The Best Truck Hitches and Hitch Accessories

Truck hitch receivers are most commonly paired with ball mounts to tow campers, utility trailers, and boat trailers—but the receiver is capable of far more than towing. It provides a stout, easily accessible mounting point for a wide range of accessories, from gear mounts and cargo carriers to skid plates, steps, and reverse lighting.

This guide covers some of the most useful hitch accessories available at RealTruck, ranging from towing-specific hardware to more specialized options like hitch-mounted reverse lights and cargo cranes. Read on to get more out of your truck's receiver hitch.

Before buying any hitch-mounted accessory, confirm your truck's hitch class. The class determines your receiver's inner diameter and the maximum load your hitch is rated to handle. 

Here's a quick reference:

Most half-ton trucks come factory-equipped with a Class III or Class IV 2-in. receiver. Heavy-duty three-quarter-ton and one-ton trucks typically step up to a Class V 2-1/2-in. receiver. All products featured in this guide are designed for 2-in. receivers unless otherwise noted—if your truck has a 1-1/4-in. or 2-1/2-in. receiver, a Curt hitch adapter can bridge the gap without replacing the hitch itself.

Best For: Occasional to regular towers. The first step to a safe haul is having all the right gear, like a reliable ball mount, hitch adapters, and more. 

This section covers the essentials for anyone who regularly hooks up a trailer, covering the products that keep the connection secure and the haul straightforward.

A ball mount is just as essential as the hitch receiver itself. It bridges your truck's receiver and the trailer's coupler—and buying the ball mount, hitch ball, and hardware separately is a hassle you don't need. Curt Ready Tow Ball Mounts include everything in one package: a durable powder-coated forged steel ball mount, chrome-plated steel hitch ball, and chrome-plated hitch pin.

Curt Ready Tow ball mounts come in 2-in. to 3-in. shank diameters and accommodate 1-7/8-in. to 2-5/16-in. hitch balls, covering most trailer and truck configurations. Each assembly is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

Features:

• Fitments for 2–3-in. hitch receivers

• Options for single and multiple 1-7/8–2-15/16-in. hitch balls

• Complete assembly includes mount, ball, pin, and clip

• Durable forged steel construction

• Corrosion-resistant black powder coat finish

• Chrome-plated trailer ball

• Easy installation

• Limited lifetime warranty

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Standard hitch pins and clips can be removed in seconds without any specialty tools—leaving your ball mount, gear carrier, or even a trailer vulnerable to theft. A Curt Trailer Hitch Lock addresses that directly.

Curt hitch locks and coupler locks come in various styles and sizes to fit most truck and trailer setups, with an integrated lock cylinder and two included keys. Backed by a limited lifetime structural and one-year parts and finish warranty.

Features:

• Multiple sizes, styles, and finishes available

• 5/8-in. fits 2-in. and 2.5-in. receivers—1/2-in. fits 1-1/4-in. receivers

• Durable construction for years of use

• Includes two keys

• Easy installation

• Limited lifetime structural | 1-year finish and parts warranty

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If you tow different-sized trailers or have leftover towing hardware from a previous truck, there's no need to buy all-new accessories. A hitch adapter or extender lets you work with what you have.

Want to haul a 5th-wheel trailer in your gooseneck-equipped truck without drastically altering the in-bed setup? The B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch is the perfect solution—compatible with B&W Turnoverball gooseneck hitch and factory 5th-wheel prep packages. 

Features:

• Custom-fit for your model truck

• Compatible with the B&W Turnoverball gooseneck hitch or a factory 5th wheel prep package

• Fully articulating head allows front-to-back and side-to-side pivoting

• No mounting rails

• One-inch-thick cast-locking jaws provide a strong connection and smooth ride

• Polyurethane bushings provide a quiet, rattle-free towing experience

• Limited lifetime warranty

• Made in the USA

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When the issue is receiver size or length rather than ball size, Curt Trailer Hitch Adapters offer a straightforward solution. Curt offers both adapters—which convert your truck's receiver size—and extenders, which add length to provide additional clearance for hitch-mounted accessories.

All Curt adapters feature durable carbon steel construction and a corrosion-resistant powder coat finish. Adapters come in configurations ranging from 1-1/4-in. to 3-in., while extenders are available in 1-1/4-in. to 2-in. sizes in hollow and solid shank configurations. Backed by a limited lifetime material and 1-year parts and finish warranty.

Features:

• Adapters and extenders available

• Extenders provide additional clearance for hitch-mounted accessories

• Adapters convert receiver hitch size

• Various sizes available

• Durable carbon steel construction

• Corrosion-resistant black powder coat finish

• Easy installation

• Limited lifetime material | 1-year parts and finish warranty

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Best For: Compact trucks with small beds—Ford Maverick, Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma Double Cab—providing additional cargo capacity outside of the bed without encroaching into the cab. 

When cab and bed space are tight, a hitch-mounted cargo carrier is one of the easiest ways to expand your truck's hauling capacity without adding a roof rack or sacrificing bed access.

The Buyers Hitch Cargo Carrier is a rugged, hitch-mounted storage solution built around a heavy-duty steel frame and a durable polyethylene container. With 17 cubic feet of interior space and a 300-lb. capacity, it handles luggage, riding gear, tools, and more with ease.

Two molded padlock hasps let you secure the carrier against theft with a pair of padlocks (sold separately). Made in the USA and backed by a limited 1-year warranty.

Features:

• Durable powder-coated steel frame

• Polyethylene storage container

• Hitch-mounted with 5/8-in. hitch pin

• Pre-drilled frame with included instructions for easy assembly

• 17 cubic-foot capacity

• 300-lb. capacity

• Two pad-lockable hasps for security (padlocks sold separately)

• USA-made

• Limited 1-year warranty

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Traction recovery boards are essential trail gear—but they eat up valuable bed space. The Sloggn Recover Board Bracket Kit solves that by mounting your boards to Sloggn's Base Deck system, keeping them accessible without giving up cargo room.

The bracket kit is built from 4mm-thick stamped steel with a durable black powder coat finish, and installed using the included Sloggn 5-in-1 deck wrench. It's compatible with ActionTrax, Maxtrax, and other popular traction recovery boards. 

Note: The Sloggn Recover Board Bracket Kit is an add-on for the Sloggn Base Deck system, which is sold separately. Backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

Features:

• 4mm-thick stamped steel construction

• Corrosion-resistant powder coat finish

• Easy installation with included 5-in-1 deck wrench

• Compatible with 1-1/4-in. and 2-in. hitch receivers

• Fits ActionTrax, Maxtrax, and other popular traction recovery boards

• Requires Sloggn Base Deck kit (sold separately)

• Limited lifetime warranty

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Best For: Daily drivers and tow rigs. Hitch covers pull double-duty, protecting the hitch from debris and corrosion while allowing drivers to personalize their rides. 

A few seasons of mud, road salt, and moisture will corrode an unprotected hitch receiver—making it difficult to insert and remove accessories when you need them. A hitch cover keeps the receiver clean, dry, and functional between uses.

Protect your Jeep® or pickup’s hitch receiver against elemental exposure, rust, and corrosion with a Rugged Ridge trailer hitch plug. This hitch plug—manufactured from heavy-duty rubber—is easy to install and effective. The rubber construction creates a solid weatherproof seal, though it’s easy to move aside when it’s time to insert a ball mount or hitch carrier. 

Choose between the Rugged Ridge and Jeep logo depending on your application. Installation takes seconds, and each hitch plug is backed by a 5-year warranty. 

Features: 

• Durable rubber construction

• Fits 2-in. hitch receivers

• Available with Jeep® or Rugged Ridge® logo

• Prevents corrosion and elemental exposure

• Simple installation

• 5-year warranty

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Best For: Trades workers and those who frequently climb in and out of the bed. 

Getting into a lifted truck's bed is easier said than done—especially after a long day on the trail or job site. A hitch-mounted step gives you a stable platform right where you need it, without permanent installation.

The Go Rhino® HS-20 Hitch Bump Step improves bed access and adds a measure of rear impact resistance, all in one compact package. The step pad measures 6 in. by 12 in. and is spring-loaded—it folds down automatically under load and returns to a protective upright position when unweighted.

Built from mild steel with a textured black powder coat finish for corrosion resistance. Fits any 2-in. hitch receiver. Hitch pin not included. Backed by a limited five-year warranty.

Features:

• Sturdy mild steel construction

• Corrosion-resistant textured black powder coat finish

• Molded protective cover for impact resistance

• Spring-loaded, hinged design

• Extra-large 6-in. x 12-in. step pad

• Fits any 2-in. hitch receiver

• Hitch pin not included

• 5-year limited warranty

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When maximum accessibility is the goal, the Go Rhino Dominator Hitch Step delivers. Its 36-in.-wide step surface gives you a generous, non-slip platform for reaching into the bed or accessing the engine bay on taller applications. Compatible with any front or rear 2-in. hitch receiver.

The Dominator is available in 3-in. x .065-wall stainless steel with a mirror-polish finish and lifetime warranty, or carbon steel with a textured black powder coat finish and a three-year warranty.

Features:

• Carbon steel or stainless steel construction

• Polished or textured black powder coat finishes available

• 36-in.-wide step pad

• Compatible with front or rear 2-in. hitch receivers

• 3-in. x .065-wall tube design

• Moderate impact protection

• 3-year warranty for powder-coated steel configurations

• Limited lifetime warranty for stainless steel configurations

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Best For: Off-roaders, overlanders, and anyone who frequently travels off the beaten path. 

Off-road use puts the hitch receiver at risk of hang-ups on rocks, ledges, and trail debris. A hitch skid plate protects the receiver from impacts that could bend or crack it—and most double as a step for added functionality.

The Go Rhino HS-10 Hitch Skid Step combines a 12-in. non-slip step pad with a 3/16-in. poly skid plate, giving you bed access and trail protection in one hitch-mounted unit. Mild steel construction and a textured black powder coat finish handle the day-to-day abuse, while the poly skid plate reduces friction when sliding across rocks and obstacles.

Fits 2-in. receivers. Hitch pin not included. Backed by a 5-year limited warranty.

Features:

• Mild steel construction

• Textured black powder coat finish

• 12-in. step pad with non-slip hex-formed steel tread

• Compatible with 2-in. hitch receivers

• 3/16-in. poly skid plate for off-road protection

• Hitch pin not included

• 5-year limited warranty

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The Body Armor 4x4® Backbone Skid Plate Hitch Step is a multi-purpose hitch accessory that serves as a skid plate, step, recovery point, and wheel chock in one plate steel assembly. Installation requires no tools—just slip the 2-in. shank into your receiver and secure it. A corrosion-resistant powder coat finish handles the elements. Backed by a limited lifetime structural and 3-year finish warranty.

Features:

• Durable steel construction

• Corrosion-resistant black powder coat finish

• Compatible with 2-in. hitch receivers

• 3-in. x 12-in. step surface with raised treads

• Functions as a skid plate, hitch step, recovery point, and wheel chock

• Hitch pin not included

• Limited lifetime structural | 3-year finish warranty

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A few more accessories worth knowing about—products that use your receiver hitch as a mounting point but don't fit neatly into the categories above.

When your factory reverse lights don't provide enough visibility for hitching a trailer in low light or backing down a dark trail, the Baja Designs® S1 Hitch Light Kit fills the gap. The kit mounts a high-output S1 Sport LED pod in a standard 2-in. hitch plug and includes your choice of wiring harness: a toggle switch harness for independent operation or a trailer hitch harness that activates the light automatically when the truck is put in reverse.

The housing is hard-anodized and powder-coated cast aluminum with a hard-coated polycarbonate lens. It meets IK10 mechanical impact standards and IP69K waterproofing—rated for pressure washing up to 9 ft. of water pressure. Rated for 49,930 hours of use and backed by a lifetime warranty.

Features:

• Includes choice of toggle switch or trailer hitch wiring harness

• Hard-anodized and powder-coated cast aluminum housing

• Clear, hard-coated polycarbonate lens

• 49,930-hour rated lifespan

• IK10 compliant (mechanical impact)

• IP69K waterproof (rated to 9 ft., pressure-washer safe)

• Fits standard 2-in. hitch receivers

• Lifetime warranty

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The Rugged Ridge® Receiver Mount D-Shackle turns your 2-in. hitch receiver into a rated recovery point—no permanent modification required. The carbon steel hitch plug includes an integrated 3/4-in. D-ring shackle lug and shackle, rated for up to 9,500 lbs. of pulling force. A gloss black powder coat finish resists corrosion. Hitch pin not included. Backed by a 5-year warranty.

Features: 

• Durable carbon steel construction

• Gloss black powder coat finish

• Compatible with 2-in. hitch receivers

• Integrated 3/4-in. D-ring shackle lug

• Includes 3/4-in. D-ring shackle

• 9,500-lb. pulling capacity

• Hitch pin not included

• 5-year warranty

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Q: What Size Hitch Receiver Does My Truck Have?

A: Most half-ton trucks—F-150, Silverado 1500, Ram 1500, and similar—come from the factory with a Class III or Class IV 2-in. receiver hitch. Heavy-duty three-quarter-ton and one-ton trucks (F-250, Silverado 2500, Ram 2500, and above) often step up to a Class V 2-1/2-in. receiver. Compact trucks and older models may have a 1-1/4-in. receiver. Check your owner's manual or measure the opening on your existing hitch to confirm before ordering any hitch-mounted accessory.

Q: Can I Use Two Hitch Accessories at the Same Time—Like a Step and a Ball Mount?

A: Not with a single receiver. A standard hitch receiver accepts one accessory at a time. If you frequently need to switch between a ball mount and a step or cargo carrier, a hitch extender can provide a second mounting point, or you can look into dual-receiver hitch systems if your truck supports them. Some hitch step products also include a built-in ball mount for combined functionality.

Q: Will a Hitch-Mounted Cargo Carrier or Step Affect My Truck's Towing Capacity?

A: Hitch-mounted accessories count against your truck's tongue weight rating—not its gross trailer weight rating. Tongue weight is the downward force the hitch can support, typically around 10–15% of the gross trailer weight rating. A heavy cargo carrier loaded to its capacity can eat into that tongue weight budget quickly. Always check the tongue weight rating on your hitch and the loaded weight of any hitch-mounted accessory before combining them with a trailer.

Q: Do I Need a Hitch Pin When Using Hitch-Mounted Accessories?

A: Yes—always. A hitch pin (or hitch lock) is what secures the accessory's shank inside the receiver. Without it, the accessory can shift, rattle, or fall out under load or on rough terrain. Several products in this guide specifically note that a hitch pin is not included, so add one to your order if you don't have one on hand. A locking hitch pin is worth the upgrade if security is a concern.

Q: Can I Install a Hitch-Mounted Accessory on a Front Receiver Hitch?

A: Yes, for most accessories designed for horizontal mounting—steps, recovery shackles, and certain light kits are well-suited to front receivers. Cargo carriers and cranes are typically rear-mount only due to weight distribution and tailgate clearance considerations. The Go Rhino Dominator Hitch Step specifically calls out front and rear receiver compatibility. Always verify in the product listing before ordering for a front application.