Does A Tow Hitch Affect Your Extended Warranty?
Have you ever wondered if it is worth installing a tow hitch into your vehicle? Does a tow hitch affect your extended warranty? This accessory or modification entails a huge investment, so make sure you think twice before proceeding with this decision to ensure you can get your money’s worth. At the same time, it is crucial to understand how it impacts your vehicle performance to guarantee that you can optimize its use without damaging your vehicle. Let’s get started!
Key Takeaways
• A tow hitch is a modification to your vehicle that enables it to carry added cargo load, such as boats, trailers, campers, and sports equipment.
• There are many benefits to adding a tow hitch, such as being able to carry heavy cargo and protecting your rear bumper.
• When installing a tow hitch, consider the cargo weight, weight class, and installation.
• A tow hitch will not affect your extended warranty, but it is always a good idea to contact your warranty provider if you have any questions about car modifications.
What is a Tow Hitch?
A tow hitch is an equipment that is attached to your vehicle as an extension of its chassis. It allows you to hitch a trailer, camper, or any other cargo to the back of your vehicle.
It is made up of a receiver that attaches to the hitch via a ball mount. Once you screw the trailer ball into the mount, a coupler extends from the trailer and hooks into the ball. Upon locking all the components together, including the chains and wiring, it allows the vehicle to drive with the trailer behind it.
Uses of a Tow Hitch
There are various creative uses for a tow hitch to your vehicle, and here are some of them.
Additional Storage
The most common reason for installing a tow hitch is to provide additional storage. Whether you need to pack extra gear for camping, emergency supplies, or other equipment that won’t fit into your vehicle, a tow hitch is a great way to carry the extra cargo wherever you need to go. It is especially beneficial when transporting heavy and messy cargo that you don’t want inside your vehicle.
Sports and Recreation
A reliable tow hitch is also beneficial for carrying sports and recreational equipment, such as boats, bikes and sports equipment like paddle and surf boards or kayaking equipment. When investing in a tow hitch that could transport sports and recreational equipment, it’s important to evaluate the total weight and match it with the weight class for the tow hitch.
Added Protection to Rear Bumper
Another lesser-known benefit to installing a tow hitch is the protection it gives to your rear bumper in case of a rear collision. The tow hitch can absorb the impact during a minor collision or when backing up into an object or wall. It ensures that your rear bumper won’t absorb the full brunt of the impact, reducing damage to your vehicle.
Things to Consider Before Adding a Tow Hitch
Given that a tow hitch enhances your vehicle’s towing capacity or ability to carry a heavy cargo, there are many considerations to make before the installation. It boils down to three main considerations.
Cargo Weight
Cargo weight is the most important consideration if you decide to add a tow hitch to your vehicle. Consider what type of cargo you intend to hitch and the actual weight of the cargo. Do you intend to hitch a boat or a trailer?
Make sure to check the average cargo weight for each and compare it with the towing capacity of your vehicle.
Installation
It is important that a tow hitch is installed to your vehicle up to the standards. It is important to check the quality of installation not only because it can preserve your warranty, but also because it is for your own safety and that of other vehicles on the road.
You must check every component of the tow hitch to ensure they are of solid construction and securely mounted onto your vehicle. A secured mounting is non-negotiable when it comes to installing a tow hitch.
Weight Class
There are different classes available for towing hitches and it’s important that you don’t exceed the recommended weight for your specific class. Some tow hitch classes can carry up to 300 pounds and the higher classes can carry up to 2,000 pounds in weight.
Does a Tow Hitch Affect Your Extended Warranty?
The short answer is no. Adding a tow hitch will not affect or void your extended warranty.
However, it is important to check the cargo capacity for the specific type of tow hitch and your vehicle to ensure they are adequately matched. If your vehicle exceeds its towing capacity, it could ruin your transmission and your vehicle.
If you own a Ram truck and you want to ensure that your truck is carrying the adequate load for the tow, you can refer to this Ram towing guide.
Is Adding a Tow Hitch Worth It?
It depends on your intended use for the vehicle and if you carry a lot of heavy cargo, such as sports equipment and recreational tools. If not, it might not be worth the cost and effort to install a tow hitch. But if you do a lot of outdoor activities, such as camping and trailer adventures, it is a good investment as long as it is properly classed and installed to your vehicle.
FAQs
Does installing a tow hitch void the warranty?
The short answer is no. A manufacturer or warranty provider cannot void your warranty for installing a tow hitch. However, it is crucial to choose the right kind and size of tow hitch for your vehicle to ensure that it won’t suffer damage should you need to tow another vehicle or trailer later on. Making the right investment now could save you from a potentially costly expense later on, especially if you are denied of your warranty due to the damage caused by towing.
What is the advantage of a tow hitch?
The main advantage of installing a tow hitch to your car is the increased cargo capacity. When properly installed, you can use it to tow trailers, boats, campers, and other heavy loads that you cannot normally transport without this equipment.
Can a tow hitch be used for recovery?
While it would seem like it would be ideal for this purpose, a tow hitch is not designed for recovery. Choose different products for recovery to avoid damaging your car.
Does tow hitch affect gas mileage?
Adding a tow hitch can add to the drag of your vehicle, which reduces its aerodynamics. However, its impact is less than that of installing a roof rack. When your tow hitch is properly installed, you shouldn’t experience a significant impact on your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.
Can towing ruin transmission?
Towing can cause damage to the vehicle transmission over time, even when towing at short distances. It is essential to know your car’s towing capacity to match its capabilities with the weight of the cargo being towed.
