I wasn’t aware that bumper-pull trailer hitches were rated on the amount of weight they could safely carry until I saw a torn, mangled picture of a hitch on Facebook. The posting warned that horse owners should check their hitches, as most were only rated to 5000 to 6000 pounds. I checked my own hitch, which–sure enough–was rated at 6000 pounds. I only have a 2-horse trailer that generally only carries one horse, but that weight combined (plus all my equipment) comes very close to that limit.
I knew I had to get a hitch with a higher weight rating, but I didn’t realize there are all KINDS of measurements that should be taken if I was to buy the correct one. How long a drop? What size should the hole be? What size hitch box did I have? And boy oh boy, can these things get expensive….
In my search, however, I found a handy guide that I thought might be useful to others. In the meantime, bumper-pull trailer owners, go check your own hitch rating!
Florida Sport Horse Club 