A friend of mine told me that the factory Recievers are capable of breaking or bending the bumper down. He said this happend even if you tow well under the limitations. I did a search and couldn't find anything. Should I change my reciever? Isn't this something Chevy should fix???

BTW I tow a 10,000 toy hauler.

some will say yes i say no. If it bends then get a new one chances are that it will never happen i think.

replace it immediatly

Found it thanks...

After reading about this I can't believe there is no Recall Or Class Action Suit. I don't think we should have to incur the cost of replacing the FACTORY receiver.

Good thing I only regularly bumper pull 7k or so... On my 2000 GMC the factory reciever actually broke and fell off, luckily it was at 2 mph on a dirt road with an empty trailer.

This seems to be a very common problem with many experienced towers. I'm going to look at my receiver/hitch and see if I notice any bending or fatigue. If so, I'm going to GM. This should be fixed ASAP...40-50K for a truck, it should be able to tow within it's limits...

I backed up into a high curb last winter with the drop hitch still in, it hit very hard.... so hard it bent the hitch down about 1 1/2" at the ball , i ran it all winter towing every weekend like that. Would i trust it to tow heavy , no but it showed no signs of cracking. I did read a post from one hot shot driver/owner that had almost 300K on his truck having it fail. I now have a putnam Xtraduty hitch , cheapest severe duty I could buy (under 220.00 shipped to my door)

Moved to truck uses.

Mine was cracking at the welds, It looks to me that one of the welds wasn't hot enough and separated from the metal and then put stress on the other welds. I only tow a travel trailer made by Forest River....... Sierra 301 BHD..... with a loaded weight around 10,000 lbs.. I couldn't believe it and took it over to Chevy and they wouldn't replace it and I really didn't push for it because I wanted something heavy duty.

I know of a lot of people that have never had a issue and tow more than me.

Good luck.

i dont tow much over the winter however i tow 5-6 days out of the week during the summer. tomorrow i will have my truck up on the life and check it out to see if everything at least looks ok. now after hearing this ill probally replace my hitch just before the spring just in case.

My hitch bent up, I think loading my car in and out of the trailer bent it.

Mine would twist 10* with load leveling bars on it and thus was not able to transfer weight to the front of the truck....complained to the dealer about it, but was pretty much ignored.

I removed it and installed a class 5 square tube from Curt mfg. No problems now.

Maybe if we complained to the right person (attorney) they would listen. I'm usually against law suits and BS like that, but this is so common. GM should do something about it. It could seriously hurt or kill somone or a family and because they know about it, it is negligant.

i replaced mine with the putnam extreme duty. the factory hitch would try to bend my bumper down when i would have to much tongue weight on it. there is a big difference between the 2 hitches when you look at them side by side.

Ordered the Putnam yesterday...really pisses me off that I have to have it changed! They guy from Putnam said that the DOT is investigation as to why so many GM owners are changing their receivers out. Maybe it will lead to a recall.

I have had my truck for only a month and havent towed with it yet and just got the plow on in time,But why would the bumper bend it shoudnt be attached to the bumper or atleast the frame 1st and it shoulndt bend I will look at mine tommorrow I too may hace to change mine as i tow a enclosed trailer,racecar and tools etc I would say about 11000 lbs and i dont want to take a chance of it ending or worse :eek:

If you're towing that much, I would look into changing it. I've had many people and friends tell me about the stock receiver bending/failing...

Do a search and you'll find tons of info and pictures of stock GM receivers that bent and or tore.

:eek: Here is MORE on these hitches that I have found. Scarry! After reading all this I checked mine and sure enough I have a cracked weld aswell.
http://www.woodalls.com/cforum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/15023941/srt/pa/pging/1/page/5.cfm
http://www.trailerlife.com/cforum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/20698125.cfm

Dad has broke 2. I broke one on his 05 when it was 4 months old. Dropped off what I was towing and drove to the dealership and talked to the gm and said get me new hitch. Got it replaced and went and put on a heavier hitch. Dad traded a couple weeks ago and I got the big hitch and my stocker went on his trade in.
When I broke it I wa towing 2 ammonia tanks(23k) and was slowing down to turn atabout 5mph and BOOM. Thought the tanks were coming through cab, hit the throttle and they followed suit and checked
and it cracked the weld ans rolled the bumper down a little. They are junk!

23K??? They stock hitch is only rated at 12K WD.

I upgraded to the Class V Putam...installed it last weekend....Bolted right up and feels much stronger.
The factory hitch bolts were not nearly tight enough...really dissapointing. But, very happy I replaced it.

True, but no tongue weight when pulling an ammonia tank or hopper wagon.

Replaced mine with the Putman PDR before I towed. Did'nt want to take a chance.

I hauled a 8k piece of machinery on a car hauler last week and they loaded it nose heavy to begin with. I started to think about the stories of hitch failure and got the guys to move it back about 2 ft to where I only had about 1k on the nose or so.

Good move...I wouldn't chance it.

I installed the Putnam Class V last week

I knew mine was cracked for a little bit. When I went to repair it, I was amazed at how bad it was and then terrified that I had been towing with it like this. After these pics were taken, I was able to break off the right side arm by hand. There was only about 1" of tubing holding it. I put on a class V and feel much safer now.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n97/cbryant_1/hitchpics004.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n97/cbryant_1/hitchpics003.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n97/cbryant_1/hitchpics002.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n97/cbryant_1/hitchpics001.jpg

I just ordered putnam class 5 XDR from performance center for $125.51 shipped, my tt weighs in at @9000lb loaded up and even though my factory hitch looks allright I have a better peace of mind.

I just ordered putnam class 5 XDR from performance center for $125.51 shipped, my tt weighs in at @9000lb loaded up and even though my factory hitch looks allright I have a better peace of mind.


Thanks! I just ordered one. It came to $138.99 shipped for my truck.

I just ordered putnam class 5 XDR from performance center for $125.51 shipped, my tt weighs in at @9000lb loaded up and even though my factory hitch looks allright I have a better peace of mind.

Can you provide a link to this site, I would like to order one also.

Thanks,

Harry

performance center dot com

Can you provide a link to this site, I would like to order one also.

Thanks,

Harry

This is what I ordered . There is a difference with the short bed and the long bed.

http://www.performancecenter.com/product.page/Hitches+%26+Towing/Hitches/0/0/PUTNAM/PUT25182/CHEVY~GMC+TRUCK/2002/Silverado~Sierra+2500+Heavyduty

The weight ratings that they (perf center) have posted are wrong, I ordered mine by part# after conferming the weight rating with Putnam customer service.

Weight rating for the long bed class 5, the picture is for 25182=short bed, the pdf is for 25189

I changed to the Putnam XDR Class V about a year ago. Cheap insurance IMO. Stock hitch was not cracked yet. Glad I changed it out after seeing the pictures of the broken ones.

Has anyone with the XDR hitch mounted able to get their 265 spare in between the hitch? I have heard some can't get the spare up in the spot because it hits the hitch. I want to get one but have 365 tires, and don't want to waste the money if my spare won't fit.

Has anyone with the XDR hitch mounted able to get their 265 spare in between the hitch? I have heard some can't get the spare up in the spot because it hits the hitch. I want to get one but have 365 tires, and don't want to waste the money if my spare won't fit.

I think the Putnam XDR hitch was designed to fit with a stock spare tire (245x75x16). I have an aftermarket rear differential (PML), and I can't even get the stock 245 to fit up in place with the XDR hitch on. There is only a 2 inch difference with the PML cover. On the other hand, the hitch is well built and a good addition, but I just wish I could fit the tire back up in place.

Fedex just dropped mine off this morning, no damage from shipping and in perfect condition, Fast shipping!!!!!!!!!

I think the Putnam XDR hitch was designed to fit with a stock spare tire (245x75x16). I have an aftermarket rear differential (PML), and I can't even get the stock 245 to fit up in place with the XDR hitch on. There is only a 2 inch difference with the PML cover. On the other hand, the hitch is well built and a good addition, but I just wish I could fit the tire back up in place.


Yes, it is designed for the stock tire. I have a 265 and it rubs the hitch and the rear differential...I dropped some air pressure and I think it's ok. It didn't rub bad.

Just today I installed my Putnam XDR that I snagged off craigs list for $100, brand new in the box. Another thing you have to be careful of is aftermarket exhaust. I have a 4" Banks monster exhaust and it rubs the hitch. Not sure if I'm going to adjust the hangers or attached some heater hose to the hitch to prevent it rubbing metal on metal.

Yes, it is designed for the stock tire. I have a 265 and it rubs the hitch and the rear differential...I dropped some air pressure and I think it's ok. It didn't rub bad.

Does the hitch sit differently than the stock hitch? What is causing the 265 tire to barely fit? I want to get one...but don't want to waste the money if it is going to cause problems.
Thanks Steve

No problems at all. One of the things that makes it stronger is that it is a square across rather than the molded, bent factory tube. So it sits back about 1.5 to 2.5 inches. My spare tire is a 265, the stock tire is 245. My spare rubbed the differential a little, but it seems to have stopped. I emptied a lot of the air in it which helped reduce the amount of rubbing. I actually forgot about it and checked it yesterday, it does not rub anymore. Since it was so slight, it probably just wore a few milimeters off and now it's fine.

Well I got my XDR the other day and installed it today....absolutely no problems what so ever, went right up and the spare has plenty of room...3 and a half inches between the tire and the back of the hitch.:D

Well I got my XDR the other day and installed it today....absolutely no problems what so ever, went right up and the spare has plenty of room...3 and a half inches between the tire and the back of the hitch.:D
Yes plenty of room if you have an 8' bed.

Yes plenty of room if you have an 8' bed.


I DO....:D

Yes plenty of room if you have an 8' bed.

Just wondering, as I haven't looked too closely. Is the length from the rear bumper to the rear axle different depending on the bed length? Or does GM just add the extra length between the axle and the cab for a long bed vs short bed.

Yes the length from the rear bumper to the axle is different between the short & long bed.

Yes the length from the rear bumper to the axle is different between the short & long bed.

Hmm, learn something new everyday...

Thanks to this thread, bought one and installed it last night. My hitch was pretty well rusted up.
The only problem I had installing it was the spare, but I left it in place and deflated the tire and re-inflated it after the new hitch was installed.

Stock, your OK, but an after market differential, for example, PML or Mag Hytec, and you run into a small 2inch "no fit" problem!

I didn't think there was any problems with the receivers on the '06-'07 trucks. Thought they (Chevy/GM) fixed that. I had an '02 that the welds cracked. Now I need to check my new truck. I tow a trailer almost everyday.

These are from another post from another member!

http://paulscomputershoppe.net/GMhitch/crash.htm

Did the broke hitch cause the accident, or the other way around?
Ted

I don't know. But I do know that several members here have had the stock hitch break.

I have seen SEVERAL insidents in several other forums too.

My hitch bent when I got rear ended a few months back.

I'm still waiting on my Putnam XDR I ordered from Performance Center back in November.

And trying to figure out what's bent/what to replace to straighten my rear bumper back up. The stock GM hitch has two bolts attaching it to the bumper that pulls it down with it.

i have yet to see any problems on my 06 but i did have my hitch bend on my 98 2500

I'm still waiting on my Putnam XDR I ordered from Performance Center back in November.

Thats a little ridiculous. I got mine in 3 days from Putnam by ordering through Performance.
You may have this but here is the info for the companies.

Putnam Hitch Products, PO box 39, 211 Industrial Ave, Bronson, MI 49028 (517) 369-2165 or 1-800-336-4271 These are the only 2 numbers I found on the sheet that came with my hitch.

Performance Ctr Wholesale Inc, 1731 Kaiser Rd, Irvine, CA, 92614, 949-598-8285.

I'm still waiting on my Putnam XDR I ordered from Performance Center back in November.

Thats a little ridiculous. I got mine in 3 days from Putnam by ordering through Performance.
You may have this but here is the info for the companies.

Putnam Hitch Products, PO box 39, 211 Industrial Ave, Bronson, MI 49028 (517) 369-2165 or 1-800-336-4271 These are the only 2 numbers I found on the sheet that came with my hitch.

Performance Ctr Wholesale Inc, 1731 Kaiser Rd, Irvine, CA, 92614, 949-598-8285.

Thanks for the info Ski. I've been in constant contact with Performance Center this whole time. Part of the reason it's taken so long is that my hitch was sent to me sometime in December but the FedEx driver didn't even bother taking it off the truck because of the condition of the box. The loose hitch had busted through every side of the box and the hitch itself was scratched to all hell. Since I refused it, I had to wait for it to get back to Putnam, and I've since been told by Performance Center that "they're back ordered" and that the returned hitch is "being processed before a new one is sent" and blah blah...

mine was starting to show wear at the cross pin hole, making it oval rather than round and i was towing less than 10K lbs!! after seeing and reading about these lame ass hitches, i swithed it out for a nice 14K rated 2.5in freidel class 5 and thru the factory one in the trash. i thought about the putnam hitch but after seeing what one of them did to a HD frame i said no thanks. putnam = bent rear frame. id only rec. the reese tow beast or freidel

Does anyone know if these problem exists on the '08's? My '08 came with a class V from the factory with a 2.5" ballmount square. I ordered new ballmount and Reese Titan Weight Distributing shanks.

Before I got my '08, I had an '02 for about 5 years and towed a 10K travel trailer all over the place. Never had any issues with that receiver.

I am wondering did Chevrolet change to the 2.5" on the '08's and if so, is the problem fixed?

ctibbit, just speaking for my experience with my GMC sig truck.....my class V hitch has the 2 1/2" receiver but the HD towing package comes with an adapter sleeve that slips inside the hitch receiver reducing the size to 2". I had to educate my salesman on it and eventually convinced him when I showed him the info on GMC's website as we "built" a truck with the towing package. My truck was missing the sleeve (from the glove box) but he was able to swipe one from another truck on the lot (along with a hitch pin and cotter pin).

I can't imagine that Chevy would be any different so you might want to talk to your dealer about the sleeve.....if you have a need for a 2" hitch. I do since my Equalizer hitch and tow bar for my boat are both 2".

On a second reading of your post, looks like you'll be going with a full 2 1/2" hitch so a sleeve would unnecessary. I'd be curious what your salesman has to say about a sleeve missing from your truck....if the Chevy's even came with the adapter sleeve.

About your question asking if the 08's are experiencing the problem --- I've only towed about 50 miles with my Puma (just got it back from the dealer after a month), about half on the freeway, the other on winding backroads. I inspected my hitch afterwards and didn't see any obvious problems with cracked welds, etc. But, because of this very thread, I'll be keeping an eye on my GMC hitch a helluva lot closer than I ever had to with my Ford.

Redmetoc - Sorry if I wasn't clear. My truck did come with the reducer sleeve, the saleswoman pointed it out to me at the dealership. I used it a couple of times with my old ballmounts but it seeed to rattle too mauch for my tastes so I ordered a new 2.5" square ballmount as well as a reese titan 2.5" Weight Distributing shank for my travel trailer.

The weight distributing shank is actually pretty neat. The casting is 2.5" for the receiver tube and then necks down to 2" so my old weight distributing ballmount can bolt right on.

I have two 300+ mile trips on my '08 towing my 26' travel trailer. I got concerned reading the posts about factory hitches bending and failing but I noticed that most people who were posting about failures had 2006 or earlier trucks. I was wondering if the change to the 2.5" by GM was prompted by these failures. Of course, the reason for not hearing more about hitch failures on '08's could be from the fact there are not as many '08's out there and the surely havent towed as many miles as some of the older trucks.

Anyway, like you said, I'll be checking my hitch a lot more often for cracks and bending. At the very least, reading this thread has made me pay more attention to my receiver.

ctibbitt, Roger that. Agree with your comments on problems being with earlier models. I thought the same thing as I read through this thread from the beginning.

I went to the Reese website to check out the WD shanks. I found a description but I couldn't find a good picture or photo of one. Sounds interesting, I'd like to check 'em out. Got a good link?

Got a line on an online source? PM me with a link if you have one. I don't want to foul up with the mods again posting a link to a non-DP vendor. :D Hey mods, I support DP vendors! Fleet Filter! Merchant Automotive! :beerchug:

When you say "weight distributing ballmount", do you mean a specialized WD hitch for RVs, like my Equalizer Hitch? I want to make sure I'm not confusing it with a weight carrying hitch bar you bolt the hitch ball to, like the one I have for my boat.

Cheers.

ctibbitt, nevermind my question about WD ballmounts. I found a bunch of info online. The difference in engineering approach between Reese and Equalizer was throwing me there for a little bit.

Still PM me if you have a good online source.

Thanks.