do I have the dreaded weak GM OEM hitch?

I've been the "keep an eye on it" guy. No rust, no cracks or sag. However, our new camper is likely pushing a 1200lb tongue weight. This thread has renewed my interest in replacing it now.

2500HDee wrote:
I actually just did this swap for peace of mind. It took about a half hour start to finish and I also mounted a new combination 7 blade / 4-pin connector that plugged right in to the factory wiring.



Based on the wear on top of the plate you can actually see that the hitch was moving around and rubbed the metal shiny.

Is your hitch height higher now than with the factory hitch?

I actually just did this swap for peace of mind. It took about a half hour start to finish and I also mounted a new combination 7 blade / 4-pin connector that plugged right in to the factory wiring.



Based on the wear on top of the plate you can actually see that the hitch was moving around and rubbed the metal shiny.

I don't think price should be one's main concern, considering the TT is $20+K or more, the safety of your family and the innocent motorist that are sharing the road with you.

I bought a Curt 15321 from HitchAnything. Price is a little higher than when I bought mine but still under $200 and free shipping. Had mine within a few days of placing order and it bolted right up.

Don, thanks for the link

Just remember that all things engineered/designed is NOT for the good days out
there when a riding lawn mower 'can' do it...

It is for the worst day out there when Mr Murphy crosses your path...

This thread is where I met Don (Burbman) and initially though isolated untile
noodled it some more. Am a designer in my first career so of great interest

The more I noodled it, the more upset at the designers at GM...to then realize
that their management dictated the 'hidden' receiver requirement married with
junior or designers who did NOT tow. So none of them understood towing heavy...

This is my first analysis and in reviewing it just now...stick by it. It is correct




For those who don't believe, or will 'watch it'...this is one fellow member
who lost his trailer due to a failed OEM receiver of this kind... He is the
'other guy' that so many folks think won't happen to themselves...

He sent the receiver box & 'U' section to me and I took hundreds of
high res pics. Forensically found that there was no missing parts/section
Just bent as the pict shows. That was then sent to NHTSA for their
inspection, which am assuming not enough reports....so they dropped it
as an isolated incident.

No one was injured badly in this where his Sub and trailer crossed
several interstate lanes...all the while rolling several times. Another
former member lost his 10 year old to a failed GMT800 receiver. Both
no longer post here

Moderator edit to re-size pictures to forum limit of 640px maximum width.

I replaced mine with a Class V Curt in 20min for peace of mind.
I think it was about $230 with free shipping. I also installed a new trailer connector socket into the Burb's bumper. That took a little longer.

I would be inclined to change it too....

800+ lbs?! I would definitely change the receiver out.

Doesn't look like one to me.. I had one fail too it was a OBS 2007 2500 - the diameter of the round tube was smaller than what is pictured..

my 2008 NBS has the pictured larger tube and its rock solid.