Non-Towing Uses for a Towing Hitch Receiver

We have all seen trailer hitch receivers on pickup trucks, SUVs, and even 2- and 4-door passenger cars, and we understand their purpose. You attach a hitch ball to tow a trailer. But as it turns out, having a rear shaft capable of holding several hundred pounds can be quite useful even if you don’t plan on towing anything. Hitch receivers are relatively standardized, with most using the same 2-inch square shaft, making it easy to match and mount alternative trailer hitch accessories. In this blog post, Barry’s Chevrolet provides some additional uses for the humble trailer hitch receiver.

Extra Cargo Carrier

It is common to need more cargo capacity than your vehicle can hold, yet still find the hassle of towing a trailer unnecessary. For such instances, a hitch-mounted extra cargo carrier can be mighty handy. These super-sturdy racks provide extra storage space that can be easily secured and hold up to 500 pounds. While certain models may cost you $200 or $300, investing in quality is justified in this instance. Some models include features such as a storage platform, ratchet straps, and a protective cover suitable for rainy conditions, and may even be lockable.

You will want to know your trailer hitch’s tongue weight capacity (typically around 10-15% of the maximum towing capacity) and stay within that limit. When driving, it can be easy to forget you have something hanging about two feet past your bumper. If you can see the carrier’s cargo in your rear camera, great! Otherwise, consider placing a Post-it note on your dashboard to remind you it is there, so you have no surprises when backing out of a parking lot.

Hitch Step

This one is exclusive to pickup trucks. Sometimes you want to adjust the cargo in your bed, but with everything contained behind a closed tailgate, you may be wary of stepping on your rear bumper. However, the receiver hitch can hold several hundred pounds, so a step with a receiver-mount can be quite useful. They are also affordable, with prices ranging from $30 to $70.

Hitch-Mounted Bike Rack

You have probably seen these rear-mounted bike racks before. The hitch receiver makes them easy to install, and depending on the rack, you can carry one to four bikes at a time. In contrast to a roof-mounted rack, these racks make it easy to load and unload bikes, creating less aerodynamic drag on the highway. A simple internet search will turn up several examples of these racks.

Auxiliary Lighting

If you like to camp or frequently work on projects near your vehicle, your tow hitch can serve as a mounting point for LED lights, which can be connected with an included wiring harness. Most such light systems can adjust the light angle up or down to concentrate illumination where it is needed.

Portable Hammock

OK, now we are getting into the unexpected. When camping or just hanging out somewhere away from home, it is hard to beat the comfort of a hammock, but finding two perfectly placed trees or bringing an entire hammock frame can be cumbersome. Enter the Hammaka Hammock Hitch Stand, which features two multi-section arms that extend ten feet on opposite sides, enabling the mounting of most full-size hammocks. Like most hammocks, you will be able to lie down with some side-swinging action, or, because it can hold up to 600 pounds (assuming your hitch receiver can hold over that), like most hammocks, you can also use it as a rear-facing seat for two or more with fore and aft swinging ability.

Hitch Safe

This may be the most practical use of a trailer hitch receiver in this entire blog post. It is also likely the most unexpected, and it is best that it stay that way. For anyone who worries about locking their keys in the car or wants to keep their keys and small valuables safe during a trip to the beach or lakeside, the HitchSafe HS7000 Key Vault is a great option. It connects to standard 2-inch receivers with bolts that can be removed only if the lockbox itself is removed, which requires a combination.

Possibly the best feature of this product is the included protective dust cover, which makes it appear like a standard hitch. Built entirely of metal for security, the HitchSafe HS7000 Key Vault costs about $74.95 and can be well worth it for the peace of mind it provides.

We hope that all our customers can derive the most utility, value, and enjoyment from the new or used vehicle they purchase from Barry’s Chevrolet, home of the 10-year/ 200,000-mile Limited Powertrain Warranty.