Weight Carrying Hitches

are most common:
-Generally used for trailers up to 3,500 pounds gross trailer weight (GTW) and 350 pounds tongue weight
-Support the trailer tongue weight as if it were luggage located at a hitch ball or some other connecting point of the vehicle
-There are two styles of weight-carrying hitch:

1. Fixed drawbar - ball platform is permanently welded to the hitch
2. Removable drawbar - ball platform is removable from the hitch receiver by taking out a steel pin
   

Weight Distributing Hitches:

-Applies leverage between the towing vehicle and the trailer, rather than just supporting the tongue weight of a trailer
-Distributes tongue weight to all the wheels of the towing vehicle and trailer
-Allows the towing of trailers with greater tongue weights
-Offers a more level ride
-Typically in Class III and Class V up to 15,000 pounds
-Reduces stress on the rear of the vehicle
-Provides greater steering control
-A weight-distributing system includes:

1. Receiver attached to the tow vehicle
2. Removable hitch head and spring bar assembly that fits into the receiver opening
3. Hook-up brackets that connect the spring bars to the trailer frame