The Complete Guide to 2-1/2" Receiver Hitches

Whether you’re getting your first 2-1/2" receiver hitch or upgrading your current one, our complete guide has everything you need to know for a successful purchase. We’ll walk you through choosing the right hitch for your vehicle, the benefits and drawbacks of a 2-1/2" receiver hitch, and essential accessories. Let’s dive in!

1. 2-1/2" Receiver Hitch Pros & Cons
2. 2-1/2” Receiver Accessories
3. What is a Class 5 Trailer Hitch?
4. How to Choose the Right 2-1/2” Receiver
5. Newest 2-1/2” Receiver Hitches
6. FAQ About 2-1/2" Trailer Hitches

There are a few common misconceptions about 2.5-inch receiver hitches that can lead to confusion when deciding if it's the right choice. Here are some of the key ones:

While 2-1/2" hitches are often rated for higher towing capacities, the actual towing capacity depends on both the hitch and the vehicle's rating. Simply using a larger hitch won’t increase the towing limit of a vehicle. Your towing capacity is always limited to the lowest-rated towing component whether that's your hitch, vehicle, or accessory. 

With the help of an adapter, it’s easy to use 2" accessories on a 2-1/2" trailer hitch. Some people think they’ll have to buy all new accessories, but adapters make this transition simple and straightforward. 

Many people assume these hitches are strictly for commercial towing, but they’re actually useful for personal applications too. Owners of large RVs, trailers, or boats often prefer 2-1/2" hitches for the added stability and capacity.

If your towing a small bass boat or utility trailer, upgrading to a 2-1/2" hitch might be unnecessary. A 2" hitch is often more convenient, lighter, and sufficient for average towing needs, making it a better fit for many drivers.

As mentioned above, one of the biggest misconceptions about a 2-1/2" receiver hitch is that it's not compatible with 2" accessories. That's far from the truth — as long as you have a 2-1/2" to 2" reducer sleeve or similar adapter. Whether you're looking for a cargo carrier, bike rack, weight distribution hitch or similar, you can use 2" hitch accessories with an adapter to customize your towing setup to suit all your outdoor adventures. 

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   No-Tool Anti-Rattle Hitch Clamp for 2-1/2" Receiver

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   SecureLatch Ball & Pintle Hitch (2" Ball, 20,000 lbs.)

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   Adjustable Pintle Mount (2-1/2" Shank, 20,000 lbs., 7-1/4" High, 10-3/4" Long)

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   2-1/2" Rubber Hitch Tube Cover

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   Pintle Hook (10,000 lbs., 2-1/2" or 3" Lunette Rings)

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   5/8" Hitch Lock (2" or 2-1/2" Receiver, Barbell, Stainless)

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If you’re in the market for a 2-1/2” receiver hitch, you’ll be looking for a class 5 (commercial duty) receiver. The type of receiver you need depends on the type of vehicle you have and what you’ll be towing. If you’re towing a livestock trailer, car hauler, heavy equipment trailer, or a large 5th wheel camper, you'll want a class 5 (commercial duty) hitch since it's designed specifically for towing very heavy loads 

Remember, your towing capacity is always limited to the lowest-rated towing component, whether it’s your hitch, an accessory, the vehicle, your trailer, or any other component of the towing system. For example, if you have a class 5 receiver hitch with an 18,000 lb. towing capacity and your truck has a towing capacity of 8,000 lbs., you can only tow a trailer up to 8,000 lbs. even though your hitch may be rated for higher. 

Choosing a receiver hitch for your vehicle is easier than it seems. CURT hitches are custom-made to fit specific vehicle types, so you can simply enter your vehicle’s year, make, and model to find the right hitch. After that, just select the appropriate hitch class and get ready for safe, secure hauling.

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 2-1/2” hitch receiver, you’ll need to purchase a few additional accessories like a 2-1/2" ball mount, hitch lock, and wiring harness.

CURT is dedicated to engineering reliable, high-quality hitches by developing custom designs that fit your specific vehicle. Each CURT trailer hitch is made in the USA and built specifically for your year, make, and model. Take a look at our latest 2-1/2" receiver hitch options!

Our CURT class 5 (commercial duty) 2.5" trailer hitches have a 18,000 - 20,000 lb. towing capacity and up to a 2,700 lb. tongue weight. CURT class 5 hitches are capable of towing large trailers, multi-car haulers, large RVs, 5th wheel campers, and heavy livestock trailers. 

2-1/2" receiver hitches are classified as a class 5 (commercial duty) trailer hitch. Class 5 (CD) hitches can tow up to 20,000 lbs. and feature a 2,000 lb. tongue weight. Class 5 hitches are typically found on larger trucks and commercial vehicles, such as the Ford F-250 / F-350, Chevy Silverado 2500 / 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 / 3500, and Ram 25000 / 3500. 

For a 2-1/2” receiver hitch, you will need to use a 5/8” diameter pin with a minimum length of 3”. A 5/8” diameter pin is recommended for use on all class 5 (commerical duty) hitches  with a 2-1/2” x 2-1/2” receiver. 

Yes, many people use a reducer sleeve that fits inside the 2.5" receiver, allowing you to attach a 2" hitch accessory. This can be especially useful if you have multiple vehicles or hitch attachments.

The easiest way to figure out which trailer hitch will fit your vehicle is by using CURT’s online vehicle selector tool. Enter in the year, make, and model of your vehicle, and it will show you which class hitch will fit your vehicle. You’ll also want to take into consideration the towing capacity of your vehicle and what you’ll be towing. For example, if you have a 2024 Chevy Silverado, you may be able to choose between a class 3, class 4, or class 5 receiver hitch. Which one you need will depend on the size and weight of the trailer, boat, or camper you’ll be towing.

Most 2-1/2" receiver hitches are found on larger, heavy-duty trucks, but you can measure the internal opening of the receiver tube to confirm if it’s 2-1/2". Look for any stamped information or labels on the hitch that might indicate the size.

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.