Edward

Quick story: my local trailer hitch shop, a big outfit and does lots of heavy commercial work on top of simple consumer stuff, says 2000-06 GM Factory Hitches crack where the receiver mounts to the hitch frame ...bad welds, he says, and is common! He then shows me FOUR failed hitches he has in the shop, and that he has seen over two dozen in the past several years! One that I saw came from from a 2500 model, but he said no difference in truck model as all the hitches that came loaded stock on GMs between 2000-06 are same, and thus can fail.

He looks at mine and says so far so good, then tells me to make sure I stay under 5000lbs and keep a watch over it. Why'd he say that when 5000lbs is the upper of Class III?

Alright ...anyone ever hear of such a thing?? I have towed my light rig (trailex + SC =3400 total) with my Volvo XC90 for years w/o problem, and now that I have an 04 Burb, I am supposed to be relieved, not worried! How long have you guys with 2000-06 GMs been towing (on your stock hitches)?
Thanks!

Edward

machina

If you are worried find out where they start to crack and weld some 1/4" plate in.

I have had my Yukon XL since 2001 and never had a problem but my racecar and trailer only weighed 2700lb.

smlporsche

It seems some have had some problems with them...

Happy reading.

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/inde...pic=66082&st=0

mdrums

I know a lot of guys that trailer there race boats with these trucks. check out offshoreonly and seriousoffshore.com. There are a lot of serious trailer guys there.

Veloce Raptor

I suspect this is 1/2 tons only, if it is in fact a real issue.

Never heard of an issue with 3/4 ton trucks or Suburbans.





Professional Racing and Driving Coach

Benton

I've heard of it as well on www.dieselplace.com, like you said with the 2500's.

Crazy Canuck

We had to replace the hitch on our 2002 GMC 2500HD Duramax. We just figured we broke it since all the truck does is tow and snow plow.

Greg Smith

This happened to my brothers 2006 2500, it was overloaded though.

Edward

Thanks all, especially for that link, Eddie ...good reading there.

Strangely enough, reading all that put me a bit at ease. There seems to be a greater number of 2500 (or heavier) users that are affected. This leads me to believe (or at least guess) that they are thinking of the max load of their trucks, and forgetting that their OE Class-III hitch is rated only to 5K lbs. and 600lbs tongue wt. This can affect 1500 users, too, is the max is what, about 7500lbs ...there's a considerable wight disparity betwn the hitch and truck right there. Now I understand why my hitch guy said "stay under the limit and keep an eye on it." Dopey me, I thought everyone stayed under the load limit ...of their hitches
...sorry Greg, I don't mean to be picking on those guys. Hope he fared ok.

I haven't loaded my Burb (standard 1500) up with the trailer/car just yet. But I figure with only 3500 lbs total and a 300lb tongue weight, (not to mention I don't dare tow faster tha 65mph or so as it plays mind games with me ) I am well within the limits of safety. At least I hope so! Thanks for all the responses, all!!


...BTW, how common is it for folks who tow (campers, boats, or whatever) to overload their rigs ? This seems like russion roulette to me, or am a just a nervous nellie?

Edward

M758

My 2500 dodge came from the factory with class IV hitch not class III.

Edward

That certainly makes better sense to me than GM loading their trucks and burbs with class-IIIs. I bought my Burb used, but I certainly hope when they sold these new there were huge disclaimers alerting the owner of this disparity (and in my mind shortcoming!!). I wonder what the new 1500/2500 come stock with?

Edward

PorscheDoc

my 2500HD came with a class IV hitch (7,500/12,000)