THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRUCK HITCHES

Looking for the official guide to different types of truck hitches? If so, we've got you covered. Take a look at what you should know here!

Whether you're hauling a truck or a trailer, there is a variety of hitches that will help you move your heavy load.

However, this will all depend on your selection prowess and getting the right type of hitch and its class that best suits your needs as well as fit your vehicle.

If you're dipping your toes into the trailer life or even looking for the right hitch for your truck, we've got it covered.

Keep on reading for a full breakdown of the different types of truck hitches, as well as a quick definition of what exactly is a trailer/truck hitch in the first place.

Truck Hitches: The Definition

Both known as a trailer or truck hitch, it's a device that allows you to tow another vehicle. It basically attaches the chassis of a vehicle to another.

Hitches come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Yet, all have the same mechanism, a tow ball, a tow pin, or a towing Pintle, to allow the articulation and swiveling movements of a trailer or a truck.

Moreover, the foundational breakdown of trailer hitches classification is whether a hitch is weight carrying or weight distributing. In addition, trailer hitches can be categorized by their weight capacities, also known as "classes."

Weight Carrying Versus Weight Distributing

As we mentioned earlier, the main distinction between hitch types are the weight carrying hitches versus the weight distributing ones.

Weight carrying hitches are the most common and popular type of hitches on the market. They work by bearing the trailer's tongue weight on the end (or rear) of the towing vehicle.

Usually, these hitches are enough to tow small and medium-sized trailers.

On the other hand, we have weight distributing hitches. These are more commonly used for heavier trailers and trucks because they work by evenly distributing the trailer's weight amongst the wheels of the trailer and the towing vehicle.

Types of Hitches: The Weight Carrying Edition

For the majority of trailers and trucks, you can select a weight carrying hitch, preferably a B&W hitch for their great quality, and you're set. However, the question is: which type?

There are mainly six types of hitches, so let's take them one at a time.

Receiver Hitches

A rear receiver hitch is the most common type of trailer hitch. In short, it's a square receiver tube that you can use to mount a variety of components and accessories.

Furthermore, you'll find that most heavy-duty trucks already have a preinstalled standard receiver hitch in the rear. It's that common.

In addition, receiver hitches are further broken down into five classes according to the maximum weight they can safely tow.

• Class I: Gross trailer weight of up to 2,000 lbs

• Class II: Gross trailer weight of up to 3,500 lbs

• Class III: Gross trailer weight from 3,500 lbs to 6,000 lbs

• Class IV: Gross trailer weight from 6,000 lbs to 10,000 lbs

• Class V: Gross trailer weight over 10,000 lbs

Of course, as the highest class of hitches, class V, are usually installed on heavy-duty commercial trucks. They're needed to tow heavy loads like large boats, full-sized campers, and even construction equipment.

Bumper-Mounted Hitch

It's exactly what it sounds like. This type of hitch is mounted to the bumper of your vehicle instead of the frame. It gives you a bit more leeway for adjustments.

Moreover, it provides more flexibility, so you can tow things of different shapes and sizes, like campers and boat trailers.

Yet, it's key to keep in mind that the bumper-mounted hitch can only tow or support as much weight as the bumper of your vehicle can.

Front-Mount Hitch

If you're looking for a hitch that won't bother your road vision, then a front-mount hitch is the one for you. Also, it provides a much easier lining up process for your rig.

That's doubly true if you're planning on towing a boat, and would like to get it in and out of the water without tearing your hair out.

Fifth Wheel Hitch

This type of hitch is perfect for heavy-duty towing, especially with pickup trucks.

With a load-carrying capacity of 15,000 to 30,000 pounds, it'll be installed inside the truck and the hitch will rest on the front of the rear axle. Therefore, it's a great choice for long-bed trucks.

In addition, please keep in mind that this type of hitch can only be used with pickup trucks.

Gooseneck Hitch

In case you're on the lookout for a hitch that would provide a smooth towing experience with a tighter turn radius, then a gooseneck hitch is a winner.

Yet, it's similar to a fifth wheel hitch in terms of only being mounted in the bed of a pickup truck.

The core difference between a fifth-wheel hitch and a gooseneck hitch is that the first uses a ball and coupler connection. On the other hand, a gooseneck hitch uses a kingpin connection.

Furthermore, a gooseneck hitch is great at towing bulky loads like large trailers, and flatbeds.

Pintle Hitch

Moving away from the common use of a ball mount, a Pintle hitch uses a hook (otherwise known as a Pintle), and a ring to attach the thing you want to tow with your towing vehicle.

A Pintle works by attaching the framing of the towing vehicle and the ring (or lunette) will be attached to the trailer.

This type of hitch is used for towing extremely heavy-loads, making them a perfect choice for large commercial trucks, dump trucks, and huge trailers.

Your Trailer Is Now Ready to Go

It might be a bit of a disorienting experience to figure out which type of truck hitch to use when there is a variety of truck hitches out on the market.

Yet, we hope that our breakdown of the different types, as well as their weight capacities, have simplified the search for you.

There is nothing quite like grabbing (well, towing) your trailer and going on an adventure.

If you're searching for more tips, we have many blogs in our travels section that will help you set everything up for your trip from your wardrobe to your hiking boots. Make sure to give it a look before you go.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

BENEFITS OF A MONTH LONG "BOOZE BREAK" FOR DRY JANUARY

If you’re thinking about taking a post summer break from booze -do it. You may get turned onto a whole new mindset about how you choose to consume alcohol. We connected with Rehab Expert, Carrie Carlton, Clinical Director (LCSW) of Beachway Therapy Center in Boynton Beach, Florida; who offered us numerous benefits of taking a “Booze Break.” Studies have shown that a month-long respite from alcohol can significantly benefit one’s mental and physical health. Here’s why... 

1. Do the math! Less booze means more cash.

According to Fortune magazine in 2018, thanks to the “craft cocktail trend” the overall price for alcoholic beverage and therefor the general cost of alcohol has increased. Let’s say you hit a happy hour twice weekly and bought a round of drinks for 3 people at $15-$20 each, with tip that could be between $80 and $100. More if you are in major metropolitan cities. Then multiply that by twice per week for weeks in a month and you’re saving close to $400 per month just on after work happy hours. Add more money saved if you’re also a weekend social drinker. Add way more money if you’re buying bottles in the VIP for hundreds of dollars.

“People are often amazed at how much free cash they have to put towards other things they want to do such as paying down debt, vacations, car repairs, gym memberships, upgrades to their homes, etc., explains Carrie Carlton of Beachway Therapy Center, one of the most comprehensive Rehab programs on the East Coast.

2. Wow! Your face looks great! What have you done?

While alcohol doesn’t directly cause acne it certainly messes with hormone levels and immune function which then lead to sallow skin, breakouts and puffy, flushed complexion. If you’re they type who can easily “Rose all day” and love mixed drinks featuring more sugar, syrups and other additives; you’ll quickly see a major change to the texture and tone to your skin. “It’s always great to snap selfies in the same room with the same light so you can really see the difference. Also pay attention to compliments. There will be a visible difference, encourages Carlton.”

3. Are you losing weight? YES!

A study in the journal of Obesity said that people who don’t drink eat less simply because alcohol heightens the senses. It makes the sauce and cheese on that pizza or those late-night bites all the more delicious. When you remove alcohol intake it diminishes your calorie intake. Think about 3 beers or glasses of wine at about 150 each. Those calories add up. “Your blood sugar and cholesterol levels start to really improve, and since alcohol dehydrates the body’s organs, taking a break from booze with help the body function better overall,” explains Carlton.

4. You’re more energetic, creative focused and are getting a lot more done.

One of the other benefits of opting to go booze-free for a month is that you’ll notice you’re not sluggish. You’re no longer fading in the afternoon or hitting the snooze 3 times in the morning. You are clear and focused on what you want to accomplish in the day and you have the ability to follow through with a better mood. You’ll be able to concentrate on tasks which also helps you stimulate the part of your brain where memory takes place. This keeps us sharp as we age.

5. More you time and new friends!

Often when we make a major change to our lives like choosing to lay off alcohol for a month our crew of cohorts changes. This frees up time for you to focus on you. Self care is important and often neglected when going out to socialize over drinks is the norm. When you’re no longer invited out to drink away the work day, you’re now free to get an after work fitness class in, take a workshop, listen to some audio books and check out a cool lecture. You start to realize there is plenty to do that doesn’t involve liquor and you start to meet new friends to do these things with.

“What’s interesting to note is that people who consider themselves “social drinkers” experience these improvements within a few days. People who struggle with alcoholism may actually cause more harm to themselves if they just decide to stop drinking cold turkey. Because there are many social drinkers teetering on the line of having a “drinking problem” given they tend to binge on the weekends with casual drinks with dinner mid-week; committing to going without alcohol may reveal there actually is a bigger issue going on. If someone can’t last a week without alcohol and feels nausea, gets terrible headaches, sweats, and are physically shaky and ill, consulting a doctor would be an important next step,” cautions Carrie Carlton.

6. What It Does For Your Liver

As much as people might want to believe that taking a vacation from drinking makes up for the excess, Carrie Carlton says it’s simply not true. Excessive boozing and “drying out” for a month won’t even out the score with your liver. A month-long hiatus won’t heal your liver — which processes the sugar in alcohol and can be damaged by excessive drinking. Are you really “healing your liver”? No, though you are taking a month off from causing it any more damage.

Check out the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

CAN HAVING SEX BOOST YOUR TESTOSTERONE LEVELS?

Testosterone. Every man needs it. Not every man has enough of it - especially after the age of 30.

It’s the primary male sex hormone responsible for several things, including:

·       Your ability to maintain an erection

·       Your sex drive

·       Your ability to grow and maintain muscle

·       Your energy levels

·       Your quality of sleep

Knowing this, you’ll understand why it’s important for a man to keep his T-levels high even past his 30’s if he wants to maintain good health as he ages. But how can he do it?

One rumor which frequently gets passed around is that the very act of having sex boosts your Testosterone levels. But is it really true?

Is sex a good way to increase your Testosterone levels?

In theory, the notion that having sex boosts your T-levels seems to make sense. After all, the more you have sex, the more sex you want, right? Well, that’s true, but it’s not necessarily down to a sudden flush of Testosterone caused by the act itself.

The fact is, when we have lots of sex, we have sex on our brains more. It’s as simple as that. Like any fun activity, the more we do it, the more we think about it, and the more we want to do it.

So, does having sex actually cause our T-Levels to rise? Unfortunately, not really. While having sex does very slightly increase your Testosterone levels, the amount is so minimal, it’s barely able to be measured. In fact, although it may not be what you want to hear, one study actually found that abstinence had much more of a positive effect on T-levels.

If you’re in a relationship and enjoy a lot of sex, this probably isn’t the news you want to hear - but if you just so happen to be single right now, you can take comfort from the fact that your sexless existence is not hampering your chances of boosting your Testosterone levels.

Bad news for sex lovers?

Does this mean that if we are in a relationship, we should all stop having sex if we want high Testosterone levels? No. That would be a very dull life indeed, wouldn’t it? Besides, sex has lots of other health benefits which can directly affect our Testosterone levels.

As a great form of cardio (and sometimes strength training too), sex is benefitting your Testosterone levels in the long term through this one benefit alone. Not only that, you’ll sleep better after sex - another vital component to increasing your sex drive.

So while your T-levels may not shoot through the roof during the act of sex itself, they will increase afterward due to the other health benefits you get from having an active sex life. In short, keep having lots of sex! It’s good for you, and good for T-levels.

And what of those who don’t have a partner to have sex with several times a week? Don’t worry, you can replicate the effects of the extra exercise with a light jog, or a quick gym session. Perhaps it’s not quite as much fun, but it could certainly be a good way to meet new people - and who knows, perhaps even a new partner?

How does Testosterone affect sex drive?

You may think this is all well and good, but I don’t really fancy having much sex anymore. Well, that’s exactly why you need to fix your T-levels - and even more reason to give sex a chance!

Low Testosterone levels play a key role in a flagging libido. In fact, having less interest in sex could be one of the first low T-level warning signs you notice. The good news is, the more you have, the more you want, so make time for sex. You may just find you enjoy it more than you expected once you get into the swing of things, and you’ll be improving your health (and your long-term ability to maintain high Testosterone levels) at the same time.

What causes low Testosterone levels?

There are various reasons your Testosterone levels may begin to dwindle. One of the main issues is age. Men past the age of 30 tend to suffer from a 1% drop in Testosterone levels each year.

In addition to this, alcohol has a devastating effect on your T-levels - and if you want them to stay high, you need to stay off the sauce as much as humanly possible.

High levels of body fat are another reason so many men struggle to maintain high Testosterone levels. And those man boobs? They simply wouldn’t be there if your body fat was normal and your hormones well balanced. When you lose Testosterone, you tend to increase your Estrogen levels (the female sex hormone), which is why you grow breast tissue.

As you can see, lowering body fat levels and keeping alcohol out of your system are both great ways to begin when fighting your war against low T-levels.

Symptoms of low Testosterone

How low is your testosterone? The truth is, without a blood test, you can never be sure. But you can look out for the early warning signs that your T-levels aren't all they once were.

Ask yourself, have you noticed any of the following recently?

·       Your libido is slowing down

·       You have less energy

·       You struggle to gain muscle

·       You’ve developed ‘middle age spread’

·       You sometimes have trouble maintaining an erection

If so, you may want to consider booking an appointment to get those T-levels checked out.

The good news is the best treatment is completely natural, and mostly involves lifestyle changes. Weight training, cutting out alcohol, getting enough sleep and swapping carbs for veg are just some of the simple changes which can make all the difference very quickly.

Read the latest Athleisure Mag issue.