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Looking At Buying A Hitch

Mazer18

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Mazer18 Enthusiast

Mazer18

Posted
Posted

I'd like to get a hitch for my '07 Silverado but I'm not sure of everything I need to know. I'll be pulling around a small 7'x5' trailer loaded with either a lawn tractor or firewood. So it won't be an incredible amount of weight.

 

What I need to know involves my type of hitch and braking for the trailer. I'm thinking I'll purchase this hitch here at this link----->http://www.reese-hitches.com/products/Roun...ver_Hitch,87186. It just bolts onto holes already in the frame of the truck.

I'm guessing that should be plenty for hauling around a 400-500 pound tractor or a half a ton or so of firewood?

 

Also, are all trailers required to have their own brakes and brake lights? I don't think the trailer I was looking at had it's own brakes, brake lights, or any cable to hook to my truck for the lights.

 

I don't know if any of yall know what I'm talking about without a picture but on the back of the new Silverado's there's the license plate and then a little door on each side of it. The door to the right of the license plate opens to the left toward the plate and I'm pretty sure it's for cranking down the spare tire. The door to the left of the plate I can't get to open. I think it might be for a trailer to hook to but I'm not sure. There's definitely wires connecting to it underneath. Can someone tell me which way it opens? I've already cracked the darn thing trying to pry it open every which way with a screwdriver.

 

Thanks in advance and sorry if this didn't make any sense.....I'll try to clean it up a little and get a picture up tomorrow morning once I'm rested. :cool:

bossier62guy Senior Enthusiast

bossier62guy

Posted
Posted
I'd like to get a hitch for my '07 Silverado but I'm not sure of everything I need to know. I'll be pulling around a small 7'x5' trailer loaded with either a lawn tractor or firewood. So it won't be an incredible amount of weight.

 

What I need to know involves my type of hitch and braking for the trailer. I'm thinking I'll purchase this hitch here at this link----->http://www.reese-hitches.com/products/Roun...ver_Hitch,87186. It just bolts onto holes already in the frame of the truck.

I'm guessing that should be plenty for hauling around a 400-500 pound tractor or a half a ton or so of firewood?

 

Also, are all trailers required to have their own brakes and brake lights? I don't think the trailer I was looking at had it's own brakes, brake lights, or any cable to hook to my truck for the lights.

 

I don't know if any of yall know what I'm talking about without a picture but on the back of the new Silverado's there's the license plate and then a little door on each side of it. The door to the right of the license plate opens to the left toward the plate and I'm pretty sure it's for cranking down the spare tire. The door to the left of the plate I can't get to open. I think it might be for a trailer to hook to but I'm not sure. There's definitely wires connecting to it underneath. Can someone tell me which way it opens? I've already cracked the darn thing trying to pry it open every which way with a screwdriver.

 

Thanks in advance and sorry if this didn't make any sense.....I'll try to clean it up a little and get a picture up tomorrow morning once I'm rested. :cool:

 

Try reading this post....might help you out. http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...=factory+towing

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted

You really can't go wrong with a Reese or Hidden Hitch. They are as strong as you will ever need if you pull normal loads within the limits of the truck. They bolt up to existing holes too which makes installing a snap.

LewiSILVERADO Enthusiast

LewiSILVERADO

Posted
Posted
Also, are all trailers required to have their own brakes and brake lights? I don't think the trailer I was looking at had it's own brakes, brake lights, or any cable to hook to my truck for the lights.

 

I believe issues like light and tag requirements for trailers varies from state to state. So you probably need to check with the appropriate state agencies. I know, for example, it's different here in Colorado than it was where I grew up in Oklahoma.

 

As for brakes, I don't believe I've ever seen brakes on a small utility trailer. I think they would cause more trouble than they would help (getting brakes to work on a reasonably heavy trailer when it is empty vs when it is loaded is hard enough). In Oklahoma we pulled 17 - 19 foot outboard boats with no trailer brakes, but that was pushing it a bit (no pun intended).

 

Good luck with your quest!

Daniel T Enthusiast

Daniel T

Posted
Posted

the hitch is only the tip of the ice berg.....

 

what about transmission coolers etc...since you truck does not have a hitch, it does not have the normal Z82 tow package equipment.

all of that stuff is there for a reason.

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ChickenWing Enthusiast

ChickenWing

Posted
Posted
the hitch is only the tip of the ice berg.....

 

what about transmission coolers etc...since you truck does not have a hitch, it does not have the normal Z82 tow package equipment.

all of that stuff is there for a reason.

 

 

I think he'll be alright if he is only pulling a lawnmower. :cool:

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted
the hitch is only the tip of the ice berg.....

 

what about transmission coolers etc...since you truck does not have a hitch, it does not have the normal Z82 tow package equipment.

all of that stuff is there for a reason.

 

 

I think he'll be alright if he is only pulling a lawnmower. :cool:

 

I think so too. I've pulled boats and light duty trailers with all of my trucks. If he starts wanting to pull some heavy stuff, I'd recommend a good trans cooler... That stuff IS there for a reason if you pull big loads.

LewiSILVERADO Enthusiast

LewiSILVERADO

Posted
Posted
the hitch is only the tip of the ice berg.....

 

what about transmission coolers etc...since you truck does not have a hitch, it does not have the normal Z82 tow package equipment.

all of that stuff is there for a reason.

 

NICE RIG! Does it have any slides? We were shopping for a lightweight in the 23-27 foot range with 1-2 slides this spring, decided to put it off until fall.

Daniel T Enthusiast

Daniel T

Posted
Posted

it is a 2001 Sunnybrook Titan 26CKS. The dinette slides out ~4 feet. near the front couch...makes the area very large and livable.

Queen size bed in rear, mid bath

 

28 feet total length...dry weight of ~6600#s.

 

ordered it new in late 2000 with every option available at the time. We have towed it all over California with our 2000 suburban 1500.

 

now is a very good time to look for a new or used RV with the gas prices. lots of stuff on sale at some great prices.

kpruitt Enthusiast

kpruitt

Posted
Posted
I'd like to get a hitch for my '07 Silverado but I'm not sure of everything I need to know. I'll be pulling around a small 7'x5' trailer loaded with either a lawn tractor or firewood. So it won't be an incredible amount of weight.

I don't know if any of yall know what I'm talking about without a picture but on the back of the new Silverado's there's the license plate and then a little door on each side of it. The door to the right of the license plate opens to the left toward the plate and I'm pretty sure it's for cranking down the spare tire. The door to the left of the plate I can't get to open. I think it might be for a trailer to hook to but I'm not sure. There's definitely wires connecting to it underneath. Can someone tell me which way it opens? I've already cracked the darn thing trying to pry it open every which way with a screwdriver.

 

The door on the the left is for the trailer "plug". It opens easily with one finger from the bottom. If yours doesn't open there might not be a receptacle there.

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ryandman89 Enthusiast

ryandman89

Posted
Posted

I had the same problems with the wiring cover on mine too. I eventually twisted it and pulled enough that it came off. I think the trick is turning it. I would tell you but I don't have my truck available to mess around with it again and figure it out. But I'm pretty sure that it does come off.

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted
I'd like to get a hitch for my '07 Silverado but I'm not sure of everything I need to know. I'll be pulling around a small 7'x5' trailer loaded with either a lawn tractor or firewood. So it won't be an incredible amount of weight.

I don't know if any of yall know what I'm talking about without a picture but on the back of the new Silverado's there's the license plate and then a little door on each side of it. The door to the right of the license plate opens to the left toward the plate and I'm pretty sure it's for cranking down the spare tire. The door to the left of the plate I can't get to open. I think it might be for a trailer to hook to but I'm not sure. There's definitely wires connecting to it underneath. Can someone tell me which way it opens? I've already cracked the darn thing trying to pry it open every which way with a screwdriver.

 

The door on the the left is for the trailer "plug". It opens easily with one finger from the bottom. If yours doesn't open there might not be a receptacle there.

 

If yours doesn't have the tow package, it won't have the plug installed. You will have a blank cover there. I bought a plug from my boat dealer and it plugged right into the factory harness and snapped into the hole in the bumper... Looks like it came from the factory. Pollak was the name brand. I think I spent a bit under 20 bucks.

 

I'm sure you could get one online through Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, etc. or any auto accessory outlet.

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Chevy2k5 Enthusiast

Chevy2k5

Posted
Posted

What's the spare tire thing in the attatched picture? My 2003 Silverado has something just like that on the rear bumper. I've always wondered what it was.

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shawnb123 Enthusiast

shawnb123

Posted
Posted

Check with you're Chevy dealer to see how much the Hitch Accessory PKG runs. I just had one installed on my 2007 NBS Silverado and it included a trailer plug that is shown on the left in KPZ71's picture. I got the Accessory PKG and they installed it all for around $230. The Accessory PKG itself was around $163 if you want to install it yourself. The hitch is a Class III hitch. That otta be good enough to pull a small trailer with riding lawnmower. I found this out @ GM-Trucks.com. :lol:

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