified laboratory.

Final Words

Choosing the best towbar for your car might get a little tricky, especially if you are a beginner and only starting to get familiar with your vehicle and caravan's technical details. This is because most towbars are vehicle-specific, so you can precisely find the towbar you need by year, make, model, and style. Then it is essential to choose the right receiver size and appearance to complement your lifestyle.

Finally, selecting the right tow hitch for your caravan may not be the easiest task, but picking the right hitch brand distributed by the most extensive vehicle equipment distributor in Australia doesn't have to be. AirSafe, the most renowned tow hitch manufacturer, uses potent technology to ensure safety in dangerous road conditions, providing maximum protection for both your vehicle and caravan.