Tow Tech Getting hitched is easier than ever. Using the latest accessories, hitching up is realistically now a one-person job. As proof, we accumulated an assortment of products that are designed to easily and safely connect a tongue, gooseneck, or bar to a tow vehicle: receivers, balls, and wiring plugs as well as wide-view mirrors, trailer brakes, lights, and tongue-alignment innovations. Vegas has nothing on this guide when it comes to getting hitched the easy way. Andersen Andersen's Rapid Hitch is an aluminum adjustable ball mount. It has a 10,000-pound GTWR with a 1,500-pound tongue capacity. Drop/rise positions are 3 1/2, 5 1/2, and 10 inches. Aluminum construction eliminates rusting, chipping, and peeling and also saves weight. INFORMATION: Andersen Mfg. Inc., 800.635.6106, www.anderseninc.comAndersen Andersen's Rapid Hitch is an aluminum adjustable ball mount. It has a 10,000-po B&W The patented Turnover Ball allows easy switching between a gooseneck and an empty bed. A 4-inch hole in the bed accommodates the ball; the mounting system is beneath the bed, bolted to the frame. A handle retracts a pin, stowing the ball upside down in its receiver. The Turnover Ball is rated to 30,000 pounds Gross Trailer Weight and 7,500 pounds Vertical Tongue Weight. INFORMATION: B&W Trailer Hitches, 800.248.6564, www.turnoverball.comB&W The patented Turnover Ball allows easy switching between a gooseneck and an empty be Bargman Bargman has supplied automotive lighting and electronic equipment since 1931. The company offers a variety of trailer connectors, plugs, and adapters. Also available are incandescent and LED taillights, markers, and other auxiliary lights to make towing safer. INFORMATION: Bargman, 517.767.4142, www.bargman.comBargman Bargman has supplied automotive lighting and electronic equipment since 1931. Th Buyers Buyers' Boxer Hitch mounts three different ball sizes plus has a pin for agricultural implements. Changing balls involves pulling the pin and rotating the mount. It also has 6 inches of vertical adjustment and is rated at 12,000 pounds GTW/1,200 pounds tongue weight. INFORMATION: Buyers Products, 440.974.7766, www.buyersproducts.comBuyers Buyers' Boxer Hitch mounts three different ball sizes plus has a pin for agricult Convert-A-Ball The Convert-A-Ball cushioned ball mount uses polyurethane inserts to act as a shock absorber, reducing towing vibrations. A standard version is rated at of 10,000 pounds GTW/2,000-pound tongue weight; the heavy-duty mount has a 14,000-pound GTW. Standard drops are 2, 4, 6, and 8 inches. INFORMATION: Convert-A-Ball, 800.543.1732, www.convert-a-ball.comConvert-A-Ball The Convert-A-Ball cushioned ball mount uses polyurethane inserts to act Blue Ox The Sway Pro weight distribution hitch by Blue Ox is designed to eliminate trailer sway utilizing two sway-control loops and two points of friction. A simple thumbscrew is used for head-angle adjustment. Receiver hitches and accessories are also available. INFORMATION: Blue Ox, 800.228.9289, www.blueox.comBlue Ox The Sway Pro weight distribution hitch by Blue Ox is designed to eliminate trail CIPA Designed for towing, CIPA offers extendable replacement mirrors. Available for GM and Dodge trucks, the new mirrors feature aerodynamic styling and integrated blindspot mirrors. They fit OE mounting holes. The main glass is electrically adjustable and heated and extends 4 1/2 inches to increase towing vision. INFORMATION: CIPA, 800.872.2472, www.cipamirrors.comCIPA Designed for towing, CIPA offers extendable replacement mirrors. Available for GM a Currie Enterprises Currie Enterprises offers tow bar kits for many popular '76-current bobtail Jeeps. The Currie collapsible bar comes with safety chains and brackets that mount to Currie tow bar shackles. Mounting kits are available for TJ/LJ and JK (shown). The JK tow bar plate replaces the stock plastic valance panel; hardware is included. INFORMATION: Currie Ent., 714.982.5298, www.currieenterprises.comCurrie Enterprises Currie Enterprises offers tow bar kits for many popular '76-current b Bulldog Bulldog offers a wide line of trailer products, including the A-Frame Jack with Powered Drive. It features a 4,000-pound capacity, a drop leg, 17 inches of travel, a built-in level, an emergency manual override, and an LED courtesy light. INFORMATION: Bulldog Products, 715.693.1700, www.bulldogproducts.netBulldog Bulldog offers a wide line of trailer products, including the A-Frame Jack with Curt Curt Manufacturing's Adjustable Tri-Ball includes welded 1 7/8-inch, 2-inch, and 2 5/16-inch chrome-plated trailer balls. It has 5 3/4 inches of vertical adjustment. This heavy-duty ball mount provides capacities up to 10,000 pounds, comes in a gloss black powdercoat, and includes hardware. INFORMATION: Curt Mfg., 800.738.7213, www.curtmfg.comCurt Curt Manufacturing's Adjustable Tri-Ball includes welded 1 7/8-inch, 2-inch, and 2 Eaz-Lift The Ultra is a trunnion-style weight-distributing hitch that has a low profile for increased road clearance. Its trunnions are lubricated for effortless turning radius. Built-in dual sway-control ball plates eliminate add-on accessories, and spring-bar locking devices are convenient for bar removal. The Ultra is available in three ratings: 550, 750, and 1,200 pounds. INFORMATION: Eaz-Lift, 800.334.2004, www.eaz-lift.comEaz-Lift The Ultra is a trunnion-style weight-distributing hitch that has a low profile Grote Grote offers magnetic towing light kits that include harness, lamps, and hookup connectors. They're available with ABS plastic or rubber housings in either conventional or LED bulbs (shown). Grote also offers a variety of LED utility lights to ease nighttime hitching. INFORMATION: Grote Ind., 800.628.0809, www.grote.comGrote Grote offers magnetic towing light kits that include harness, lamps, and hookup co Draw-Tite Draw-Tite offers custom-fit vehicle trailer hitches designed, engineered, and manufactured for optimal fit and towing performance. Hitches are available with GTW ratings of up to 18,000 pounds (Class IV Nissan Titan application shown). INFORMATION: Draw-Tite, 800.521.0510, www.draw-tite.comDraw-Tite Draw-Tite offers custom-fit vehicle trailer hitches designed, engineered, and Eckharts A Southern California installation institution for 65 years, Eckharts offers its Extender foldable and self-aligning tow bar via mail-order. Other turnkey towing setups are custom-installed onsite using Eckhart's Hidden Look/maximum-ground-clearance philosophy. A custom 27-inch drop hitch system is shown here. INFORMATION: Eckharts Trailer Hitches, 800.U.CAN.TOW, www.eckharts.comEckharts A Southern California installation institution for 65 years, Eckharts offers it Harbor Freight Haul-Master magnetic towing lights affordably make flat or dolly towing safer and easier for applications up to 80 inches wide. Features include scratch-resistant magnetic bases, 4 1/2-inch lenses, double-sided red brake lights and amber flashers, a 20-foot wiring harness, and four-pin connectors. INFORMATION: Harbor Freight Tools, 800.657.8001, www.harborfreightusa.comHarbor Freight Haul-Master magnetic towing lights affordably make flat or dolly towing s Dutton-Lainson Dutton-Lainson makes trailer accessories, including couplers, tongue jacks, and safety chains. Polished chrome hitch balls are available in 1 7/8-inch, 2-inch, and 2 5/16-inch. The Interchangeable model (shown) has 1 7/8-inch and 2-inch balls on the same 3/4-inch shank. A 2-inch stainless ball is also available. INFORMATION: Dutton-Lainson, 402.462.4141, www.dutton-lainson.comDutton-Lainson Dutton-Lainson makes trailer accessories, including couplers, tongue jack Hitch Helper Hitch Helper is an adjustable pole mirror on a magnetic base. It allows the driver to see the hitch ball and trailer tongue from the driver's seat to ease one-person coupling alignment. INFORMATION: Hitch Helper, 800.736.4469, www.hitchhelpermirror.comHitch Helper Hitch Helper is an adjustable pole mirror on a magnetic base. It allows the Hidden Hitch Hidden Hitch forged ball mounts feature one-piece construction designed to handle heavy loads. They're available in either aluminum finish (rated up to 8,000 pounds GTW) or in a black powdercoat finish (rated up to 12,000 pounds). INFORMATION: Hidden Hitch, 705.789.3301, www.hiddenhitch.comHidden Hitch Hidden Hitch forged ball mounts feature one-piece construction designed to Muth Muth offers the Wide Angle Signal Mirror with either a red or an amber chevron display. The convex mirror allows vehicles in the blind spot to appear in the OEM side mirror first, move through the Muth mirror, and then into the driver's peripheral view to improve towing safety. Applications are available for most vehicles. INFORMATION: Muth Mirror System, 800.844.6616, www.muthco.comMuth Muth offers the Wide Angle Signal Mirror with either a red or an amber chevron disp Hopkins The Endurance Multi-Tow Connector accommodates 7-Blade RV, 5-Wire Flat, and 4-Wire Flat plugs. Tin-plated terminals avert corrosion. The lid opens 180 degrees for easier connecting, and an inner grommet seal prevents water penetration. This connector also retrofits existing seven-way mounts. INFORMATION: Hopkins Mfg., 800.279.3212, www.hopkinsmfg.comHopkins The Endurance Multi-Tow Connector accommodates 7-Blade RV, 5-Wire Flat, and 4-Wi Master Lock Master Lock's Plug'n Go Back-Up Camera makes trailer alignment easier. It fits a standard 1 1/4- or 2-inch trailer tube using existing wiring. A magnet and a receiver lock keep the camera secure. The monitor plugs into the vehicle's lighter or accessory input. INFORMATION: Master Lock, 800.464.2088, www.masterlock.comMaster Lock Master Lock's Plug'n Go Back-Up Camera makes trailer alignment easier. It fi Omix-Ada A bolt-on pintle hook is available from Omix-Ada. Rated at 15,000 pounds, it is ideal for towing trailers with lunette hooks, military-Jeep style. INFORMATION: Omix-Ada, 770.614.6101, www.omix-ada.comOmix-Ada A bolt-on pintle hook is available from Omix-Ada. Rated at 15,000 pounds, it is Pico Pico offers brackets, adapters, and connectors for trailer wiring. Shown here is the 7-Way RV-Style Connector. It has a plastic housing and brass contacts to minimize rust in wet regions. The power connection can be used for trailer brakes or for charging an auxiliary battery. INFORMATION: Pico Wiring, 541.688.9646, www.picowiring.comPico Pico offers brackets, adapters, and connectors for trailer wiring. Shown here is th Pierce Plunger pins, which activate when their heads are rotated, are traditionally used in the towing field on wheel lifts and wrecker slings where a self-locking mechanism is required. The Pierce Twist Lock Plunger Pins offer ease and durability that is well suited for the off-road towing market. INFORMATION: Pierce Sales, 800.658.6301, www.piercearrow.usPierce Plunger pins, which activate when their heads are rotated, are traditionally used Reese Reese offers the Strait-Line weight-distribution and sway-control system. Sway is controlled by the Dual Cam HP. Unlike friction sway control, this limits sway from the start rather than just resisting once it has begun. INFORMATION: Reese Products, 734.656.3000, www.reeseprod.comReese Reese offers the Strait-Line weight-distribution and sway-control system. Sway is Roadmaster The StowMaster is a collapsible towbar that folds and stores on the front bumper. It's a convenient way to tow a non-street-legal buggy to the trailhead. INFORMATION: Roadmaster Inc., 800.669.9690, www.roadmasterinc.comRoadmaster The StowMaster is a collapsible towbar that folds and stores on the front bum PopUp The PopUp2 is a versatile gooseneck hitch. A solid steel slide permits raising and lowering the ball without getting in the bed or handling a greasy hitch ball. The 30,000-pound-rated hitch is designed to install without lifting the bed. Applications are available for popular trucks. INFORMATION: PopUp Hitch, 800.837.8578, www.popuphitch.comPopUp The PopUp2 is a versatile gooseneck hitch. A solid steel slide permits raising and PullRite The patented SuperGlide hitch line is designed to help shortbed truck owners tow their fifth-wheel trailers. This automatically sliding fifth-wheel hitch moves up to 22 3/4 inches during driving: no stopping, no accidents. INFORMATION: PullRite, 574.259.1520, www.pullrite.comPullRite The patented SuperGlide hitch line is designed to help shortbed truck owners to Smittybilt Smittybilt has a bolt-on Class IV receiver for JK Wranglers. It uses factory mounting points and has a cutout for a factory-style wiring harness. INFORMATION: Smittybilt Inc., 888.717.5797, www.smittybilt.comSmittybilt Smittybilt has a bolt-on Class IV receiver for JK Wranglers. It uses factory Swift Hitch Swift Hitch is a portable, wireless, color backup camera system with built-in night vision. It's intended to help hitch up trailers in three easy steps: Mount the magnetic camera on the tailgate, view yourself backing up, and then hitch up. INFORMATION: Two Loons Trading Co., 603.319.4909, www.swifthitch.comSwift Hitch Swift Hitch is a portable, wireless, color backup camera system with built-i Tekonsha Tekonsha's Prodigy RF Brake Control uses wireless communication between the remote handheld unit and the company's Trailer Power Module: The handheld unit plugs into any standard 12V power accessory adapter, and the Trailer Power Module taps into the vehicle's seven-way connector. INFORMATION: Tekonsha, 517.767.4142, www.tekonsha.comTekonsha Tekonsha's Prodigy RF Brake Control uses wireless communication between the rem Tire Gate The HitchGate is a hitch-extender/ swing-away tire carrier designed for oversized spares. It mounts to any Class III or greater 2-inch receiver and has a 7,500-pound tow rating. A Wedge Lock drawbolt limits vibration. INFORMATION: Wilco TireGate, 877.945.2684, www.tiregate.comTire Gate The HitchGate is a hitch-extender/ swing-away tire carrier designed for oversi Tomken Designed for Jeeps, the Tomken Universal Tow Bar is built to work with Tomken's tow bar shackles and bumper brackets, among others. The bar can be disassembled for storage. INFORMATION: Tomken Machine, 719.395.2526, www.tomken.comTomken Designed for Jeeps, the Tomken Universal Tow Bar is built to work with Tomken's t TM TM makes its Dragon Claw Ballmounts in 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-inch drops. One-piece forged construction yields a 10,000-pound GTW/1,000-pound tongue rating. The finish is hand-polished. INFORMATION: TM Performance Products, 800.733.4463, www.tmperformanceproducts.comTM TM makes its Dragon Claw Ballmounts in 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-inch drops. One-piece forged ToW Ready Tow Ready offers a varied line of trailer and towing accessories. These include hitch balls, locks (locking hitch pins shown), pintle hooks, and safety chains. INFORMATION: Tow Ready, 715.693.1700, www.towready.comToW Ready Tow Ready offers a varied line of trailer and towing accessories. These includ Valley Valley's Smart Trailer Wireless Lighting Monitor is designed to provide constant monitoring of trailer lights while driving. The system uses secure wireless transmission that includes an in-cab monitor, a submersible trailer transmitter, and mounting hardware. INFORMATION: Valley Ind., 800.344.3112, www.valleyindustries.comValley Valley's Smart Trailer Wireless Lighting Monitor is designed to provide constant Warrior Warrior's Class III collapsible tow bar has a 5,000-pound towing capacity. The locking coupler is designed for a 2-inch ball. Adjustable arms adapt to its mounting host and collapse for easy storage. The bar can be attached using the company's tow bar shackles or mounted directly to a flat surface using mounting brackets (sold separately). INFORMATION: Warrior Products, 888.220.6861, www.warriorproducts.comWarrior Warrior's Class III collapsible tow bar has a 5,000-pound towing capacity. The l Valley Industries By Tom Morr Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
