How to Prepare Your Truck for Summer Trailer Season

Curt Class V Trailer Hitch

While not every application requires a Class V load rating, it’s always better to over-spec your tow package than under-spec! The Curt Class V Trailer Hitch is the epitome of heavy-duty, featuring a one-piece, all-steel construction, and corrosion-resistant powder coat finish. With a tow rating of 17,000 pounds, the Curt Class V Trailer Hitch can haul any load you can throw at it, ranging from large travel trailers to haulers, utility trailers, and more! You can’t beat the Curt Class V Trailer Hitch for the perfect balance of work and play.

If you’re installing a hitch to your mid-size or light-duty half-ton pickup, check out Curt’s Class III and Class IV hitches.

Features:

• Textured-black powder-coat finish

• Heavy-duty steel construction

• Class V 2" receiver gross towing capacity is up to 17,000 lbs

• Class V 2" receiver tongue weight capacity is around 2,400 lbs

• Class V 2.5" receiver tongue weight capacity is around 2,700 lbs

• Hauls the heaviest of loads, including haulers, utility trailers & more

• Limited lifetime structural warranty & 1-year finish warranty

Weigh Safe Adjustable 180 Ball Mount

Every sturdy hitch needs a high-quality ball mount to accompany it, like the Weigh Safe Adjustable 180 Ball Mount! This heavy-duty, aircraft-grade aluminum ball mount comes in 2, 2.5, and 3-inch shank sizes, fitting a variety of factory and aftermarket hitches. The Weigh Safe Adjustable 180 Ball Mount Hitch is the ideal addition to lifted pickups, sporting an adjustable design that raises or lowers in 1-inch increments; 4, 6, 8, and 10-inch drop models are available. As a bonus, the ball mount features a 180-degree turnover ball, including 2 and 2-5/16-inch sizes that you can cycle between in seconds! 

Features:

• Constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum

• Available in 2”, 2.5”, or 3” shank

• Features 2” & 2-5/16” stainless steel or chrome balls

• 180-degree turnover ball with 4”, 6”, 8”, or 10” drop

• Choice of polished aluminum or black cerakote finish

• V5 and J684 Certified

• Drop or raise in 1” increments

• Includes dual pin key lock assembly & dust lock cover

• Most sizes are stowable when not in use

• Can be purchased with a locking hitch pin

• USA-made

B&W Tow & Stow Ball Mount

Nearly every truck owner can benefit from a high-quality ball mount, like the B&W Tow & Stow. This premium steel ball mount offers exceptional strength and durability, keeping your trailer secured to your pickup. B&W offers the Tow & Stow ball mount for 2, 2.5, or 3-inch receivers in 3, 5, 7, and 9-inch drop configurations, allowing you to tailor the hitch to your unique application. Available in 2 and 3-ball setups, the Tow & Stow allows you to swap between hitch ball sizes in seconds; forget lugging around a separate ball mount for each size! And whenever you finish towing, tuck the hitch ball under the bed to prevent smacking your shins while walking behind your pickup.

Features:

• Multiple ball sizes eliminate the need for multiple ball mounts

• Available for 2”, 2.5”, or 3” receivers

• Available in 3”, 5”, 7”, or 9” drop

• Height adjusts in 1" increments for level towing

• Manufactured from high-strength steel

• Durable black powder coat or nickel-plated chrome finish

• Two-process plating to help prevent corrosion

• Easily stows while not in use 

• Stainless steel pins

• Anti-theft design

• USA-made

• Limited lifetime warranty

CIPA Custom Towing Mirrors

For a budget-friendly option, you can’t beat CIPA Custom Towing Mirrors. These clamp-on towing mirrors are custom-molded to your particular vehicle’s mirrors, allowing them to slip directly over the factory mirror head. Then, simply snug down the mirror with the included wedge lock and threaded knob for a secure installation! These premium, American-made mirrors are constructed from high-grade ABS plastic and OE-grade glass, ensuring vibration-free service and crystal-clear visibility through the oversized blind-spot mirror. When finished towing, you can remove the CIPA mirrors in seconds and stow them until the next trip! 

Features:

• Made with durable ABS plastic & OE-grade glass

• Allows you to see your trailer and its surroundings

• Slides over existing mirror with wedge lock security

• Custom-fit design ensures a perfect fit with no vibration

• Does not obstruct existing mirror

• Easy tool-free installation 

• All hardware included

• Sold as a pair or individually

• USA-made

• 1-year limited warranty

SPEC-D Towing Mirrors

If you’re looking for a more permanent solution, check out our inventory of full-replacement towing mirrors from SPEC-D! These high-quality towing mirrors offer next-level visibility and styling with OE-style designs, integrated turn signals (where applicable), and telescopic/fold-out mirror heads for enhanced coverage. Rather than clamping to your pickup’s existing mirror heads, these towing mirrors completely replace your factory paddle-style mirrors. For ease of installation, SPEC-D mirrors retain the factory mounting locations for a quick, bolt-on replacement. 

Features:

• Complete mirror replacement

• Sold as a pair (driver & passenger side mirrors)

• Great for hauling long or wide loads & campers

• Custom-fit for your specific vehicle

• Black or chrome finish options are available

• Includes reinforcement brackets to prevent vibration

• Direct bolt-on installation

• Professional installation is highly recommended

• 30-day warranty

K Source Universal Towing Mirrors

If you plan to switch the tow mirrors between pickups/SUVs, check out the K Source Universal Towing Mirrors! These clamp-on mirrors feature a universal design that mounts to any application, secured with integrated ratchet straps or clamps. K Source mirrors are sold individually and fit passenger and driver-side mirrors, making installation quick and easy. 

Features:

• Each mirror can be mounted on your left or right side view mirror

• Adjustable to fit a wide variety of mirrors

• Single and dual-mirror styles are available

• Rubber pads prevent damage to your mirrors

• Adjustable glass

• Quick-release button

• Easy tool-free installation

• Sold individually

Timbren Suspension Enhancement Systems

Your truck's factory bump stops function relatively well while unloaded; however, they engage late in the suspension cycle. They’re also highly rigid, resulting in sudden and uncomfortable impacts when you hit a substantial dip or bump that bottoms out the suspension. 

Timbren Suspension Enhancement Systems improve upon your truck’s factory bump stops, offering a compliant yet stable ride thanks to their longer length and patented Aeon rubber construction. In addition to improving ride quality, Timbrens improve stability and reduce suspension sag, making for a far more controllable and comfortable ride with a heavy load in the bed or trailer on the hitch!

Features:

• Constructed out of patented Aeon rubber

• Improves ride and handling

• Helps eliminate sag and trailer sway

• Functions independently, improving uneven load handling

• Keeps vehicle level while hauling

• Vehicle-specific design for easy installation, and optimal performance

• Maintenance-free

• Includes powder-coated steel brackets

• Timbren SES are meant to improve ride while carrying a load, not to increase capacity - NEVER exceed Mfg. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

• Lifetime warranty

Firestone Ride-Rite All-in-One Air Bag Suspension Kits

Transform your pickup into the ultimate hauling machine with Firestone’s Ride-Rite All-in-One Air Bag Suspension Kits. These comprehensive kits include everything necessary to install towing bags onto your pickup, including vehicle-specific bracketry and hardware, rugged airbags, compressor, gauge, plumbing, and wiring! Firestone’s Ride-Rite airbags can handle the tongue weight of even the longest travel trailers, rated at 3,200–5,000 lbs. per pair.

Features:

• Bolt-on system

• Includes vehicle-specific hardware and bracketry

• Rated at 3,200–5,000 lbs. per pair

• Provides everything necessary for installation

• Reduces spring sag

• Won’t affect unloaded ride quality

• Simple in-cab adjustments

• 2-year, 24,000-mile warranty

Air Lift 1000 Air Bag Kits

Boost your coil-sprung rear suspension-equipped truck’s towing performance with Air Lift’s 1000 Air Bag Kit! This high-quality kit includes heavy-duty air bladders engineered to install inside your pickup’s rear coil springs (if equipped). These bags offer up to 1,000 lbs of load assistance when inflated, leveling your pickup and improving ride quality while towing or hauling heavy. Each kit includes two airbags, air lines, cable ties for line management, and all fittings/hardware, making installation a breeze! Using the included Schrader valve, adding and relieving pressure from the bags with an external air compressor only takes seconds.

Features: 

• Provide up to 1,000lbs of leveling capacity

• Specifically designed for coil-sprung vehicles

• Reduce bottoming out when towing or hauling heavy loads

• Helps to balance uneven loads, increasing traction and stability

• Installs inside of existing coil spring

• Available for front and rear applications

• Limited lifetime warranty