When you’re towing a trailer, it’s crucial to choose the right hitch. Your hitch will determine how much weight your vehicle can safely tow and how well the trailer is connected to your car or truck. There are two main types of hitches: gooseneck and traditional. Let’s break down what makes each one unique and helpful for different types of trailers.

What is a Gooseneck Hitch?

Gooseneck hitches are designed for heavy-duty towing and are often used to tow large trailers, like horse trailers or work trailers. Gooseneck hitch systems feature a 4-point connection that attaches directly to the frame of your truck, giving the driver the peace of mind that a standard ball mount cannot.

Gooseneck hitches come in two parts—the ball itself, which is attached to a trailer, and the installation kit, which is attached to the bed of a truck. The ball part allows for a smooth connection between the truck and the trailer, while the installation kit ensures that the ball stays securely in place.

Pros

Gooseneck hitches have several advantages over their traditional counterparts. For example, they are generally more secure than standard hitches and can handle heavier loads (up to 30,000 lbs). Additionally, they don’t require as much ground clearance as other hitches so they can be used with low-profile trailers like horse trailers or utility trailers. If you live by the water, you may notice gooseneck hitches are commonly chosen to transport boats and waverunners.

Cons

Gooseneck hitches are not as versatile as traditional hitches because they require a special trailer that has a gooseneck hitch mount. This means that if you want to use your gooseneck hitch with multiple types of trailers, you’ll need to purchase different mounts for each type. This can add up pretty quickly into a financial burden. Moreover, gooseneck hitches may not be compatible with all models of trucks, as they require a certain amount of frame clearance depending on your truck’s make/model/year.

What is a Standard Trailer Hitch?

A standard trailer hitch consists of a receive tuber opening located under the rear bumper or tailgate of your vehicle. The trailer coupler of your cargo is mounted onto the ball mount, which is connected to the receiver as seen in the accompanying photo.

Of course, if a simple ball mount cannot get the job done, you can also install a weight distribution hitch with a ball mount to better equalize the weight between the tow vehicle and its cargo.

Pros

Traditional hitches are easy to install and do not require any special tools or expertise; simply insert the drawbar into your receiver tube opening and secure it with pins before you start hauling! They also tend to be more affordable than other types of hitches, which makes them great for those who may not want to invest in an expensive gooseneck system right away. Lastly, they can be used with any type of vehicle regardless if it has a frame or not (e.g., SUVs).

Cons

Standard trailer hitches, generally speaking, cannot transport as much weight as gooseneck hitches can. In practice, a standard ball mount is often enough to transport small boats, but larger cargo like utility trailers may require a weight distribution hitch depending on the weight of your tow vehicle. That can be considered a similar financial concern to the gooseneck hitches. While gooseneck hitches can lack in versatility, standard hitches often rely on extra purchases like a sway control hitch to get the best out of your ride.

The Ultimate 4-Point Sway Control Hitch: The Equal-i-zer Hitch

As you can see, there are pros and cons for both types of hitches so it’s important to consider your needs before deciding which one is right for you. If you plan on hauling small boats and camper trailers, then a traditional hitch may be all that you need. However, if you plan on carrying heavier loads over longer distances, then it may be worth investing in a gooseneck hitch instead. Of course, make sure you consult an expert before making any decisions about what type of hitch is best for your needs!

When you’re looking for a trailer hitch that can rival the stability and sway control of a goose neck trailer hitch, you need the 4-point sway control of our nationally recognized Equal-i-zer Hitch. For more information, check out the Equalizer Hitch product page here.