Reese Trailer Hitch Application Chart

For all of your towing and hauling-related requirements, Reese provides a wide variety of classes of receiver hitches.

Of course, not every class of hitch will suit your needs, and the same is shown by our Reese trailer hitch application chart below.

You need a comprehensive guide to walk you through what to consider and which class of Reese hitch to choose when you plan to tow something.

This article simply presents the classes of Rees hitch, their usage, and applicability based on the types of vehicles.

Reese trailer hitch application chart:

This chart simply depicts the applicability of receiver hitches based on the types of vehicles and the usual purposes:

Hitch Class/Type	Attaches to	Applicable With	Application (Types of Vehicles)	Application (Usage)
Class I	Vehicle Frame, Bumper, or Truck Pan	Light trailers and accessories	Compact Cars. Sedans, SUVs, CUVs, etc.	Jet Ski, Bike Rack, Tent Campers, etc.
Class II	Vehicle Frame, or Bumper	Moderate-weight trailers and accessories	Sedans, CUVs, SUVs, Mini Vans, Cars, etc.	Camper, Boat, Bike Rack, etc.
Class III	Vehicle Frame Only	Large trailers and accessories	SUVs, Vans, Pickups, Heavy Duty Trucks, etc.	Utility, Camper, Boat, etc.
Class IV	Vehicle Frame Only	Larger trailers and accessories	Large SUVs, Large Trucks, Pickups, Vans, Dual and Chassis Cab Trucks, etc.	Horse, Utility, Camper, etc.
Class V	Vehicle Frame Only	Largest trailers and accessories	Largest SUVs, Heavy-Duty Trucks, Vans, Pickups, Dual and Chassis Cab Trucks, etc.	Camper, Utility, Horse.

Application Of Other Types Of Reese Hitches:

Apart from the Five distinct classes of trailer hitches, we do see some other types of Reese hitches to be used nowadays.

Their applicability pretty much conforms to the standard use of such hitches from any manufacturer.

Hitch Class/Type	Capacity	Attaches to	Applicable With	Application (Types of Vehicles)	Application (Usage)
Goosenecks Hitch	38,000 pounds	Vehicle Frame Only	Heavy-Duty Agricultural Use	Pickups Only	Horse, Livestock, etc.
Fifth-Wheel Hitch	30,000 pounds	Vehicle Frame (truck bed) + 5th wheel kingpin	Heavy-Duty Tasks	Pickups Only	Heavy-Duty RVs and the likes
Weight Distribution Hitch	15,000 pounds	Receiver Hitch	Receiver Hitches Only	Any type of Vehicle	Levels the vehicle and trailer

Class I To Class V Of Hitch Receiver:

Now, knowing the hitch classes in-depth helps to use the hitches more efficiently.

Moreover, you can never pick the right type of hitch for your needs if you don’t know its ins and outs.

Class I Reese Receiver Hitch:

Type/class of hitch	Gross towing weight	Towing weight	Receiver opening
Class I	1,000-2,000 Pounds	100-200 pounds	1-1/4 inches

Commonly, the receiver opening on a Class I hitch is 1-1/4″ square.

So, it has limited towing capacity and application.

In fact, the hitch’s carrying capacity cannot be raised by upgrading the ball mount’s class. 

So, if you have a small trailer and you need to do light towing tasks, you can invest in a Class I Reese hitch.

While towing, maximum attention should be given to the tongue weight.

However, there is no usual need for any Weight Distribution hitch to use with a Class I Reese receiver hitch due to its low towing capacity.

Class II Reese Receiver Hitch:

Now we are talking about an upgraded version of the Class I receiver hitch.

It shares almost the same traits and applicability as the class I hitch.

Type/class of hitch	Gross towing weight	Towing weight	Receiver opening
Class II	2,000-3,500 pounds	200-525 pounds	1-1/4 inches

You can tow up to 3,500 pounds with a Class II hitch and without any need for a weight distribution hitch in most cases.

Similar to the Class I hitch, it can only attach to mini and compact cars, SUVs, and all.

Class III Reese Receiver Hitch:

Usually, the gross weight capacity of a vehicle equipped with a Class III hitch is 6,000 pounds.

However, sometimes the Reese hitches may offer up to 8, 000 pounds.

And this is where the call for a weight distribution hitch starts.

Type/class of hitch	Gross towing weight	Towing weight	Receiver opening
Class III	3,500-8,000 pounds	300-800 pounds	2 inches

Interestingly, Reese has set up a new benchmark in the hitch class arena with their Class III hitch.

Depending on the towing vehicle and hitch requirements, their class III hitches can be weight-carrying (WC) or weight-distributing (WD).

Towing capacity cannot be enhanced by upgrading the ball mount.

Besides, trailer hitches of the Class III variety are designed for frame-only installation.

Class IV Reese Receiver Hitch:

Coming to the Class IV Reese receiver hitch, you can think of doing some heavy-duty hauling.

Also, alike the Class III, Class IV hitches can be either weight-carrying or weight-distributing.

Type/class of hitch	Gross towing weight	Towing weight	Receiver opening
Class IV	5,000-14,000 pounds	500-1200 pounds	2 inches

Weight-carrying Class IV hitches may support up to 12,000 pounds of gross trailer weight (GTW).

Whereas, Class IV weight distribution hitches can support loads of up to 14,000 pounds GTW.

The usage of this kind of hitch necessitates a weight distribution system as you do heavy-duty hauling.

Class IV Reese Receiver Hitch:

Here, we have two types of class V hitches based on their GTW.

As you can see below, not being a Gooseneck hitch, a class V hitch can pull up to 20, 000 pounds.

However, both types are designed for frame-only installation.

Type/class of hitch	Gross towing weight	Towing weight	Receiver opening
Class V (Extra-Duty)	16,000-17,000 pounds	1,500-2,000 pounds	2 inches
Class V (Commercial Duty)	18,000-20,000 pounds	2,000-2,500 pounds	2-1/2-inches

As you tow a substantial load using a Class V hitch, extreme precaution is necessary.

In order to securely move high-weight loads behind your vehicle, the hitch ball and the ball mount need to have a Class V rating.

It is also highly discouraged to use a class V hitch without a weight distribution hitch.

FAQs about Reese trailer hitch application:

Final Words:

Mark the bare bones, when you opt to buy a Reese trailer hitch, the only thing we refer to is the Reese trailer hitch application chart.

If a certain class/type of hitch doesn’t fit your needs, you should never opt for it in the first place.

Remember, non-compliance with the applicability charts runs a risk for both the vehicle and trailer.

However, as a driver, even you are not safe if the hitch fails or the vehicle is not level. So, put safety first.