How to Select a Trailer Hitch
Class and receiver size so you buy a five eighths pin for a two inch tube, not a one half inch pin for the wrong opening.
Watch on YouTube →Hitch Lock vs Hitch Pin: When Each Makes Sense (Canada)
A hitch pin and clip holds the ball mount or accessory in the receiver so it cannot walk out on the road. A hitch lock does the same job with a keyed cylinder so a thief cannot pull the mount as easily when the truck sits at a trailhead or overnight lot. This Canada parts-counter walk covers when a plain pin is enough, when a lock earns its keep for theft deterrence, how receiver size picks the pin diameter, and where covers fit beside locks. It is practical yard advice, not a guarantee against theft.
Built for Canadian shoppers choosing pins and locks. Free shipping on CURT towing gear from Lots of Parts when the SKU is live on this store.
Related reading:
hitch cover versus hitch lock,
pin, clip, and safety chains, and
trailer hitch lock safety guide.
Prefer the full index?
Open the towing guides hub.
Watch these CURT videos first
All four videos are from the official CURT YouTube channel (@curtmfg). Use them for hitch class basics, install habits, wiring, and ball-mount height so the pin or lock you pick matches the receiver you actually bought.
If an embed does not load, use the YouTube link under the card.
Trailer Hitch Installation Techniques
Hardware habits that keep the pin or lock seated before the first highway kilometres.
Watch on YouTube →How to Connect a Trailer Wiring Harness
Lights and harness basics so you are not chasing a dark turn signal while the mount rattles loose.
Watch on YouTube →How to Choose a Ball Mount and Trailer Ball
Ball-mount height once the pin or lock is holding the shank where it belongs.
Watch on YouTube →What a plain pin and clip actually does
A hitch pin slides through the receiver and the shank hole. The clip keeps the pin from walking out. That is a retention job, not a theft job. On a quiet driveway with a cheap ball mount you are willing to replace, a plain pin is often enough. On the road it still matters. A missing clip is how mounts end up on the shoulder.
For the yard walk that pairs pins with safety chains and coupler habits, open hitch pin, clip, and safety chains. That page is the retention and chain story. This page is the pin versus lock decision.
When a hitch lock makes sense
Reach for a hitch lock when the ball mount, bike rack, or cargo carrier stays on the vehicle in public parking, trailheads, hotels, or job sites. The lock replaces the plain pin with a keyed cylinder so a casual thief needs more than a pocket clip pull. It deters grab-and-go theft. It does not stop a determined thief with time and tools, and it does not replace common sense about what you leave parked overnight.
If you only tow from home to a private cottage and pull the mount every time you park in town, a plain pin may be all you need. If the rack stays on through grocery runs and weekend lots, the lock usually earns its keep. For deeper lock habits and coupler locks, open trailer hitch lock safety guide.
Pin diameter must match the receiver
Class 1 and Class 2 receivers with a one and one quarter inch tube usually use a one half inch pin. Class 3 and Class 4 receivers with a two inch tube usually use a five eighths inch pin. Bigger Class 5 style tubes can still use a five eighths pin on some cards, so read the live product description instead of guessing from a neighbour’s truck. A lock has to match the same hole diameter and usable pin length.
For tube size basics before you shop pins, open the receiver size guide. For how covers and locks share the same opening, open hitch cover versus hitch lock.
Live CURT pins and locks we keep on this shelf
These are live CURT pins and locks on this shelf for the sizes shoppers ask about most. Confirm pin diameter, usable length, and receiver size on each product card before you order.
Plain pin · two inch Class 3 and Class 4
CURT 21500
Five eighths hitch pin with clip for two inch receivers. Deepest plain Class 3 style pin qty on this shelf.
Plain pin · rubber grip
CURT 21510
Five eighths hitch pin with clip and rubber grip for two inch receivers when you want an easier handle.
Plain pin · one and one quarter inch
CURT 21400
One half inch hitch pin with clip for Class 1 and Class 2 one and one quarter inch receivers.
Hitch lock · two inch black
CURT 23518
Black Class 3 and Class 4 hitch lock with a five eighths pin for two inch receivers. Confirm usable length on the live card.
Hitch lock · two inch chrome
CURT 23515
Chrome Class 3 and Class 4 hitch lock with a five eighths pin for two inch receivers.
Hitch lock · two inch and two and one half inch
CURT 23519
Stainless Class 3, Class 4, and Class 5 style hitch lock for two inch and two and one half inch receivers.
Hitch lock · right-angle head
CURT 23504
Right-angle five eighths hitch lock for two inch and two and one half inch receivers when straight access is tight.
Hitch lock · one and one quarter inch
CURT 23501
Chrome Class 1 and Class 2 hitch lock with a one half inch pin for one and one quarter inch receivers.
Parts-counter notes before you leave the yard
| Topic | What we tell shoppers |
|---|---|
| Plain pin job | Retention on the road. Clip must be fully seated. See pin, clip, and safety chains. |
| Lock job | Same retention plus theft deterrence when the mount stays on in public. Not a guarantee. |
| When pin is enough | Private driveway towing, mount removed in town, or a mount you are willing to replace. |
| When lock earns it | Trailheads, hotels, job sites, bike racks left on through errands. |
| Size match | One half inch for many one and one quarter inch tubes. Five eighths for many two inch tubes. Read the live card. |
| Cover versus lock | A cover keeps the empty tube clean. A lock holds a shank. Different jobs. See cover versus lock. |
| Deeper lock walk | Coupler locks and more theft habits: hitch lock safety guide. |
| Usable length | Some locks call out usable pin length and double-wall exclusions. Confirm on the product card. |
Step 1Know the tube
One and one quarter inch or two inch. That picks pin diameter before brand talk.
Step 2Decide the risk
Private driveway pin, or public parking lock, based on where the mount stays.
Step 3Seat and key
Clip fully on a pin, or keys tagged for a lock. Recheck after the first trips.
Step 4Empty tube cover
When the shank is off, a cover keeps weather and debris out of the receiver.
Pin
Holds the shank
Retention for towing. Clip must stay on.
Lock
Keyed deterrence
Same hole, harder grab-and-go theft in public lots.
Cover
Empty tube
Weather and debris when nothing is inserted.
Honest limit
Not a vault
Locks deter. They do not stop every thief with time.
Cover versus lockEmpty tube cover versus keyed shank lock
Pin, clip, and chainsRetention habits beside safety chains
Hitch lock safety guideDeeper lock and coupler lock walk
Receiver size guideOne and one quarter inch versus two inch tubes
Shop CURT 21500
Five eighths plain hitch pin with clip for two inch receivers when a lock is more than you need.
Open product →Shop CURT 23518 for a black two inch hitch lock.
Shop CURT 23501 for a one and one quarter inch hitch lock.
Cover versus lock when the tube is empty.
Hitch lock safety guide for deeper theft deterrence habits.
This hitch lock versus hitch pin guide is practical Canada advice for shoppers and shops. It is not legal advice and not a theft guarantee. Confirm pin diameter, usable length, and receiver size on each live product card, and confirm vehicle ratings on the door sticker and owner manual before you tow.
