The Complete Guide to 1-1/4" Receiver Hitches

If you're purchasing your first 1-1/4” receiver hitch or upgrading your current setup, our guide has everything you need to make the right choice. We'll walk you through selecting the best hitch for your vehicle, explore the benefits and drawbacks of a 1-1/4” receiver hitch, and highlight essential accessories. Let’s dive in!

1. 1-1/4" Receiver Hitch Pros & Cons
2. 1-1/4” Receiver Accessories
3. 1-4/” Hitch Classes and Vehicle Types
4. How to Choose the Right 1-1/4” Receiver
5. Newest 1-1/4” Receiver Hitches
6. FAQ

Many believe 1-1/4" hitches are only for towing small trailers, but they are often used for bike racks, cargo carriers, or other lightweight hitch-mounted accessories. They’re popular additions for sedans and small SUVs.

Although it has a lower towing capacity, a 1-1/4" hitch is perfectly suited for compact vehicles and light-duty tasks. Its smaller size often integrates better with cars and small SUVs, offering adequate performance without unnecessary bulk.

Unfortunately, not all vehicles are compatible with a 1-1/4" hitch. For example, larger trucks and SUVs generally require a 2" or larger hitch for their towing capacities.

While fewer options exist compared to the 2" size, many manufacturers produce bike racks, cargo carriers, and small towing accessories specifically for 1-1/4" hitches. 

One of the best things about a 1-1/4" receiver hitch is its versatility. It works with many accessories, such as ball mounts, cargo carriers, bike racks, and more. This makes it easy to customize your towing setup for any outdoor activity.

1. 

   ActiveLink 1-1/4" Receiver Shank

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2. 

   Hitch-Mounted Bike Rack (2 Bikes, 1-1/4" or 2" Shank)

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3. 

   1-1/4" Rubber Hitch Tube Cover

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4. 

   1/2" Hitch Pin (1-1/4" Receiver, Zinc, Packaged)

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   48" x 20" Black Steel Basket Cargo Carrier (1-1/4", 2" Adapter, 500 lbs.)

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   48" x 20" Black Steel Tray Cargo Carrier (1-1/4", 2" Adapter, 300 lbs.)

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   Extendable Hitch-Mounted Bike Rack (2 or 4 Bikes, 1-1/4" or 2" Shank)

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If you're considering a 1-1/4” receiver hitch, you'll need either a Class 1 or Class 2, depending on your vehicle and what you plan to tow. For smaller sedans carrying a cargo rack, a Class 1 hitch is a perfect choice. However, if you're towing a small utility trailer, you'll want the added strength of a Class 2 hitch, which has a higher towing capacity.

Remember, your towing capacity is always limited to the lowest-rated towing component, whether it’s your hitch, an accessory, the vehicle, your cargo rack, or any other component of the towing system. For example, if you have a class 2 receiver hitch and your compact SUV has a towing capacity of 1,5000 lbs., you can only tow a trailer up to 1,500 lbs. even though your hitch may be rated for 2,000 lbs. 

Choosing a receiver hitch for your vehicle is easier than you might think. CURT hitches are custom-designed to fit each specific vehicle, so all you need to do is provide your vehicle’s year, make, and model to find the perfect hitch. From there, you can select the right hitch class and style for safely towing your load.

Another thing to consider is the appearance of the hitch. For instance, you might not want a bulky, square hitch body ruining the sleek look of your sporty SUV. Fortunately, CURT offers both concealed and exposed hitch styles for many vehicles, so you can find one that matches both your towing needs and your vehicle’s style.

1. Use CURT’s online tool to look up the year, make, and model of your vehicle.
2. Find out the overall weight of your trailer, boat, camper, or whatever you’ll be towing.
3. Select a hitch class based on the weight of what you’ll be towing.
4. After choosing your 1-1/4” hitch receiver, you’ll need to purchase a few additional accessories like a 1-1/4" ball mount, hitch lock, and wiring harness. 

CURT continues to push the envelope with new hitch development by engineering high-quality, dependable custom hitches for your vehicle. Each and every CURT custom receiver hitch is made in the USA and engineered to fit your vehicle make, model, and year. Check out some of our newest 1-1/4” receiver hitch options.

The weight a 1-1/4" hitch can pull depends on the class of the hitch and the vehicle it is installed on. A Class 1 hitch is typically rated for a maximum towing capacity of 2,000 lbs for the gross trailer weight (GTW) and a tongue weight (TW) of 200 lbs. A Class 2 hitch, on the other hand, is generally rated for a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 lbs for the GTW and a tongue weight of 350 lbs.

It's important to note that the actual weight limits can vary depending on the specific manufacturer’s rating, so it's essential to check both the vehicle’s towing capacity and the hitch’s rating to ensure you don’t exceed these limits.

With a 1-1/4" hitch, you can tow a variety of small to moderate loads, depending on the class of the hitch and the vehicle's towing capacity. Some examples of what you could town with a 1-1/4" hitch include small utility trailers, jet skis or small boats, pop-up campers, cargo carriers, and bike racks.

For a 1-1/4" trailer hitch, you'll need a 1/2" diameter hitch pin. This is the most common size used for securing accessories like bike racks or small trailers to the hitch receiver. The pin's length will vary, but generally, it will be around 3" to 4" long long to fit through the receiver hole and allow for a clip or lock to secure it.

1-1/4" trailer hitches fall under either class 1 or class 2. Class 1 trailer hitches have a towing capacity up to 2,000 lbs. and a tonue weight up to 200 lbs. Class 2 hitches are stronger and provide additional strength for heavier loads. Class 2 hitches have a towing capacity up to 3,500 lbs. and a tonue weight up to 350 lbs. 

The easiest way to find the right trailer hitch for your vehicle is by using CURT’s online vehicle selector tool. Simply enter your vehicle’s year, make, and model, and the tool will show you which class of hitch is compatible. Be sure to also consider your vehicle’s towing capacity and what you plan to tow. For example, if you have a 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan, you have the option to choose between a class 1 or a class 2 hitch. Your choice will depend on what towing capacity you need and whether you're trying to attach a bike rack or cargo carrier, or tow a small utility trailer.

Yes, it is generally safe to use a 1-1/4" to 2" hitch adapter, as long as you stay within the manufactuer's reccomended guidelines. You also have to consider the fact that an adapter extends the load farther from the vehicle, creating extra torque that 1-1/4-" hitches — especially Class I hitches — are not designed to support. By using a 1-1/4" to 2" hitch adapter, you reduce the hirch or vehicle's tongue weight capacity by up to 50%. This means a class I hitch would only be able to supper around 100 pounds of tongue weight or less.

Typically, when using an adapter, the towing capacity can be reduced by 30% or more, depending on the adapter and hitch setup. Always consult the vehicle and hitch manufacturer's guidelines for specific recommendations regarding towing capacity when using an adapter.

Disclaimer: These photographs, recommendations, and approximations are intended for demonstration purposes only and do not reflect the specifications of any particular tow vehicle, recreational vehicle, or trailer. Always consult the manufacturer’s Owner's Manual.