factory tow hitch

pm26 · October 7, 2006

Today I towed my 5000 lb boat/trailer several miles. I had a new draw bar with a 2 inch ball in the receiver tube (factory tow hitch). When I got back and pulled out the draw bar, I noticed two shiny dings in two places on the bar. For some reason the hitch receiver tube has a sharp edge just inside and as the trailer bounces up and down on the road, the edge cuts into the draw bar.

I have been towing the boat with another truck (Nissan) for years and never had this happen. Why can't GM pay attention to details like these? What possible reason exist to have a sharp edge just insider the reciever tube? I was going really slow with the trailer and there were just a few dips in the road. I can imagine what would happen if I drove really fast.

End of rant.

sc4808 · October 7, 2006

I understand where you are coming from but keep in mind that GM does not make the hitches, I'm not sure who does, more than likely one of the big hitch manufacturers but I agree, the quality could be better.

firefighteremt3100 · October 7, 2006

Today I towed my 5000 lb boat/trailer several miles. I had a new draw bar with a 2 inch ball in the receiver tube (factory tow hitch). When I got back and pulled out the draw bar, I noticed two shiny dings in two places on the bar. For some reason the hitch receiver tube has a sharp edge just inside and as the trailer bounces up and down on the road, the edge cuts into the draw bar.

I have been towing the boat with another truck (Nissan) for years and never had this happen. Why can't GM pay attention to details like these? What possible reason exist to have a sharp edge just insider the reciever tube? I was going really slow with the trailer and there were just a few dips in the road. I can imagine what would happen if I drove really fast.

End of rant.

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It goes along with the s**tty paint job they do on those. I guess its not just GM, ever receiver I've seen is rusted to hell. My truck isnt even 2 years old and for the most part was in the garage the whole time an older guy owned it. One of these days I Have to take it off and hopefully sandblast it and find some decent paint. Anyone else tackle this "problem" successfully with specific paints/products?

carneyman · October 7, 2006

Huh, I took the reciever hitch off my '99 and put in on my '02, and it still looks good. Guess I got a good 'un.

redvett · October 7, 2006

Today I towed my 5000 lb boat/trailer several miles. I had a new draw bar with a 2 inch ball in the receiver tube (factory tow hitch). When I got back and pulled out the draw bar, I noticed two shiny dings in two places on the bar. For some reason the hitch receiver tube has a sharp edge just inside and as the trailer bounces up and down on the road, the edge cuts into the draw bar.

I have been towing the boat with another truck (Nissan) for years and never had this happen. Why can't GM pay attention to details like these? What possible reason exist to have a sharp edge just insider the reciever tube? I was going really slow with the trailer and there were just a few dips in the road. I can imagine what would happen if I drove really fast.

End of rant.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I believe the current hitch is supplied by Reese. I havent got a problem with any of my hitches on my trucks 2000,01 02 & 04 and they are used daily.

ZZ327 · October 7, 2006

never had a problem with any of my hitches 03 02hd and 05

firefighteremt3100 · October 7, 2006

Hehe, guess I am just unlucky. Or the old fart that had it before me swapped hitches after he removed the nurf bars that came with the truck before he got rid of it I havent had the cutting issue though.

c4cruiser · October 7, 2006

My '99 hitch does the same thing. I'm too lazy to take a file to the inside of the receiver tube, but it will get done eventually.

For getting the hitch to look nice, pull it off and remove all the paint with paint remover and take it to get powdercoated. You can do black to hide it or do it in the color of the truck.

asilverblazer · October 7, 2006

I never even bothered to care enough to look inside my receiver tube for a smooth edge. Even if it isn't, who cares? I wonder why they make the thing hang down 2 1/2" lower than everyone elses?

pm26 · October 7, 2006

My '99 hitch does the same thing. I'm too lazy to take a file to the inside of the receiver tube, but it will get done eventually.

For getting the hitch to look nice, pull it off and remove all the paint with paint remover and take it to get powdercoated. You can do black to hide it or do it in the color of the truck.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

On my previous truck I coated the whole thing with spray on undercoating. It looked good and never rusted again. But getting it powdercoated is propbably the best idea.

pm26 · October 7, 2006

I never even bothered to care enough to look inside my receiver tube for a smooth edge. Even if it isn't, who cares? I wonder why they make the thing hang down 2 1/2" lower than everyone elses?

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I only noticed because I was using a new draw bar that had a nice coat of black paint on it. With the old rusty bar I probably would not have noticed anything.

Frank Sub · October 8, 2006

Hi--I use the "cheepo always look ok" method. I have a $0.98 can of flat black spray paint from WalMart which I use to touch up the hitch receiver when it starts to look grungy. About ready for my 2nd can. I don't sand, just scrape a little and spray--takes about 5 min., and it always looks pretty good.--Frank Sub

ZZebes · October 8, 2006

I agree with Frank Sub, i bought a can of rustoleum black paint and whenever i tow it rubs off so i just grab the can, stand upwind and spray, and violla good as new

pm26 · October 9, 2006

Well, problem solved. A few minutes of filing, a few squirts of black paint, and that is it. I noticed why there is a sharp edge around the end receiver tube ring: most hitch manufacturers weld the ring around the tube, but this hitch has it welded onto the end of tube, and the space inbetween on insdie of the tube was no filled with a seal weld.

Midwest GMC · October 13, 2006

Today I towed my 5000 lb boat/trailer several miles. I had a new draw bar with a 2 inch ball in the receiver tube (factory tow hitch). When I got back and pulled out the draw bar, I noticed two shiny dings in two places on the bar. For some reason the hitch receiver tube has a sharp edge just inside and as the trailer bounces up and down on the road, the edge cuts into the draw bar.

I have been towing the boat with another truck (Nissan) for years and never had this happen. Why can't GM pay attention to details like these? What possible reason exist to have a sharp edge just insider the reciever tube? I was going really slow with the trailer and there were just a few dips in the road. I can imagine what would happen if I drove really fast.

End of rant.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It goes along with the s**tty paint job they do on those. I guess its not just GM, ever receiver I've seen is rusted to hell. My truck isnt even 2 years old and for the most part was in the garage the whole time an older guy owned it. One of these days I Have to take it off and hopefully sandblast it and find some decent paint. Anyone else tackle this "problem" successfully with specific paints/products?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Mine is looking crappy as well. Has anybody tried getting the reciever powder coated??