What Is a Bumper Hitch Trailer?

A trailer with an A-frame tongue and cup-ball hitch.

Trailers are used for work, camping and dozens of other things. To tow trailers safely, the tow vehicle and the trailer need to be compatible. Two basic types of hitches are used for tow-hauling: the bumper-hitch and the fifth-wheel.

Bumpers and Ball-hitches

A bumper-hitch trailer attaches to a bumper hitch. A bumper hitch attaches under the rear bumper. Bumper hitches are also called ball-hitches, because the trailer-hitch attaches with a metal cup over the bumper hitch ball, allowing free rotation from side to side, and leeway for vertical movement during travel.

Bumper vs. Fifth-wheel

Bumper hitch trailers have the trailer hitch mounted forward of the body of the trailer on a metal A-frame. Fifth-wheel hitch trailers have a portion of the trailer above the actual hitch, which mounts on a pivoting pedestal mounted on the bed of a truck.

Relative Advantages

The advantages of fifth-wheel rigs are that the tow vehicle has greater traction and the trailer cannot sway as easily. The advantages of a bumper hitch trailer are that it connects and disconnect easily, and a bumper hitch can be installed on almost any vehicle.

References

• Trailer Hitches 4U: Buying Hitches
• Diers Ag: Bumper Hitch Trailers
• Sizes: Trailer Hitches

Resources

• Towing Guide: Couplings