A trailer hitch uses a draw bar to interconnect tractor and trailer vehicles. The draw bar includes an elongated shank with a transverse throughway. A resilient cushion is disposed in the throughway. A passageway is associated with the throughway to receive a hitch pin such that longitudinal motion of the shank is resiliently resisted by the cushion. The cushion may be disposed in a rigid casing to form a cartridge that inserts into the throughway, and the passageway may be provided by a reciprocating slide member in the casing. Cushions may be employed in the casing to resist motion during both braking and acceleration. Cartridges having differing performance may be interchanged in the system. A method employing such structures is described.