Hitch pins are among those car/vehicle components that don’t receive much attention until something goes wrong. Improper hitch pin selection or incorrect use is rather dangerous. It is a common cause of trailer detachment, lost cargo, and dangerous road incidents.
As more people use trailers for work, recreation, and transport, understanding hitch pins becomes increasingly important. For example, did you know that hitch pins aren’t universal? Using the wrong hitch pin size or type can compromise the connection and cause serious safety risks.
This is why you need to learn all about this component and how it works. But what is a hitch pin?
What is a Trailer Hitch Pin
A hitch pin is a metal fastener that secures components in towing and hauling setups. It keeps a trailer hitch or accessory in place by passing through aligned holes in connected parts. It is rather simple in design and often overlooked, but it keeps trailers, cargo carriers, and bike racks firmly attached during transport.
Hitch pins are usually made from hardened steel or stainless steel. This allows them to withstand stress, vibration, and exposure to the elements. They often work together with a retaining clip, cotter pin, or locking mechanism to prevent accidental removal. Without a properly fitted hitch pin, even the strongest hitch receiver or trailer coupling becomes unsafe.
Towing places continuous strain on connection points. As a result, the hitch pin is an essential component for mechanical security. Using a hitch pin properly increases road safety, load stability, and legal compliance.
How Does a Hitch Pin Work
The whole concept behind how a hitch pin works is quite simple: a hitch pin goes through pre-drilled holes in two aligned components. These two components are usually the hitch receiver and the inserted accessory. Once the pin is fully inserted, a retaining mechanism is applied to stop it from backing out.
When the vehicle moves, the hitch pin prevents the hitch receiver and the accessory from separating. The retaining clip or locking mechanism ensures that vibration, road shocks, and motion cannot cause the pin to slide out unintentionally.
However, despite its simplicity, a hitch pin must be properly sized and fully seated to work as intended. Even a small amount of play can reduce its effectiveness and lead to some dangerous situations.
How to Choose the Right Size Hitch Pin for Your Trailer
There are actually several things you should consider when choosing the perfect size for your trailer’s hitch pin. Here is their brief overview:
1. Consider the Hitch Receiver Size
First, you need to take a look at the hitch receiver and its size. The most common receiver sizes are 1.25 inch, 2 inch, and 2.5 inch. The hitch pin must match the receiver size exactly to ensure a secure fit and prevent any unwanted movement.
2. Check Pin Diameter
Another important thing is the pin diameter. The diameter of the hitch pin must align with the holes in both the hitch receiver and the towing accessory. A pin that is too small can cause play and rattling. A pin that is too large will not fit properly, and you might be unable to even install it.
3. Ensure Proper Pin Length
The length of the hitch pin also matters because it must pass completely through both sides of the receiver and the accessory. If the pin is too short, it won’t engage fully. This increases the risk of failure during towing. A hitch pin that’s too long isn’t as dangerous, but it can look unsightly, plus it can gather too much dust, mud, dirt, and other debris.
4. Look for Load Capacity
Don’t forget about your trailer’s load capacity. Heavier trailers place greater stress on the hitch pin. For higher towing loads, choose a pin made from hardened steel or another high-strength material.
5. Ensure Durability: Material and Corrosion Resistance
Exposure to rain, snow, and road salt can cause corrosion over time. Stainless steel, aircraft-grade aluminum, and zinc-coated hitch pins offer better resistance to rust. This makes them ideal for frequent or long-term use.
6. Type of Retention or Locking Mechanism
Standard hitch pins use a clip or cotter pin to stay in place, while locking hitch pins offer added security against theft or failure. Locking hitch pins are more secure, but standard hitch pins are more convenient.
7. Consider Frequency of Use
For occasional towing, a basic hitch pin is perfectly fine. However, if you plan to use it for frequent towing or heavy-duty applications, you should buy a higher-quality or locking hitch pin.
Orionmotors Best Hitch Pin for Trailers
If you still don’t have a hitch pin, it’s time to buy one. Here are our top choices:
1. Heavy Duty Drop Hitch Suitable for a 2-inch Receiver
This heavy-duty adjustable hitch pin fits standard 2-inch Class 3 and 4 receivers. It can support up to 12,500 lb. with its dual-ball design. This hitch pin is built from aircraft-grade aluminum with corrosion-resistant balls, which makes it highly durable.
2. Adjustable Heavy Duty Trailer Hitch Suitable for a 2.5-inch Receiver
This heavy-duty adjustable hitch fits standard 2.5-inch Class 4 and 5 receivers. It can handle some serious towing, with dual balls rated up to 18,500 lb. This hitch pin is also built from aircraft-grade aluminum with corrosion-resistant chrome balls. As a result, it delivers a strong and stable performance as long as your coupler thickness stays under 0.5 inches for proper fit.
Final Words on Hitch Pin for Trailers
In this article, we have shown you what a hitch pin is, how it works, and how to choose a perfect one for your vehicle. In short, choosing a hitch pin of the right size is very important, as well as buying high-quality hitch pins from Orionmotors.
