How Do I Know if My GM Hitch was recalled?

Several people were willing to answer his question, and did. Francesca even posted a website for the OP. Maybe some of us don't read anything before spouting off?

Wow! Guess I have learned something. I have an 05 1500 HD, 4x2. They were hard to find. If it isnt raining this weekend I will be under the truck looking at the receiver. I think that is the power of this forum; when we keep things positive and helpful we all learn.

Just checked my hitch on my '08 Silverado HD. Looks good and I tow both "heavy" and "far." I'm also glad that my dual or "previous" profession in my youth was a professionally trained weldor and metal fabricator for a government vendor. I've made numerous trailers and custom hitch receivers in my younger days. I maintain my skills with my own metal shop here at the house, as metal work is no longer a "job" for me, but a serious hobby.

I've seen countless upon countless and absolutely HORRIBLE hitch and hitch receiver "welds" (if you can even call them "welds.") Another problem I've seen is the actual safety chain connection to the trailer tongue itself! My own trailer had the weakest looking weld bead connection that would have absolutely failed in the event the hitch ball failed. Thankfully, I customized the safety chain anchor point and welded a serious upgrade to my trailer.

Check your weld joints on those hitch receivers people. Any signs of cracks along the weld joint and your hitch is a goner.

I don`t believe they were recalled! however they are known to be of questionable design/and engineering(welding). I would just pay the $150-$200 for a good Reese calss 4 hitch.

Now they should be recalled......along with the brake line failures that abound on those trucks!

I can't find anything about a recall but I did find that there was a class action suit started in 2007 but no other info..

HITCH CLASS ACTION

There also was a post on RV.net by member "burbman" who posted pictures of what happened to his GM hitch while towing..

There is also a post back in 2006 on RV.net in an attempt to get a recall done.. I didn't read it all since there is 18 pages of posts there..

HELP GET RECALL ON GM HITCHES

Although there have lots of complaints regarding the round OEM hitch from my searches there has not been any recall. I do inspect my hitch regularly and it does show any signs of failure. It has been suggested that some of the failures were related to rust possibly from salt on roads. That may be why I have not had an issue. All of that being said I have noticed that the hitch does have more flex than what I would like. That being the case I have been uncomfortable using it. My solution was to order a Curt replacement. I settled on model 15321 and purchased it from HitchAnything.com. Was 189.00 with free shipping. Arrived within a week and is currently sitting in my garage waiting for me to recover from recent surgery to install it. I have inspected it and it is much beefier than OEM.

nomad297 wrote:
I have a 2004 ,Chevrolet 2500HD. With the other thread regarding a previous recall of some hitches, it has me worried. How do I know if my hitch is a bad one?

Bruce

I guess no one is willing to answer your question..

While I don't have a GM, but if I remember correctly the hitches which were bad used round tubing and also had an additional connection to the bumper underneath the step.

There was something about the round tubing breaking away from the welds at the hitch receiver.

The replacement hitch uses square tubing which results in a sturdier connection between the receiver and the tubing..

My suggestion is if you have the round tubing type hitch then you should get in contact with a GM dealer and see if you are eligible for the recall. Time is of the essence since some recalls do have a point in time where they expire..

If no recall or satisfaction of getting a recall replacement then buy a good aftermarket hitch..

Weather it was recalled or not I would replace it. I have had to replace three factory hitches (three different chevy trucks)due to twisting them with the weight distribution hitches. One failed in the driveway one failed at the campground and the third we caught torn welds on at home with no trailer attached. The trucks were all 2500 4x4, two 1998's and a 2006.... For me it is a $230 piece of mind now.

FYI:

One can search the NHTSA data base for any/all recalls associated with any vehicle by entering the vehicle details at this page.

The OEM hitch on your truck is junk, several have failed while towing heavy as reported on this forum and others....but there was never a recall.