Hitch Cover Buying Guide: Fit, Security and Style
By 3 Boyz Printz · October 4, 2026
If your truck or SUV has a trailer hitch, there's an open square tube on the back of it most of the time: the receiver. A hitch cover (sometimes called a hitch plug) fills that opening. It's one of the easiest and most affordable ways to protect your hitch and personalize your vehicle. Here's what to look for when choosing one.
Why use a hitch cover?
- Keeps the receiver clean. An open receiver collects dirt, road salt, leaves and water, and sometimes even wasp nests. That gunk can make it harder to slide in a hitch mount when you need to tow.
- Finishes the look. An empty receiver tube looks unfinished. A cover gives the back of your vehicle a clean, custom look.
- Shows some personality. Hitch covers are a fun way to show off your truck's trim, a favorite design, or a seasonal theme.
Step 1: Check your receiver size
Hitch receivers come in a few standard sizes, measured across the inside of the square opening:
| Receiver opening | Typically found on |
|---|---|
| 1-1/4 inch | Smaller cars, crossovers and light-duty hitches (Class I and II) |
| 2 inch | Most pickup trucks and SUVs (Class III and IV) |
| 2-1/2 inch | Heavy-duty trucks (Class V) |
The 2-inch receiver is by far the most common on trucks and SUVs, and it's the size all of our hitch covers are made for. Not sure what you have? Measure the inside of the opening with a tape measure, or check your hitch's label or your vehicle's manual.
Step 2: Decide how you want it secured
A hitch cover needs to stay put over bumps and potholes. There are two common ways to lock it in:
- Snap-in clip: quick to install and remove with no tools. Great if you swap your cover out often.
- Hitch pin: a pin slides through the hitch's pin hole and through the cover, the same way a hitch mount is held in. A locking hitch pin adds theft protection.
Our hitch covers support both: use our snap-in clip, or run your own hitch pin through the built-in pin hole (hitch pin not included). You choose what works best for you. See How to Install Your Hitch Cover for step-by-step instructions and a video.
Step 3: Pick a design that fits your ride
This is the fun part. Because we design and 3D print every cover ourselves, we can offer designs made for specific trims and owner communities, plus fun designs for everyone else. Most come with a textured black face and your choice of accent color, so you can match or contrast your paint.
- TRX Hitch Cover: dinosaur head above the TRX lettering
- RHO Hitch Cover: rhino head above the RHO lettering
- AT4 Hitch Cover, RST Hitch Cover and TrailBoss Hitch Cover
- ST Hitch Cover for Explorer ST and Edge ST owners
- Taco Hitch Cover and YOTA Hitch Cover
- Just for fun: the Rubber Duck Hitch Cover and seasonal Pumpkin Hitch Cover
Care and use tips
- Pull it before you tow. The cover comes out in seconds, and slides back in once your hitch mount is removed.
- Rinse it off now and then when you wash your vehicle, especially after winter road salt.
- Check the fit occasionally. Make sure the clip or pin is still secure, especially after off-road trips.
- Expect a handmade look. Our covers are 3D printed, so colors can vary slightly from photos and small layer lines are normal. That's part of the custom character.
Quick answers
Will a hitch cover fit any vehicle? It fits any vehicle with a matching receiver size. Our covers are made for standard 2-inch receivers.
Do I need tools? No. Our snap-in clip installs by hand. If you prefer a hitch pin, you just slide it in like normal.
Is a hitch pin included? No, our covers include the snap-in clip. Use your own pin if you'd like extra security.