You can hook up a trailer to an SUV to tow different things and equipment. For example, you can load the sports luggage and refreshment accessories on it.
It can drag the additional weight for transportation and provide a safe space for people in harsh weather conditions.
How Do You Hook Up a Trailer to an SUV? You can hook up a trailer to an SUV by joining the ball and hitch. Tilt-up the trailer by a hand crank and reverse the SUV, so the ball and hitch come in contact. Tighten the coupler and place the pins and large hook in place. It is necessary to attach a high-quality chain for maximum turning angle. It is better to check the towing capacity of the SUV and the weight of the trailer.
Although the SUVs have significant cargo space sometimes, people need extra space to load more luggage.
Can you add a trailer to an SUV without a hitch?
Yes, you can put it without a hitch to SUVs. Some people think that only large trucks can carry the camper but not small ones. You can also add this to the small size vehicles to load luggage.
It is safe to attach the hitch to the back because it will provide safety and strength at the joint.
You can place it without a hitch, but it will not allow the free turning angle. Therefore, it is better to travel on a straight route with less weight.
Sometimes it happens that it will lose the connection and takes apart. Therefore, you should prefer hitch while going on a long route for recreation and your needed things.
Steps to add a trailer to the SUV
You should follow the steps to attach a suitable camper to carry the luggage and necessary equipment. These steps will be helpful for you and guide you all about the attachment of it.
Steering control
The first thing to follow when you attach it to the SUV is the steering control. You will need a family member or a friend for help who knows driving.
The other person will reverse the vehicle to the trailer so that the ball and hitch will fix properly. You will have to look after some steps again and again to see and drive.
It will take more time to do it alone, but you can decrease the time duration by calling your friend. It needs consideration and focuses on each step to fix the camper properly.
You should reverse it slowly and according to the instruction of the person standing outside. Then, you can drive and ask your friend to see the hitch and ball facing each other if he is uncomfortable driving.
Tilt-up the trailer by raisers
The camper has a long tail at one side; you should fix a hand crank to raise it few inches above the ball. This ball is present at the bumper of the vehicle.
It should be 2 inches to 3 inches above the surface of the ball. The manufacturer made the raisers with high-quality metal that can bear the heavyweight and lift the bodies.
Place the hand crank near the hitch and fix it around. Then, start rotating the hand crank until it lifts the hitch upward and locks it when it reaches the desired position.
The raiser has the support to the ground that looks like a metal stand. It opens and closes when you rotate the hand crank clockwise and anti-clockwise direction.
Appropriately locate and secure the ball and hitch
First, measure the distance between the hitch receiver and ground and then between the trailer coupler and floor. You should take this measurement when it is in a balanced state.
The next step is to locate the ball and hitch it at the appropriate location when you have lifted it. Then, reverse the vehicle near to it and stop when it reaches.
The camper at the back has the ball in the middle at a perfect position. It will balance the caravan during driving and turning. Secure the ball and hitch at the proper place with the help of nuts and bolts.
Tighten these with a wrench and pliers but do not fix it entirely at once. First, insert all the nuts and place the washer but leave it a bit loose.
Repeat the tightening process, and this time tight each bolt with power to not produce an irritating sound. Sometimes the loose thing causes disturbance and also affects the functionality.
You should look carefully at all the parts before dragging your vehicle.
The manufacturer made the ball and hitches with high-quality carbon steel with excellent durability. In addition, it is weather-friendly and does not get rust when exposed to moisture.
Here are five classes of hitches based on the towing weight capacity.
Class 1: Lift the weight up to 1990 pounds.
Class 2: Lift the weight up to 3200 pounds.
Class 3: Lift the weight up to 8050 pounds.
Class 4: Lift the weight up to 10010 pounds.
Class 5: Lift the weight up to 12150 pounds.
Lower the trailer hitch and secure it with pins, chains
Reverse the SUVs and take the ball beneath the hitch receiver. These should be aligned properly, and start rotating the hand crank in an anti-clockwise direction slowly.
Its neck contains a coupler that will fix the ball. Keep rotating it until these fix together; if there is a minor difference, you should lift it again by turning it in the opposite direction.
Handle the steering and again move the vehicle until you get your desired position. Then, lower the camper hitch and fix the ball in the receiver for further procedure.
Secure the couplers with pins and clips perfectly. Do not leave the ball and hitch joint freely. You should attach the chain as it can achieve the maximum turning angle.
Electrical connection for brake system and lights
A Brake system is compulsory in the trailer to tow it with SUVs. There are two types of brake systems: a hydraulic surge brake and an electric brake system.
The hydraulic brake is often present in boat campers that submerge in the water, while the electrical brake system has a connection with the SUVs. In addition, there are harness wires that will connect to the electrical wire of the towing vehicle.
The camper should have a proper electrical supply for the lights. The neon and fluorescent lights are also preferable in the dark when you are towing it.
It will also decrease the risk of accidents in the dark as it is visible to the other drivers. You should keep on the safety lights and also use the indicators while turning on the roads.
Why do you need to hook up a trailer to an SUV?
There is a need to hook it up to an SUV for your convenience and cargo. Many people have small size vehicles that do not have enough cargo capacity. It is better to put a camper at the back with a hitch.
For dragging bicycle and bike
You will need this to take your bicycle when you are going on a picnic for some days. Many people place the cycle on the roofs and tie it with rope. I like to add bike racks to my SUV.
It is helpful to attach the roof racks above the vehicle and then place the bicycle on it. It will reduce the chances of scratches and damage to roof paint when you pass through a rough track.
You have to fix a trailer at the back if you want to carry the bike. The bikes are heavier than the bicycle and need extra support and a strong grip. Heavy bikes can harm the roof when you try to place these on the crossbars.
You can take both bicycle and bike when you have the camper. Park your large vehicle at one place and unload the cycle or motorcycle to enjoy bike riding and cycling.
For towing
You can tow boats and campers easily for a long journey. It depends on the weight capacity and space of the trailer. Many SUVs can pull heavyweight because the engine power is excellent.
You can also tow the lawnmowers, equipment, tools, and another vehicle by attaching these things with a hitch or load on them.
Smaller vehicles also need a trailer
Some people have the perception that only the larger trucks can tow it, but it is not true. You can also hook it up with smaller vehicles as it is available in different sizes and weights.
It can carry the ladder, lumber, paddleboats, and camping material with it. People used to take their luggage in cargo space and on the roof before introducing the trailer.
Stability
The one most significant advantage of the camper at the back of the vehicle is the stability. Loading more things on the bed can lose balance when you randomly put things, but it does not occur when you attach the suitable camper at the back.
The steering and brake system will control the hitch as the electric wires are connected. Sometimes it stops when you apply the brake because it has a sensor.
Which types of the trailer are best for SUVs?
The types depend on your need, size, and the towing capacity of the vehicle. You can select the best fit from the following types.
Flat trailer
It can carry the small steel coins to the lumber on the bed. You can load the heavy and awkward-shaped items on it.
It can carry agricultural equipment, landscaping items, scrapes metals, construction material, transport oil and gas, rigs, and miscellaneous oversize loads. It can bear all the above things due to the larger hauling capacity and deep well.
Utility trailers
The manufacturer made it to carry the grocery and other things. So many people attach it when going shopping for convenience.
The one thing that makes it different from the flat trailer is guardrails. It has guardrails for support and keeps the things on the bed. So you can put the instruments and other things without the fear of falling.
There are many designs and styles of guardrails in the market. You can replace and attach it to the flat one to make it a utility camper.
Some guardrails have grills with large gas, and some have a smaller area between the rods that will hold the smaller things.
Traveler trailer
These are the best campers to tow when going on a long journey with your partner or family member. It has all the facilities as home and decreases the cost of restaurants and hotels.
You can enjoy and fun with your friends as you have all the comforts and accessories. It is like a close cabin which you can park at the side and rest for a while.
The most interesting thing regarding this is that you can separate it from the vehicles when you start camping. So you can free your SUV whenever you want during the journey and after the adventure.
Gooseneck
These are longer, wider, and can carry more weight as compared to the others. All the weight depends on the back of the truck’s real axis that provides more stability than the bumper pull.
The gooseneck is named after its neck design that is not straight. Instead, it has a goose mounted over the surface to the ball. As a result, it is less expensive and has a lightweight bed with a smaller compartment to store accessories.
Fifth-wheel style
The fifth wheel style trailers are long and have a gap between the rear wheels of the vehicles and the front wheel of the camper.
It provides more stability than the gooseneck with smoothness and is easy to tow compared to the small size. It has extra space in the basement as well for storage of things and can tow more weight.
Things to consider when adding a trailer to your SUV
Do not overload the trailer by putting heavy ad extra weight on it. The weight should not exceed the towing capacity. It can be less the towing but not greater than that.
Put fluorescent lights at the back and sides of the trailer that glow at night. You can also use neon lights to keep your trailer shiny in the dark.
Fix hitch and ball at the proper position and secure these with pins, hook, and clips.
Tighten the nuts and coupler forcefully to avoid irritating sounds and disturbance.
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