Gear Your Mitsubishi Up to Tow with These Top Trailering Accessories
First time trailering in your Mitsubishi? Maybe you're a little more well-traveled when it comes to hauling. Either way, whether you're taking a couple dirt bikes or jet skis out for the weekend, a powerboat off on a fishing trip, or another vehicle on the big move to a new home, you'll want to tow safely.
That means hitching up the right way, following the rules of the road, and most importantly, equipping properly, with OEM towing parts and accessories. The genuine Mitsubishi kind -- those that won't sacrifice quality, and that are guaranteed to fit and work right the first time.
If you're wondering what all that means, you've come to the right place to learn all there is to know. Here are our top five must-haves for towing practically anything.
1. Hitch Receiver, Ball Mount, and Trailer Ball
A hitch receiver is perhaps what you want to start with. It's a metal tube that mounts to the frame of your vehicle -- one used to attach hitch-mounted accessories, ball mount and balls among them. (Others include things like winch mounts, steps and step pads, and license plate holders.)
There's a difference between a "hitch proper" and going ball mount-only, though; hitches are best for towing heavy loads -- say, using that Mitsubishi Mighty Max you love to lug things like a small camper or a car -- while ball mounts are better when it comes to towing lighter trailers (hauling things like bikes or kayaks with, say, your Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, when your roof rack is full otherwise).
There are five weight classes to consider here, with capacities ranging from 2,000 pounds to 20,000. It's important to note that a trailer ball's weight rating has to match or exceed the trailers gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). If it doesn't -- if the ball can't support the weight you put on it, or your vehicle's GVWR is lower than the weight of your load -- it can make the trailer unsteady or even disconnect, causing a catastrophic accident.
2. Security Accessories
These are things like hitch locks, hitch pins, safety pins, safety chains, and anti-rattle kits. A lock or a pin, you stick in the ball to keep the hitch and receiver together better; an anti-rattle kit better secures a ball mount shank. And of course, a safety chain is there to help prevent the trailer separating.
3. Sway Control Unit
Imagine: you're behind the wheel of your Mitsubishi Outlander -- say, a 2024 model -- taking advantage of all 2,000 pounds of its tow capacity, lugging a motorcycle or snowmobile with you on vacation. The weather's bad; the road's bumpier than usual; traffic's stop-and-go; and you're surrounded by semitrucks making some serious crosswinds. Because of all that, your trailer's swaying unnervingly.
Avoid worrying about load safety by gearing up right the first time: install a trailer sway control unit to cut down on that side-to-side movement. What one does is basically add stability when towing heavier stuff at higher speeds, by automatically detecting when you need to put the brakes on and ease down on engine power. The result: a little more peace of mind on the way.
4. Trailer Lighting
All trailers need to be visible on the road in order to haul safely. That's where trailer lights come in; they integrate with your taillights to indicate load position.
Usually, tail lights, turn signal lights, brake lights, a license plate light, and some sort of reflectors are required by law. Ditto for side marker and clearance lights, which show trailer length, width, and height respectively. In fact, trailers of certain sizes, and those with GVWRs more than 10,000 pounds, may have legal requirements they have to meet before being able to haul anything, and the kinds of lights required can even change a bit depending on the type and size of trailer you're towing. Be sure to check local and state regulations to see that you're equipped above-board.
5. Trailer Brakes
A trailer brake integrates with your vehicle's brakes; its job's to add the stopping power necessary for heavier trailers (think as much as 3,500 pounds of the big stuff, behind your Mitsubishi Endeavor) while relieving strain on your wheels and tires. An electric brake is the commonest kind, but if you're dragging a boat trailer, it might have surge brakes.
If you're using electric, it'll need a seven-pin plug to be able to get the power it needs, not to mention to be able to hook up the necessary electronics. It'll also need a brake controller, as many states require one for loads weighing 3,000 pounds or more.
There are two kinds of brake controllers. The time-delayed kind are for lighter tows, and they're less expensive. The proportional kind are safer and easier on your vehicle's brakes.
Other Trailer Parts to Consider
These aren't all you'll need, either; what you do, depends on what the haul calls for.
If your hitch receiver tube needs protection, for instance, consider adding a cover. If you have to install carriage bolts -- say, if you need to fasten wood to metal, or you'll be driving through an unforgiving climate or harsh weather -- and the mounting points are tough to reach, you'll need fish wires. If you want to be prepared for pulling a buddy (or even yourself) out of a tough situation, consider installing recovery equipment such as a tow hook and/or tow straps.
The list goes on; there are accessories for fifth-wheel (i.e., RV), gooseneck (i.e., livestock and agricultural), and ATV towing, for example. Plus, since you'll be adding trailer lights and a trailer brake system and needing to connect an auxiliary power source, you'll need the right wiring harness.
Not sure exactly what you need, let alone how to install it? No worries: a Mitsubishi service center can help.
Shop OEM Towing Parts and Accessories Online at Mitsubishi Motors North America
Once properly set up, you'll be ready to hit the road with a getaway's worth of a haul in tow. We stock a huge selection of what you'll need, and we ship fast, all over the US. Have any questions? Feel free to get in touch.