Do I need a new trailer hitch?

My wife thought I was "crazy" when I told her I wanted a new hitch, then she watched the bumper twist a little when I latched the bars up! So I just recently replaced my factory GM round tube hitch ('10 Silverado 1500) with a Curt #15322 square tube rated for way more than I need! I figured for a little more than the class 4, why wouldn't I get the stronger hitch!!!

Here are a couple crummy comparison pics! Sorry not better. We were in the middle of a deck remodel as well as hitch replacement! Lol





The Curt is listed as weighing almost 70lbs where the factory, I forget at the moment, wasn't even half that!!!! And when you set the factory hitch down on the concrete, it sounded like a tin can!!!!!

Chris

mkirsch...my apologies...Barney is right... :S

BarneyS wrote:

BenK wrote:
Snip...
leaves me speechless on how2 to respond...as wouldn't that same
assumption also apply to the receiver...to negate the 'err on the
side of "too much" ?

Ben,
I think you both are saying the same thing. Perhaps you misread his post?
Barney

Jeff ditto on Barney's comments. I would replace that GM OEM receiver if you can swing it, or since we are close to the end of the season, plan on replacing it in the spring before you start camping next year.

I went with an HD receiver on the Suburban similar to the Draw-Tire Ultra Frame that Barney posted a link to. Very sturdy, and you will notice additional stiffness in the connection to the TT with less porpoising and better WD. many have reported that the GM hitch actually "winds up", absorbing the stress of the WD instead of staying stiff with the frame and transferring weight foward.

The hitch is fine for pulling smaller trailers but HD WD systems for TTs with 1000+ lb tongue weights that we pull beat this thing to death. Can't believe GM even put this on a truck with a 12000 lb tow rating...

BenK wrote:
Snip...
leaves me speechless on how2 to respond...as wouldn't that same
assumption also apply to the receiver...to negate the 'err on the
side of "too much" ?

Ben,
I think you both are saying the same thing. Perhaps you misread his post?
Barney

mkirsch wrote:
Theoretically, "just enough" is fine because the designers MUST build in some safety margin in order to limit liability.

The shortcomings of "just enough" will be noticed as a driver comfort issues long before any true safety problems arise. You just won't like the way it feels.

Vs your other comment:

mkirsch wrote:

IMHO, err on the side of "too much" receiver than "just enough."

leaves me speechless on how2 to respond...as wouldn't that same
assumption also apply to the receiver...to negate the 'err on the
side of "too much" ?

Theoretically, "just enough" is fine because the designers MUST build in some safety margin in order to limit liability.

The shortcomings of "just enough" will be noticed as a driver comfort issues long before any true safety problems arise. You just won't like the way it feels.

mkirsch wrote:

jefffoxsr wrote:
Thanks. Should I get a class 3 or a class 5? Does it matter? Why?

Don't worry about "Class" so much as the actual capacities of the receiver. You need one with the enough capacity to tow the size trailer you want to get.

IMHO, err on the side of "too much" receiver than "just enough."

This also applies to choosing the size of a TV...but...so many only
want 'just enough' or less

Hope the OP understands that way of thinking or philosophy of safety margin...

jefffoxsr wrote:
Thanks. Should I get a class 3 or a class 5? Does it matter? Why?

Don't worry about "Class" so much as the actual capacities of the receiver. You need one with the enough capacity to tow the size trailer you want to get.

IMHO, err on the side of "too much" receiver than "just enough."

jefffoxsr wrote:
Thanks. Should I get a class 3 or a class 5? Does it matter? Why?

I would get a 2" class V receiver.
Another one.
Doing that will insure that you have enough hitch for just about any trailer that you want to purchase and no need for a "reducer" to fit your existing hitch shank.
I have one on my truck and am very happy I made the change.
Barney

Thanks. Should I get a class 3 or a class 5? Does it matter? Why?