09 2500HD receiver hitch

txwpd103 · 11-05-2009, 06:21 PM

My 09 LMM came with a receiver hitch that is bigger than normal receivers. It did come with a sleeve that makes it the right size for standard stingers. What is the purpose behind the bigger receiver size???

chevy71pickupman · 11-05-2009, 06:26 PM

Check the ratings on it i believe it is a class 5 hitch. Class 5 hitches use a 2 1/2 inch stinger so you have to sleeve them to use a regular stinger.

txwpd103 · 11-05-2009, 06:46 PM

Thanks. I thought that was the case, but I haven't seen any stinger the right size, even the ones rated up to 16K.

diesel guy · 11-05-2009, 06:47 PM

IIRC Class 5 hitches are for around 5 tons

Eng7BFD · 11-05-2009, 06:58 PM

Class V hitches used as weight carrying is rated up to 13,000 lbs. Hitches that are used for weight distributing are rated up to 17,000 lbs. gross trailer weight (GTW) with a maximum trailer tongue weight (TW) of 1700 lbs. The use of a ball mount and hitch ball of the same rating or higher is required.

Airwolflives · 11-05-2009, 07:18 PM

should have come from the factory with the adapter for a standard 2x2.dont try to use anything else it wont work the opening for the insert has a flared opening that the adapter needs to sit inside of.found this out the hard way.

TANK222 · 11-05-2009, 07:25 PM

I just put mine on order, guess my truck didnt come with one.

**Hook'em_Horns!** · 11-05-2009, 08:28 PM

1st, there is no set standard for class ratings, it’s all up to what the manufacturer wants to label it as. Some mfrs will label a 10k hitch as Class IV/V. My Class-V is rated for 15k lbs, straight up, no WD needed. My ball mount is solid steel and rated for 15k lbs and the ball is 18k. Lots of variances in hitches.

Txwpd103, check the hitch’s rated capacity listed on the attached sticker. Without a WD setup, it’s closer to a Class-3 if anything. So, why did GM go with a 2-1/2”? My guess is to imitate the Titan hitch, going for the look of strength. In reality, it should be under a Suburban, not an HD.

If all you’re going to tow is 7k lbs, then you’re good to go. If you’re going higher, a decent Class-V hitch is cheaper than adding a WD setup, and stronger still.

diesail · 11-06-2009, 05:52 AM

What always kills me is you look at the size of the ball mount and it's 1 1/8 shank on the ball but then there is this dinky little pin that holds it in the hitch. While I have heard of one failing it just always seemed small.

**Hook'em_Horns!** · 11-06-2009, 10:16 AM

The far greater stress and load factor is the downward force from the trailer’s tongue weight attached at the end of a cantilever beam, which is the frame of the truck.

The shear factor is low on the pin when just pulling a rolling load. Of course, that stress factor would greatly increase in the event of a frontal impact to the tow vehicle. But in that case, the ball mount would only slide forward to a point, and still stay attached until the receiver’s mounting bolts shear off.

In comparing the pin's diameter to the ball's 1-1/8", remember the pin's shear point is divided for the two sides of the tube. Double it's diameter and your there at the ball's shank size.