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2.5" Hitch,why?

Daveybear

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Daveybear Enthusiast

Daveybear

Posted
Posted

Well I finally bought an 08 Sierra 2500HD Crew,4x4. 6.0L. 6sp. auto. There has to be a reason, but why does GMC give you a 2.5" hitch? I knew this befor buying but I have never seen a 2.5" insert. I do have the 2" adapter which I'll be using for towing our 24.5' travel trailer. I'm thinking about 95% or more of us only need a 2" hitch.

I'm hoping this isn't a stupid question but what is the reason behind this?

ttyl,Dave

brims Senior Enthusiast

brims

Posted
Posted

I think the 2.5" stuff is fairly new, I could be wrong, if it is really new then sooner or later someone will come out with 2.5" inserts.

 

They may just be trying to future proof the trucks a little bit.

MarkD Senior Enthusiast

MarkD

Posted
Posted

I was thinking the same thing op. The only thing I can think of is either a government or DOT requirement for the increased load ratings.

 

Bump on the question though. I haven't found one anywhere.

Diesail Enthusiast

Diesail

Posted
Posted

There are plenty of 2.5" ball mounts out there. You just won't find them in your local auto parts store yet. Check on line at etrailer.com and many of the other other online venders.

old dog Enthusiast

old dog

Posted
Posted

 

 

There are plenty of 2.5" ball mounts out there. You just won't find them in your local auto parts store yet. Check on line at etrailer.com and many of the other other online venders.
it's some thing reese originally came up with to up the capacity between 14,000 and 16,000 lbs gross and ford jumped on the bandwagon first now every body is doing it but early on it was a bear cat to get the correct towing equipment and expensive.
Mclovin Enthusiast

Mclovin

Posted
Posted

Most of the class V and some class IV hitches have been 2.5" for a while.. I'm assuming the bigger opening allows more surface area on the box tube area which increases its strength. I personally run a 14k cap ball mount that's solid steel.. I believe my weak link in towing is the GM hitch itself.. waiting for some funds that death trap is getting replaced ASAP before it rips apart and kills someone

markw8 Enthusiast

markw8

Posted
Posted
Most of the class V and some class IV hitches have been 2.5" for a while.. I'm assuming the bigger opening allows more surface area on the box tube area which increases its strength. I personally run a 14k cap ball mount that's solid steel.. I believe my weak link in towing is the GM hitch itself.. waiting for some funds that death trap is getting replaced ASAP before it rips apart and kills someone

 

I think they are finally fixing their bad hitch design by going to a larger square tube on the 11's.

 

Mark.

r1byker Enthusiast

r1byker

Posted
Posted
Most of the class V and some class IV hitches have been 2.5" for a while.. I'm assuming the bigger opening allows more surface area on the box tube area which increases its strength. I personally run a 14k cap ball mount that's solid steel.. I believe my weak link in towing is the GM hitch itself.. waiting for some funds that death trap is getting replaced ASAP before it rips apart and kills someone

 

I think they are finally fixing their bad hitch design by going to a larger square tube on the 11's.

 

Mark.

 

 

Not just the 11's. It's on my 2010 as well. I'm assuming this is just for the 2500 and 3500 models?

Riverjet502 Enthusiast

Riverjet502

Posted
Posted

People are getting more into the oil burners now. And with the oil burner torque wars going on the manufactures are uping the towing capacities on the heavy 3/4 & 1 toners, so beefier hitches are in order..

markw8 Enthusiast

markw8

Posted
Posted
So on the 2003 to 07 hds, the hitch's are class IV?

Why is it a death trap

 

Take a good look at one with the round tube, and the welds, and the leverage that can be put on it by the receiver tube, and 500#s tongue weight.

 

Mark.

Dixon Peer Enthusiast

Dixon Peer

Posted
Posted
So on the 2003 to 07 hds, the hitch's are class IV?

Why is it a death trap

 

Take a good look at one with the round tube, and the welds, and the leverage that can be put on it by the receiver tube, and 500#s tongue weight.

 

Mark.

 

 

 

I have an '09 Silverado Allison/Duramax with the 2.5" hitch receiver and wondered about it too. But the hitch structure has a tube (that's square), not a pipe (round). And the welds look good. I don't tow much, just enough in moving a construction trailer from one site to another, usually only once or twice a year. I don't think I really have to worry about the strength of the hitch.

thearborbarber Enthusiast

thearborbarber

Posted
Posted

For you reading pleasure;

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...l=hitch+failure'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...l=hitch+failure'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...l=hitch+failure'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...l=hitch+failure'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...l=hitch+failure'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...l=hitch+failure'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...l=hitch+failure'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...l=hitch+failure'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...l=hitch+failure'>http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...l=hitch+failure

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...l=hitch+failure

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...l=hitch+failure

 

http://www.rv.net/forum/Index.cfm/fuseacti...ng/1/page/1.cfm

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...l=hitch+failure

markw8 Enthusiast

markw8

Posted
Posted
So on the 2003 to 07 hds, the hitch's are class IV?

Why is it a death trap

 

Take a good look at one with the round tube, and the welds, and the leverage that can be put on it by the receiver tube, and 500#s tongue weight.

 

Mark.

 

 

 

I have an '09 Silverado Allison/Duramax with the 2.5" hitch receiver and wondered about it too. But the hitch structure has a tube (that's square), not a pipe (round). And the welds look good. I don't tow much, just enough in moving a construction trailer from one site to another, usually only once or twice a year. I don't think I really have to worry about the strength of the hitch.

 

 

My 08 still has the round tube. I'm going to use it to flat tow my Jeep.

 

Mark.

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