TOWING AND TRAILERING PARTS

CAN YOUR CAR TOW A TRAILER?

Some trucks and SUVs, like the Ford F150 and Toyota 4Runner, are sold with towing hitches already installed, but many drivers upgrade their factory towing hitch to improve their towing capacity.

If it's your first time towing, you'll have to consider what your vehicle's towing capacity is and what type of cargo you'll be hauling. Determined by the vehicle manufacturer, your vehicle's towing capacity is the maximum amount of weight it can safely pull. You may need a different kind of trailer hitch to pull a utility trailer for work equipment or furniture, for instance, than you'd need to tow cars in a car trailer.

Whether you have a Toyota Corolla or a Dodge Ram 1500, you'll need to attach the trailer hitch to the chassis of your vehicle. There are several types of trailer hitches:

• Receiver hitches
• Fifth-wheel hitches
• Bumper-mounted hitches
• Front-mounted hitches
• Gooseneck hitches
• Pintle hitches

The rear receiver-style hitch is the most common trailer hitch, and its design consists of a square-shaped receiver tube for mounting a variety of towing accessories, such as trailer balls, pintle hooks, or hitch-mount bike carrier racks. When it comes to towing a camper tailer or a toy hauler, a fifth-wheel rig is the most heavy-duty option you can get. When towing awkward cargo, you need to tie down your load to keep it secure.

Depending on what you're trailering, you can use ratchet straps, bungee cords, ropes, chains, or cables. It's also a good idea to check whether your hauler is equipped with recessed anchors, tie-down mounts, screw pin anchor shackles, a cargo net, and cargo liner mats to minimize movement when towing. To make turns and parking easier, you should consider installing trailer towing mirrors on your vehicle to get a better view of your trailer.

BUYING A TRAILER HITCH AND TRAILER PARTS

If you're looking to buy a trailer hitch, NAPA Auto Parts has a complete line of towing and trailering parts to make your car, truck, or SUV the ideal towing vehicle.

Whether it's a utility trailer, a travel trailer, or a pop-up camper, your trailer must be roadworthy to be road legal. This means your trailer must have a functioning wiring harness and lights, good tires, and reliable suspension systems to ensure you can haul a load safely. Don't forget to check your trailer axles, bearings, and brake systems.

If you're considering doing trailer repairs on your own, check out our trailer maintenance article. However, if you prefer to have your trailer checked by a professional, go to a NAPA AUTOPRO centre near you and we'll inspect and service your trailer for you.

NAPA Auto Parts is Canada's source for the best selection of towing and trailer parts and accessories. Order your trailer replacement parts online and pick them up in-store at a NAPA Auto Parts location near you.