Abstract: In order to improve a trailer coupling for motor vehicles comprising a towing element for the attachment of a vehicle trailer or mounting of a rear load carrier, a cross member, with which a holding unit bearing the towing element is connected, and side members connecting the cross member to a vehicle body at its end areas, in such a manner that it can be produced as simply as possible and so as to save on material as far as possible it is suggested that the cross member comprise a cross member pipe, that the holding unit be held releasably on the cross member, that the holding unit be designed to engage around the cross member in circumferential direction and have at least two holding elements which abut with supporting surfaces on casing surface areas of the cross member pipe and that the holding unit be adapted to be fixed to the cross member by way of a force locking clamping.