What do I need to install a trailer on my car?

The trailer is one of the most useful accessories to add to a car, as it provides an effective solution for a wide range of opportunities and additional functions for any vehicle. Some of the most notable include the ease of transporting motorcycles on a trip or in certain situations where one wishes to practice with racing or cross motorcycles.

When installing a trailer on a car, several considerations must be taken into account, which many people are unaware of regarding both the choice of components and the procedures required to drive with these transport systems.

What Kind of Hitch Does Your Car Need for a Trailer

Before beginning the procedures, make sure to choose a motorcycle trailer suitable for the car it will be attached to. Additionally, a valid hitch ball must be selected for the specific vehicle model.

During the installation of the trailer hitch, the first thing to check is that not all hitch balls are suitable for all vehicles. Each make or model has specific hitches that can be used. At the workshop where the installation is done, they can advise you on the most appropriate models for your vehicle.

How to Choose the Hitch for Trailer Installation

After reviewing the different options available, choose the hitch ball that best suits your needs.

If you plan to use the trailer frequently, a fixed hitch ball is the perfect choice. If aesthetics are a major concern, there are detachable trailer balls, both vertical and horizontal. For transporting very heavy loads, the most suitable are the pin-type hitch balls, which support loads up to 3500 kilograms.

Validating the Trailer Installation on the Car

Once the trailer installation is complete, it must be validated at the ITV (vehicle inspection) before you can start driving with it. If it is a light trailer type 01 (with a maximum mass below 750kg), technical inspection will not be necessary in Spain. However, this may vary in different European countries, as each has its own regulations. A heavy trailer must always undergo a technical inspection.

The workshop where the installation is done usually informs you of all necessary paperwork. The trailer installation must be validated to ensure there are no issues.

As with any modification made to a car, the vehicle owner has fifteen days to present it for technical inspection and validate the installation that has been completed.

Regulations for Driving with a Trailer

During the inspection process, documentation must be submitted to ensure everything was done correctly. As in all ITV inspections, you must provide the vehicle's technical sheet and registration, along with an ID. If the driver is not the car owner, the ID must be accompanied by an authorization from the owner.

For specific situations like this inspection of the trailer installation, a certificate from the workshop and the conformity report (usually provided by the workshop upon completion of installation) must be included. Finally, the hitch assembly diagram provided by the manufacturer must be submitted.

The trailer installation on the car must always be indicated on the vehicle’s technical sheet, whether it was factory-included or added later.