What Hitch Do I Need to Rent a Trailer?

If you're trying to figure out what hitch you need to tow a trailer, here's the short answer: most utility and enclosed trailer rentals require either a 2-inch ball or a 2-5/16-inch ball. The listing tells you which one. Your job before booking is to confirm that ball size is on your vehicle, that the receiver on the back of your vehicle is the right size for the ball mount, and that the hitch is rated to handle the trailer's weight.

That's the whole checklist. The rest of this post explains what each of those terms means and how to confirm them — so you can browse trailer rentals and book with confidence rather than guessing.

The Three Numbers That Determine Hitch Compatibility

Ball size

The hitch ball is the sphere that the trailer's coupler locks onto. For rental trailers, three sizes cover nearly everything you'll find in listings:

• 1-7/8-inch ball: used on the smallest utility trailers — less common in the rental market but still present on light-duty listings
• 2-inch ball: the most common size for utility trailers, standard enclosed trailers and lighter equipment trailers
• 2-5/16-inch ball: required for heavier trailers — large enclosed trailers, dump trailers, equipment trailers and most trailers with a GVWR over 8,000 lbs

Ball size is listed in the spec table on every Big Rentals trailer listing. Match it exactly. A 2-inch ball will not seat correctly in a 2-5/16-inch coupler — it sits loose in the socket and can separate from the trailer while you're moving. The size is stamped directly on the top of the ball. Check it before every rental — don't guess by eye.

Receiver size

The receiver is the square tube welded to the back of the tow vehicle that the ball mount slides into. Two sizes are common on personal vehicles: 1-1/4-inch and 2-inch. The ball mount must match the receiver size, and most rental trailer setups work best with a 2-inch receiver.

• 1-1/4-inch receiver: common on smaller cars, compact SUVs and crossovers — limits the ball mount options and the weight class of trailer you can safely tow
• 2-inch receiver: standard on trucks, full-size SUVs and most tow-capable vehicles — compatible with the full range of rental trailers the vehicle's tow rating can handle

To find yours: measure the opening of the square tube on the back of the vehicle. If you have a ball mount already installed, it will have the receiver size stamped on the shank.

Hitch weight class and tow rating

The hitch on your vehicle has two ratings that matter: gross trailer weight (GTW) — the maximum total weight of the loaded trailer — and tongue weight (TW) — the downward force the trailer exerts on the ball. Both figures are stamped on the hitch receiver itself or listed in the vehicle owner's manual under towing specifications.

• Class I: up to 2,000 lbs GTW — small cars and light crossovers; limits trailer options to the smallest utility trailers
• Class II: up to 3,500 lbs GTW — compact SUVs and minivans
• Class III: up to 6,000–8,000 lbs GTW — most trucks and full-size SUVs; covers the majority of utility and enclosed trailer rentals
• Class IV/V: 10,000+ lbs GTW — heavy-duty trucks; required for larger equipment trailers and gooseneck trailers

The hitch rating and the vehicle's own tow rating are two separate numbers — the lower of the two is the actual limit. A truck rated to tow 10,000 lbs with a Class III hitch rated for 6,000 lbs is limited to 6,000 lbs. For a full explanation of how tow ratings work and how to find yours, see our guide on vehicle towing capacity explained.

How to Check the Listing Against Your Vehicle

Step 1: Find the hitch specs on the listing

Every Big Rentals trailer listing shows the required ball size in the spec table. Look for the "hitch ball size" field — it will read "2 in," "2-5/16 in" or similar. While you're there, note the plug type (4-pin flat, 5-pin or 7-pin round) — you'll need to confirm that connection matches your vehicle as well before pickup.

Step 2: Confirm the ball on your vehicle matches

The ball size is stamped on the top of the ball. Look directly at the ball on your hitch mount — the size is printed or stamped right on the top surface. If the size doesn't match what the listing requires, replacement balls are available at any auto parts store for $10–$20 and swap out in a few minutes with a wrench. If no ball is installed at all, you'll need a ball mount and ball matched to both your receiver size and the trailer's requirement.

• Ball size stamped on top of the ball — check it directly, not by eye
• Wrong size: buy the correct one at an auto parts store before pickup day
• No ball installed: buy a ball mount and ball matched to your receiver size and the trailer's ball size requirement

Step 3: Confirm the hitch rating covers the trailer's loaded weight

Find the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) on the trailer listing — this is the maximum loaded weight of the trailer including everything inside it. Your hitch's GTW rating must meet or exceed that number. If the trailer's GVWR is 7,000 lbs and your hitch is rated for 6,000 lbs, the hitch is underrated for that trailer regardless of what the vehicle itself can tow.

• GVWR is on every Big Rentals listing — use this number, not the trailer's empty weight
• Compare GVWR to your hitch's GTW rating — the hitch rating must be equal to or higher
• The limiting factor is whichever is lower: vehicle tow rating or hitch GTW rating

Common Vehicles and What They Can Tow

Full-size pickup truck (F-150, Ram 1500, Silverado 1500) with a Class III hitch. This setup covers the large majority of utility and enclosed trailer rentals — standard 6x12 utility trailers, most enclosed trailers up to 20 ft and dump trailers up to about 10,000 lbs GVWR. Tow ratings vary significantly by engine and configuration on the same model truck, so confirm your specific truck's rating from the door placard before booking a heavier trailer.

Mid-size SUV (RAV4, Explorer, 4Runner) with a Class II or III hitch. Handles smaller utility trailers and lighter enclosed trailers. Most mid-size SUVs are rated for 3,500–5,000 lbs — enough for a 6x10 utility trailer loaded with furniture or yard debris, but limited for heavier trailers. Check the owner's manual before booking anything over 3,500 lbs GVWR and confirm the hitch class on the vehicle.

Compact car or crossover with a Class I hitch. Limited to the smallest utility trailers — typically trailers under 2,000 lbs GVWR. Many compact vehicles have a minimal or no factory tow rating. Check the owner's manual before assuming the vehicle can tow at all; some compact cars are not rated for trailer towing regardless of whether an aftermarket hitch has been installed.

What to Do If the Hitch Doesn't Match

Wrong ball size

This is the easiest fix. Buy the correct ball at any auto parts store before pickup day — they're available for $10–$20 and install with a wrench in a few minutes. Match both the ball diameter and the shank diameter to the ball mount. If you're unsure, bring the ball mount to the store and have someone help you match it.

Hitch rating too low for the trailer

Two options: choose a lighter trailer within the hitch's GTW rating, or have a higher-rated hitch installed on the vehicle before the rental. Hitch installation typically takes a few hours at a hitch shop and costs $150–$400 depending on the vehicle and hitch class. Do not tow a trailer that exceeds the hitch's rated capacity — it is unsafe and voids most manufacturer warranties on the hitch.

• Choose a lighter trailer: look for listings with a lower GVWR that fits within your hitch's GTW rating
• Upgrade the hitch: schedule installation at a hitch shop before the rental date — don't leave this for the day before

Insurance and Damage Protection

Before towing a rented trailer, contact your auto insurance provider to ask whether your policy covers liability and towing-related damage claims.

Eligible rentals booked through Big Rentals also include Basic Rental Protection at checkout. This added protection can help limit your financial responsibility for certain damage or theft events during the rental period.

For full details on how Basic Rental Protection works, including deductibles, exclusions and renter responsibilities, review our FAQ and platform terms.

The Short Version

Checking hitch compatibility before booking takes about five minutes. Ball size and GVWR are on the listing. Ball size and receiver size are on your vehicle. Hitch class is stamped on the hitch or in the owner's manual. Match those numbers before booking and the pickup will go smoothly — wrong ball size on the day of pickup is the most avoidable first-timer problem there is.

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