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Denis4x4 · 08-07-2008, 12:47 PM

"There are aftermarket receivers that attach to the frame with six bolts and to the bumper with two more, same size. Seems like overkill to me."

Maybe we get better GMC's here in SW Colorado. My '06 GMC 2500 Sierra crew cab has an OE hitch with 3 half inch frame bolts on each side and two on the bumper and all of them are tight! Well over 10,000 miles towing a 25' Safari FB with nary a problem.

ROBERT CROSS · 08-07-2008, 01:50 PM

2006 3/4 Suburban OEM and Reese class five replacement.

This tv is new to us this past March. After six trips this Season I think we got things just about figgered out.

The Reciever replacement was done before it was put on the road.

Set up for our favorite AS fun we weigh in at 15940 lbs. Trlr. 7580 lbs Just would not feel safe using the OEM.

ROBERT CROSS · 08-07-2008, 02:10 PM

Check this out..

AirsDream · 08-07-2008, 03:09 PM

???? My new '08 GMC HD (Duramax, Allison, etc.) came with factory tow package that included Class V hitch. I think they've redesigned it.

yakman · 08-07-2008, 03:47 PM

Have there been any reported failures?

With screws backing off etc. that sounds like a poor installation to me. Surface rust is common.. while welds cracking should not be. Inspection of our running gear is crucial.

No recalls?

yakman

ROBERT CROSS · 08-07-2008, 03:54 PM

[quote=AirsDream;600718]???? My new '08 GMC HD (Duramax, Allison, etc.) came with factory tow package that included Class V hitch. I think they've redesigned it.[/quote

If it's got the HD square crossmember you should be good to go.

A round bar with no center reciever support should be replaced. IMHO

ROBERT CROSS · 08-07-2008, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yakman

Have there been any reported failures?

With screws backing off etc. that sounds like a poor installation to me. Surface rust is common.. while welds cracking should not be. Inspection of our running gear is crucial.

No recalls?

yakman

Failures, yes. The Chev. dealer I work at has replaced at least six in the last three rears, FOUR for CRACKED welds and two for excess rust.

All replaced under 3/36 GM warranty.

As of yet no recall that I'm aware of. At least I haven't recieved one yet on our 06 Burb.

Has anyone gotten a notice from any of the manufactures?, GM is not alone with this problem.

Our latest GM Reciever concern is hitch height. It went from a little over 19" on most TV models to over 22" on the 08's.

hookedonclassic · 08-07-2008, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

2006 3/4 Suburban OEM and Reese class five replacement.

This tv is new to us this past March. After six trips this Season I think we got things just about figgered out.

The Reciever replacement was done before it was put on the road.

Set up for our favorite AS fun we weigh in at 15940 lbs. Trlr. 7580 lbs Just would not feel safe using the OEM.

Bob: What brand is the Class V pictured in your post that you used as a replacement. Thanks.

ROBERT CROSS · 08-07-2008, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hookedonclassic

bob: What brand is the class v pictured in your post that you used as a replacement. Thanks.

reese

biggoofball · 08-07-2008, 05:58 PM

I'll have to keep an eye on my 08 Yukon. You all have me pretty concerned. I only have 3000 miles on it now, half of it towing.

ROBERT CROSS · 08-07-2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thatismytruc

I'll have to keep an eye on my 08 Yukon. You all have me pretty concerned. I only have 3000 miles on it now, half of it towing.

Been kind of off this subject for awhile. I will do some checking at the Store soon.

Do you have a photo of the unit?

biggoofball · 08-07-2008, 06:27 PM

I saw your photos. I was going to have a look tomorrow, It's raining quite hard right now. I assume if it's round bar I may have issues. I will snap a photo if it's something that does not resemble your photos. Thanks.

SteveH · 08-07-2008, 06:36 PM

I have an '07 GMC 1/2 ton truck with the factory hitch, and we just got back from an 11,000 mile trip, almost all towing, to Alaska and back. Believe me when I say some of the roads up there are not good. I inspected the hitch several times during the trip, and when we got back, and found no problems.

One of the things that many don't understand about the GM "round" hitch is that it bolts to another cross member that is part of the bumper. Are two round members equal to, less than, or greater than one larger square member?

ROBERT CROSS · 08-07-2008, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveH

One of the things that many don't understand about the GM "round" hitch is that it bolts to another cross member that is part of the bumper. Are two round members equal to, less than, or greater than one larger square member?

I think this the one you are talking about, it is the one that was installed on our 06 3/4 Burb. Although it did bolt to the underside of the bumper the reciever box itself is where the weld failures are taking place.

Also note how short the frame mount legs are compared to the replacement, much more efficient at transfering the weight to the frame and eventually to the front suspension. Four bolts per side as opposed to 6 on the OEM.

boatdoc · 08-08-2008, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yakman

Have there been any reported failures?

With screws backing off etc. that sounds like a poor installation to me. Surface rust is common.. while welds cracking should not be. Inspection of our running gear is crucial.

No recalls?

yakman

Hi yakman; I have taken my 06 HD to the dealer. At time of inspection it became obvious that no Locktite or lock washers were installed on the two bolts attaching it to the bumper. The paint has blistered at the welds, and there are indicators of welds beginning to crack, despite the opinion of the dealers service person who is not a metallurgist nor a welder. The issue is in design of the hitch. The four side rail bolts which attach the hitch to the frame are close to each other, and much too far forward of the bumper. The Reese tow bar places the hitch ball about two feet back of the rearmost frame mounting bolt. This places the ball at serious leverage advantage once the bumper bolts back out. The noises I have heard must have come from the back of the hitch hitting the bumper when going over bumps.

Yesterday I received a new ULTRA FRAME 15.000 Lbs hitch #41937 made of 3" square tubing 1/4" wall. Frame mounting bolts are spread at 14" centers. No bumper attaching holes in the bracket. They will have to be drilled out in the existing welded to the hitch bracket. Frame mounting rails are massive. They are 1/4" thick and 21" long. I believe it is made by Draw Tite, although it does not display any other names than ULTRA FRAME. The receiver box is a hefty 1/4" wall box reinforced by a 3/8" X 1" thick collar. It has 1/2" & 5/8" pin location. I will be installing it coming Saturday after which I will post a detailed report.

I would like to add one scary detail to the OEM hitch. The breakaway system's tether was attached to the hitch. If that hitch separated from the TV, the brakes would not have been activated. Has someone lost a life because of it, I could never camp again with this kind of memory on my mind. This may not be first thing on our mind, but it is a VERY SERIOUS ISSUE should it happen. Thanks, "Boatdoc"

biggoofball · 08-08-2008, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveH

Are two round members equal to, less than, or greater than one larger square member?

The shape has no bearing on the strength as long as the proper calculations were performed by the GM Engineers, and proper materials were used. I just referred to the round bar as a description, a form of differentiation between the factory and after market hitch.

SteveH · 08-08-2008, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

I think this the one you are talking about, it is the one that was installed on our 06 3/4 Burb. Although it did bolt to the underside of the bumper the reciever box itself is where the weld failures are taking place.

Also note how short the frame mount legs are compared to the replacement, much more efficient at transfering the weight to the frame and eventually to the front suspension. Four bolts per side as opposed to 6 on the OEM.

Robert,

I'm not trying to dispute what you are saying, however you are not including the strength and mounting bolts of the bumper crossmember in the equasion of the stock hitch mount.

On my truck, an '07 GMC 1/2 ton, there is an actual crossmember inside the bumper of significant strength...not just the bumper.

mustang · 08-08-2008, 08:09 AM

I am thinking GM may have corrected the problem at least for the 2500 hd. Now I look at hitches when walking threw parking lots hahah my kids say why do you keep looking down to me. Thats funny I think. Mouting bolts I would think should be no less then grade 8

ROBERT CROSS · 08-08-2008, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveH

Robert,

I'm not trying to dispute what you are saying, however you are not including the strength and mounting bolts of the bumper crossmember in the equasion of the stock hitch mount.

On my truck, an '07 GMC 1/2 ton, there is an actual crossmember inside the bumper of significant strength...not just the bumper.

Steve,
Your absolutely right, it's not the strength of the bumper mount bolts that are in question, it's the fact that the welds are failing at the hitch box, poor design and inadequate material strength.

The change in design can be seen in the thru bumper design on the new Suburbans. You can see here that the hitch box is mounted completely thru the square crossmember, and is 360 welded both sides. This hitch also has the two support bolts on either side of the reciever. The hitch itself is bolted directly into the ends of the frame rails. The issue with these has been hitch height. Which can be as high as 23 inches on the Z71.

yakman · 08-08-2008, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Steve,
Your absolutely right, it's not the strength of the bumper mount bolts that are in question, it's the fact that the welds are failing at the hitch box, poor design and inadequate material strength.

The change in design can be seen in the thru bumper design on the new Suburbans. You can see here that the hitch box is mounted completely thru the square crossmember, and is 360 welded both sides. This hitch also has the two support bolts on either side of the reciever. The hitch itself is bolted directly into the ends of the frame rails. The issue with these has been hitch height. Which can be as high as 23 inches on the Z71.

My 2007 2500HD Silverado has the tubular hitch set up. I do have the usual surface rust but no cracks yet. I'll certainly keep and eye on it. I think it would be fine for the usual hook and tow, but with all the stress of the WD hitch from raising and lowering the trailer etc. I think it has the potential to fail at those welds.. but then again I'm no doctor, I mean welder.

yakman