Anyone Experience Hitch Flex W/2009 Gm Hitch Receiver

[tomseeley]

When I had my 2002 Sierra, I read many messages here and elsewhere about people who experienced hitch flex with the older model GM OEM hitch receivers; the ones with the curved tubular design. So I took their advice and replaced mine with a Putnam XDR Class V receiver, and I never regretted it!

 

I'm about to buy a 2009 Sierra/Silverado (haven't decided which one yet) and I'm curious if I should still consider taking off the OEM receiver and putting on a new Putnam again.

 

What experiences have other owners of 2009 GM trucks had?

 

No offense intended, but no point in telling me to buy Ford or Dodge or...

 

Otherwise, thx

[thearborbarber]

I haven't heard anything recent but I just put on a Curt Class 4 hitch on my pickup today. It might have been over kill but it was cheap insurance.

 

I see that the design hasnt changed much compared to my 2004 just more welding in areas. The factory hitch weighed about half of what the curt hitch weighed.

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=66082

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...=28680&st=0

 

 

[2COR517]

GM factory receiver hitches have been notoriously weak since they started putting them on their trucks. They STILL use the bumper to carry a significant amount of the tongue weight. I just thrashed the factory hitch on my 97. It's a long story, I'll share if anyone is interested.

 

Anyway, I just put a Curt Class V (that's five LOL) on the truck. No comparison. The receiver box is pass through, so you can wash it out. That's a huge benefit up here in salt country. And it spreads the load over twice the area on the frame. If you do any serious towing, replace the factory with a real hitch. Go to RV.net if you want to see some real horror stories. Guys have completely lost their trailer from the truck.

 

BTW, Curt bought out Putnam. You might find a deal on some leftover Putnam inventory.

[thearborbarber]

GM factory receiver hitches have been notoriously weak since they started putting them on their trucks. They STILL use the bumper to carry a significant amount of the tongue weight. I just thrashed the factory hitch on my 97. It's a long story, I'll share if anyone is interested.

 

Anyway, I just put a Curt Class V (that's five LOL) on the truck. No comparison. The receiver box is pass through, so you can wash it out. That's a huge benefit up here in salt country. And it spreads the load over twice the area on the frame. If you do any serious towing, replace the factory with a real hitch. Go to RV.net if you want to see some real horror stories. Guys have completely lost their trailer from the truck.

 

BTW, Curt bought out Putnam. You might find a deal on some leftover Putnam inventory.

 

I had a Curt magnum V on my 2001 2500hd and 2004 2500hd. What a hitch! I would have bought a third but they don't make one for 1/2 ton. What happened to your 97's hitch?