I know there were some problems with the 2001-2007 receivers on the chevy/gmc trucks. Mine cracked and i have read about the issues with the receivers failing on the forums here. My question is the new 2007.5 and 2008 receivers look to be of the same design but a little bit beefier. Has anyone done any test to the new receivers? What are your opinions?

The new reciever is a 2 1/2 in reciever and it is beefier like you said. It comes with a 2 in insert for the reciever. I have yet to tow with mine.

I never had any problem with my 1999 NBS one and my new one looks about the same quality wise. The 2" insert for the 2.5" receiver looks pretty flimsy though.:eek: I have not tried mine out yet because I want to put more miles on it.

I pulled a single jet ski home from the beach, don't think I'd want to trust it for much more though, especially after seeing how it mounts up.

I have towed about 8,000 pounds about 10 times with it. I HATE the 2.5 inch reciever. I cannot use my adjustable drop hitch since it uses pins that extrudes instead of a bar to hold it in place.

For the amount thaese trucks can tow, IMHO, there is no need for anything more than the 2''. Its another money maker for whomever wants to start making the 2.5ers.... And all my reinforced 2"ers will be useless....

I also lifted the back ifthe truck off the ground with the reciver today to put the MBRP exhaust on, no flex.... But I think they could make the hitch better...

No probs here.....................

use the 2.5" with my Rapid Hitch and its works perfect. Nothing in the way.

I've towed my 5500# trailer now about 4,000 miles, mostly in mountains, using an Equalizer wdh with absolutely no problems.

no problems here tow almost every week a pair of race cars. . .

15K Boat over 200 Miles, no issues. Also inadvertantly lifted the back end off the ground with it when trying to get the boat off because I forgot to unlock the trailer.. LOL. OOPS. I agree about disliking the 2.5" receiver though..

10.5K boat on a tripple axle aluminum trailer...roughly 12K total with no problems. I had a Class V Titan on my F-350. I may still upgrade the hitch...but I only tow the boat a couple times a year and no more than 50 miles so I am torn between staying stock or upgrading. Everything else I tow with a gooseneck.

Its nice that some of you have towed with success. I have too in the past until my receiver cracked. Read this thread and you will see what i am talking about. http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/18258007/gotomsg/18810416.cfm#18810416

we've been towing 26,000# wagons filled w/ beans, haven't broke yet.

mmmmm beans

Its nice that some of you have towed with success. I have too in the past until my receiver cracked. Read this thread and you will see what i am talking about. http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/18258007/gotomsg/18810416.cfm#18810416

I read a lot of this thread....it is referring to some 99 and then 2000-06 hitches from all I read. How does that imformation impact the new hitches on the 07.5 and 08's ? I thought the new hitches were completely different from the old ones....or are they the same with a bigger diameter receiver?

I read a lot of this thread....it is referring to some 99 and then 2000-06 hitches from all I read. How does that imformation impact the new hitches on the 07.5 and 08's ? I thought the new hitches were completely different from the old ones....or are they the same with a bigger diameter receiver?


Greg that is the exact question i have. I am still trying to get an answer to the question and i also have the same thread over on rv.net

I'm guessing here....................

The first generation of hitches were a class three hitch.

The current generation seems to be a class five hitch.

I'm guessing here....................

The first generation of hitches were a class three hitch.

The current generation seems to be a class five hitch.

That could be true.Tthe receiver now looks to be of the same design but a little more stout. i dont have access to any older 2001 - 2007 receivers otherwise i would take some measurements. Do any of you fellas have access to both trucks side by side to take a look?

I'll have to look we have both trucks, just took 21,000# of beans in to the elevator w/ a KB 385 wagon. Used my truck w/ the 'weak' hitch.

I'll have to look we have both trucks, just took 21,000# of beans in to the elevator w/ a KB 385 wagon. Used my truck w/ the 'weak' hitch.

Thanks for taking a look for me! I am not sure if the hitch is 'weak' as you say but i have broken mine and i have read on multiple forums of others breaking theirs. :)

I pulled as Sled ONCE with my stocker, No problems yet...:D

There was a thread that someone refered to on RVNet that stated that anyone who towed over 6,000 lbs consistantly would have hitch problems.

This is going back about two years.

There was a thread that someone refered to on RVNet that stated that anyone who towed over 6,000 lbs consistantly would have hitch problems.

This is going back about two years.

I have read many threads on rv.net about this problem. I still can not find an answer if the 2008 will have the same problems as the 2001 - 2007

I would say no. Because of GM going with the class 5 hitch.

Unfortunatly this is just an opinion.

Start towing and keep an eye for cracks around the welds?

After watching Tomac and others pull w/ the old hitchs, I couldn't see how anyone could break it. 40-50,000# sled, tons of tongue weight and 600+ hp.

I've tested over 15 HD hitches on 2000 up and haven't ever had any trouble.
I usually pull 12-15,000# on the bumper and a few 25,000# loads but no tongue weight.

After watching Tomac and others pull w/ the old hitchs, I couldn't see how anyone could break it. 40-50,000# sled, tons of tongue weight and 600+ hp.

I've tested over 15 HD hitches on 2000 up and haven't ever had any trouble.
I usually pull 12-15,000# on the bumper and a few 25,000# loads but no tongue weight.

maybe its more of a quality control issue. i never thought mine would crack until i read about it on rv.net. after reading about it i went and checked mine on my 2004.5 crew cab 2500 and sure enough it was cracked so i replaced it with a putman class 5. i will try and find some pics of some cracked hitches. is anyone available to look at the hitches side by side and take some pics?

Here is some good reading for you guys that say these hitches will not crack or fail.
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/7350273/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1

This thread has pictures of a failed hitch and it does not look pretty. Please click on the link below to take a look.
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/19503350/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1

here is another one with a few more pictures. ouch!
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/19373523/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1

This thread has some really good information and testing that was done by one of the forum members at rv.net .. this is a must read for any of you that tow heavy loads.
http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/15852601/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1

Do you think there is a problem here?

Do you think there is a problem here?

Its very possible...:D

lol

ttt

poop

you all are scarring me,I am looking at mine tomorrow:eek:

A MUST READ!

http://www.woodalls.com/cforum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/15023941/srt/pa/pging/1/page/8.cfm

sure looks like some thing ran into those and its always the same picture,doesent look like hitch failure but a car/truck accident

I am still trying to get an answer to the question and i also have the same thread over on rv.net

Diesel Man, after reading a thread started by Brancieri with concerns about hitches, I did a DP search on "hitch failure" and found your thread from October about 2007.5 and 2008 hitches. The thread just sort of stopped and I didn't see where you got any answer to your question about a comparison between 7.5/08 hitches and earlier designs. Did I miss that in another thread? Did you ever get an any feedback from your posting on RV.net? I did see responses in this thread from folks towing with 7.5/08 hitches with no problems, which I was glad to see.

Brancieri's thread was the first I've seen on problems with GM hitches. Since I bought my 08 3500 solely for towing my TT, and in the future a heavier 5er, this subject is kinda, sorta important to me. I followed the links in both DP threads to the RV.net and Woodalls threads (some recent, some over two years old) and I saw a bunch of photos, including the ones you included, so I've read some of the background on GM hitch failures.

I only have a little over a 100 miles on the truck so I'm still breaking it in and have some time to do more research and decide if I need to replace a frickin' brand new Class V hitch on my frickin' brand new $50K truck. Of course, cost is no object when it comes to my and my wife's safety so I'm prepared to shell out what's necessary --- IF it's necessary. I've got over 8,000 miles on my Ford F-250 and Puma rig so I'm not new to towing.

What's your current confidence level on the 7.5/08 hitches? Have you had a chance to tow since October? Will you be keeping or replacing your 08 hitch?

Other comments from DPers is always welcome by this GM hitch nooobie.

Thanks.

Redmetoc - I think the 2008 receiver is just as weak as the early models. It is of a poor design. I have towed with mine but that does not mean i trust it. I just sold my 2006 toyhauler and upgraded to a 2009 fifth wheel so i will probably keep my stock receiver because i will not be towing heavy with it any more....

Diesel Man, thanks for the reply.

Yeah, makes sense you'd keep your OEM hitch since you'll have a 5er hitch installed.

Once I finish my 500 mile break in, I'll take the Puma out for a short test tow, get a feel for the new hitch, then take the wife and TT out for a short trip to our favorite LA casino / RV park about three hours away. If all goes well, I'll keep an eye on the hitch by doing frequent visual inspections and if I see any problems I'll replace it with a Putnam or I'll do what you did ................buy a 5er!

Do you think there is a problem here?

Not if you're gonna pull a 2-tie or 3-tie baler through a hay field.:D;)

Haven't noticed any issues with my receiver. I've towed 4 times with it since getting the truck in July and my Eagle isn't exactly a lightweight trailer....