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Old 05-14-2011, 03:30 PM   #1
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Question Suburban 2500 Hitch Concerns

Gang:

New to the group...I have had three Jaycos, all awesome...we currently own, new to us last fall, a 2003 Eagle 314BHS...my tow rig is a 2003 Burb 2500 with the tow package. I use a 12K Equalizer for weight distribution...my question is...should I be concerned with my current receiver (GM Stock), the trailer had 860lbs. at the tongue dry, we all know with the storage up front on these the water tank being up there I am over a 1000lbs...I am assuming the factory hitch is a class 4....any help is appreciated...
Do I need to upgrade to a class 5 or am I concerned about nothing? I have read about these things failing on people on the road, I have found Class 5 Curts (1600 TW allowed) that bolt on for under 200 bucks new...

Chris
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Old 05-14-2011, 05:11 PM   #2
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Welcome to the Jayco Owners Forum Chris. We have some pretty tow savvy members here who are happy to share their knowlege! Congrats on the "new" tt!
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Old 05-14-2011, 05:45 PM   #3
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I have the same hitch and the same concerns, due to all the threads I have read on RVnet about GM hitch issues during certain model years. These hitches have high # ratings but do not look that beefy compared to after market hitches and have been known to develop cracks and failed welds. I also have my eye on A Curt Class 5 hitch from Etrailer. But many folks have used the stock GM hitch without issues, as have I for 7 years. But mine is now very rusty. BTW welcome to JOF.
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Old 05-15-2011, 12:29 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Christopher Gilmer View Post
snip.....Do I need to upgrade to a class 5 or am I concerned about nothing? I have read about these things failing on people on the road, I have found Class 5 Curts (1600 TW allowed) that bolt on for under 200 bucks new...snip
Chris,

IMO, that would be $200 well spent.....cheap insurance.

Based on my personal experience with the GM OEM receiver in question (had one on my '02' 2500HD) when heavier loaded TT tongue weights (1,200lbs plus) come into play I question the integrity of the receiver to deliver repeatable TV weight transfer with a high rated WDH spring bar (1,200lbs plus). The receiver design allowed for receiver components to "flex" when the spring bars were engaged, thus the weight transfer wasn't being effectively placed through the TV frame.

Your '03' Eagle has a GVWR of 9,400lbs. Ideally you want a loaded tongue weight equal to 13% -15% of your loaded 314BHS weight, so depending on what your actual TT loaded weight is you could very easily have a 1,200lb loaded tongue weight. My '05' Eagle has a GVWR of 9,200lbs, my actual "ready to camp" CAT scale loaded weight is 8,400lbs, and I have an actual loaded tongue weight of 1,200lbs (tad over 14%).

When I engaged my spring bars, the GM OEM pin box would flex upward at least 1". Here is what this weight did to my GM OEM receiver pin box over time before I "tossed it" 6 years ago;



My upgraded after market Putnam Class V receiver, the pin box would flex upward at the most 1/8", and has been a great receiver to-date;



Even if your pin box isn't bent, the possibility of some component flexing taking place while towing with a heavy tongue weight still exists.

Bob
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Old 05-15-2011, 05:44 AM   #5
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Good pics, Bob, yeah I forgot to mention the dreaded pinbox flex issue. The more I see and read about these GM hitches the less I like em. I believe they did make a better hitch with the new truck model in 07, didn`t they?
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Old 05-15-2011, 07:47 AM   #6
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Thanks you guys...I found a new Curt Class 5 online for 183 bucks shipped...I believe I will be ordering that Monday morning!!
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True Flow Intake
Magnaflow Catback
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Atwood Heavy Duty 3500 Tongue Jack
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Old 05-15-2011, 09:05 AM   #7
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snip........I believe they did make a better hitch with the new truck model in 07, didn`t they?
Lee,

Yes, the GM 2007/2008 new body style introduced a modified version of the questionable GM 2000-2007 old body style OEM receivers that came with the Large Pickups and SUV's.

Bob
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Old 05-15-2011, 10:33 AM   #8
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I replaced my stock GM hitch with a Draw-Tite class V hitch.
etrailer has quite a selsction & free shipping.

http://www.etrailer.com/
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Old 05-15-2011, 12:23 PM   #9
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Does anyone have any pics of what this Class 5 will look like on my Burb...I was also thinking of drilling through the bumper next to the license plate for my 7 pin harness...any thought there? Will it rust right away? Any pics please post or feel free to email me at cpgilmer@charter.net. Thanks you guys, this forum is a great help!!
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2003 Suburban 2500 (8.1L)
True Flow Intake
Magnaflow Catback
Curt XD Class 5
2012 Jayco Eagle 314 BDS Super Lite
Atwood Heavy Duty 3500 Tongue Jack
12K Eq-ua-lizer
:)
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Old 05-15-2011, 12:51 PM   #10
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Here`s a thread that may interest you about the Curt class V.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...g/1/page/1.cfm
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Old 05-15-2011, 04:09 PM   #11
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Putting the 7 pin in the bumper is the best place espically if one snowplows like me.
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Old 05-15-2011, 08:11 PM   #12
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Wow, went out tonight and really eyeballed the receiver...she's looks slightly bent upward...thought it was odd I had to adjust my Equalizer when I picked the trailer...soooooo...ordered a Class 5 Curt this evening from Etrailer.com. Hitch and rubber plug was 186 total with shipping...I will be putting that thing on ASAP...I am certainly lucky that thing didn't come apart and cause a heck of an accident! Well, I will post pictures before, and after the install...thanks for all the help you guys!!!!
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2003 Suburban 2500 (8.1L)
True Flow Intake
Magnaflow Catback
Curt XD Class 5
2012 Jayco Eagle 314 BDS Super Lite
Atwood Heavy Duty 3500 Tongue Jack
12K Eq-ua-lizer
:)
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Old 05-18-2011, 07:26 AM   #13
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I did spend the money to replace my receiver several years ago. For those individuals with heavy tongue weights, I strongly recommend replacing the receiver.
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Old 05-22-2011, 08:15 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Christopher Gilmer View Post
snip.......ordered a Class 5 Curt this evening from Etrailer.com.....snip
Just curious, how did the new Curt receiver compare to the old GM OEM receiver when you pulled it off ??

Bob
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Old 05-23-2011, 11:11 AM   #15
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Quote:
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Just curious, how did the new Curt receiver compare to the old GM OEM receiver when you pulled it off ??

Bob
I remember from a thread on RVnet about a guy who switched out the two hitches, the Curt weighed 54 lbs and the GM 33lbs. Some difference right there in beef.
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Old 05-24-2011, 06:01 PM   #16
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Gang:

Well, the switchout is complete as of this evening...wow, what a difference in weight, I also moved the trailer plug into the bumper...

How does one post pictures in these posts...i took a few and they show a nice difference?

Chris
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2003 Suburban 2500 (8.1L)
True Flow Intake
Magnaflow Catback
Curt XD Class 5
2012 Jayco Eagle 314 BDS Super Lite
Atwood Heavy Duty 3500 Tongue Jack
12K Eq-ua-lizer
:)
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Old 05-24-2011, 06:08 PM   #17
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OEM vs. Curt XD



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2003 Suburban 2500 (8.1L)
True Flow Intake
Magnaflow Catback
Curt XD Class 5
2012 Jayco Eagle 314 BDS Super Lite
Atwood Heavy Duty 3500 Tongue Jack
12K Eq-ua-lizer
:)
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Old 05-24-2011, 06:11 PM   #18
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I will now probabely have to adjust my Equalizer...the Curt sits closer to the bumper...may have to move the head on the shank up one adjustment!! But I like it!!!
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2003 Suburban 2500 (8.1L)
True Flow Intake
Magnaflow Catback
Curt XD Class 5
2012 Jayco Eagle 314 BDS Super Lite
Atwood Heavy Duty 3500 Tongue Jack
12K Eq-ua-lizer
:)
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Old 05-24-2011, 06:43 PM   #19
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Quote:
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I will now probabely have to adjust my Equalizer...the Curt sits closer to the bumper...may have to move the head on the shank up one adjustment!! But I like it!!!
I noticed that too. What is that about a 1.5 to 2" difference?


Was the old hitch hard to get off, ie frozen bolts, etc?
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Old 05-24-2011, 08:16 PM   #20
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Chris,

Lightened your pictures up for clearer viewing:

New Curt receiver:



Old OEM receiver:



Bob
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