Receiver hitch
The trailer tongue sits behind the rear axle and pushes down on it. That load unloads the front axle, which affects steering and braking.
Weight distribution and sway control
A weight distribution hitch uses spring bars to spread tongue weight forward to the front axle and back to the trailer axles. Sway control is a separate function that resists side-to-side trailer movement. Some hitches combine both; Equal-i-zer, Blue Ox and Camping World all explain the difference.
Gooseneck vs fifth wheel
| Gooseneck | Fifth wheel | |
|---|---|---|
| Coupler | Ball in the bed, trailer coupler drops over it | Kingpin on the trailer locks into jaws on a hitch plate |
| Load position | Over or just ahead of the rear axle, so the truck carries the load better than a bumper pull | |
| Typical trailers | Flatbeds, livestock and equipment trailers | Most fifth-wheel RVs |
Adapters exist to connect one type to the other. CURT and Lippert both caution that adapters must be rated for the trailer and allowed by the trailer and hitch makers.
Leaf springs and axle wrap
Heavy hitch loads on leaf-spring rear ends can wind up the springs under hard launches. See traction bars and air bags.
Where this comes from
- Ram Trucks: Towing basics (PDF)
- Equal-i-zer: About your weight distribution hitch
- Blue Ox: Weight distributing hitches
- Camping World: Sway control vs weight distribution
- CURT: Gooseneck vs fifth wheel, adapters explained
- Lippert: 5th wheel vs gooseneck hitch
Last reviewed 2026-10-19. General information only: your owner's manual and service information come first.