Hitch Upgrade - Should I?

valhalla360 wrote:

Did you check the payload to make sure you aren't overloading the truck? Could they have put the lower class hitch on because that would handle anything the truck is rated for?

Maybe you could check if you're curious.
I'll leave this here...

"May 2002. The 1500HD is 8600 GVWR, just like the 2500 and shares part of the frame. The 2500HD is 9200 GVWR,"

And if I recall correctly, they got the 9.5" 14 bolt semi floater rear axle. Not the biggest tool in the shed, but enough that it ran well under all the 3/4 ton GMs for about 2 decades. Heck my '86 K20 "camper special" 8600 gvw has a 14 bolt s f axle. From how I bought it, it looks like it carried a TC for a while as well. And not a little one. Little one wouldn't have dented the bed floor, like our Arctic Fox did. With a 4" lift on it.
Original axle, doesn't appear to ever have been rebuilt, changed the fluid, it looked great.

"What are you towing that weighs 8000# but only has a tongue weight of 900#?"

10% is a good pin weight % for a tow behind.

wjsweet wrote:
Totally agree Grit dog. I came to same conclusion why would it have a class 3 factory. I know the 1500hd is a weird truck, but...

That’s why I came here to ask!

Did you check the payload to make sure you aren't overloading the truck? Could they have put the lower class hitch on because that would handle anything the truck is rated for?

Looks similar. Not the same tabs above the receiver but it is bolted to bumper sub I assume for torque force support.

I’ll find some options and share back here. Thanks again!!

That was a transition year for the receiver on 1500HD's

If yours looks like this, change it a more traditional torque tube receiver that does NOT depend on the bumper as part of the force vector system. Any of the Class V with traditional torque tube to gusset side plates would be better

Hitches are cheap and many are no drill installations. Good move and easy cheap insurance.
1500HD's are good rigs for multipurpose use.

Awesome. Thanks for the help all!

wjsweet wrote:
Thanks MFL.

Hi ktosv. We've borrowed campers and looking at some larger options on outdoorsy. 30 footers. Tongue weights between 700-900. My figure above was just a ~11% tongue weight estimate.

Agree should just go to V if having the work done. Also didn't care to use the WD hitch if I didn't need to.

A good class 4 should be sufficient, or 5 if you wish. In any case a WDH is going to make towing a trailer that size a more comfortable choice. Also a class IV hitch like mine is meant for only half the load without weight distribution. Example 600 lbs without 1,200 lbs with WDH.

APT is a knowledgeable source, if you read his post!

Jerry

The receiver design (round/tube) was a weak design and many have failed under the ratings at less than 5yrs old. I recommend replacing with Curt XD anyway.

Totally agree Grit dog. I came to same conclusion why would it have a class 3 factory. I know the 1500hd is a weird truck, but...

That’s why I came here to ask!