What did you do to that seemly thin 2" receiver tube at it's end along with the main cross member square tube. You might have reinforced where the hitch is attached to the TV, but done nothing or even weakened the actual receiver as originally manufactured and installed on the TV. Also, it seems they have actually cut out a portion of the main receiver side to side square tube for the 7 pin connector and I wonder how that effected the receiver. Also, you statement that you reinforced your receiver IMHO is not correct ... your just attached what was there maybe or maybe not more securely and left the weakest link that was there before still there. You seem to thing it was the attachment was the weak link and that is one big assumption based on what I'm seeing and comparing it to my measly 10K/1K OEM Ford receiver.
The Weak link in this design is incorporating the receiver to be a part of the "Rear Crumple Zone". The steel on the Factory Receiver is the same gauge as a "1500 lb rated receiver", what gave it a Lower TW rating was integrating it into the frame as part of the Crumple Zone. I never said I increased the rating.......I stated I reinforced it......note the correct verb age. I do not assume, I research, examine, and then make an educated decision...I do not Assume.......I leave that for the challenged.
LarryJM wrote: or something like "fools runs in where ..." They run in the engineering and new product design teams and or departments at GM, I know of some other places they run........ YEP you got that receiver well attached to the TV frame, but I don't see where you have done anything to actually increase the towing capacity of the actual receiver that was there to begin with.
You are correct..never stated I increased the Tow Rating...
Larry
Ironically, I saw your Trailer Mods link, some good ideas, some not so..............but regardless, I see you could not get everything you wanted.....so you had to modify to correct and or make better.......SO i believe you know where I am coming from.........
Have a great day.......and get out camping....some of the best camping weather this time of year
clarkely wrote: But you know as well as I do that I increased the strength and weight bearing capacity......
I don't know that....it certainly looks stronger, but the weak link may not necessarily be the crumple zone, it could also be the pin box.
I hope it works out for you. Here's a real receiver:
Did you pick up the new TT yet? We're actually headed down to your neck of the woods this weekend, staying at Christmas Pines CG in Pottsville, halfway between the Yuengling brewery and Cabela's.
Have a great weekend....That is a nice area!!! There is a KOA Twin Grove that is west of there, off of Rte. 81 about 10-15 miles north of Rte 78.
Town of Pine Grove on Rte 443, We really like that place Clean & Friendly. Little kiddie rides for the kids....Inexpensive Ice Cream Store (open to public as well), and a Diner(open to public as well)If you need to use it.
Anyhow have a great weekend......I do not get my New TT until the 24th of October.
On my 14k rated Hidden Hitch, I actually did an assessment with a PE, and we determined the weight constraint on that particular receiver was the main cross tube. Receiver opening tube and hanger arms were more than adequate (as was my frame). My concern was my high tongue weight (up to 3200 pounds) but even stock it would be able to handle more than rated, but we determined the rated 14,000 pull rating was marginal, especially on rough terrain. Regardless, the upgrade addressed both issues
So, I went from a 3/16" sidewall thickness to a 7/16" sidewall thickness by augmenting the tube with another tube . This allowed for zero heat applied to the structural section of the original receiver, while increasing its strength dramatically.
Fortunately I had the opportunity to crash test the upgraded receiver (60 mph into a barrier with 18,000 lb. trailer in tow). It was pretty much unscathed. Unfortunately the van and the trailer happened to be attached at the time, and therefore also crash tested. Trailer frame failed the crash test miserably.
Note: my constraint was the cross tube. That is not likely the case for other receivers. So my method for upgrading may do nothing for a different receiver.
Bryan
2000 Ford E350 DRW Wagon (14-pass all captains chairs)
V10 w/ Banks PowerPack, Diablo Predator, 4.56 LS, 230,000+ miles
Had: Weekend Warrior 41' FSW (still looking for its replacement)
What did you do to that seemly thin 2" receiver tube at it's end along with the main cross member square tube. You might have reinforced where the hitch is attached to the TV, but done nothing or even weakened the actual receiver as originally manufactured and installed on the TV. Also, it seems they have actually cut out a portion of the main receiver side to side square tube for the 7 pin connector and I wonder how that effected the receiver. Also, you statement that you reinforced your receiver IMHO is not correct ... your just attached what was there maybe or maybe not more securely and left the weakest link that was there before still there. You seem to thing it was the attachment was the weak link and that is one big assumption based on what I'm seeing and comparing it to my measly 10K/1K OEM Ford receiver.
The Weak link in this design is incorporating the receiver to be a part of the "Rear Crumple Zone". The steel on the Factory Receiver is the same gauge as a "1500 lb rated receiver", what gave it a Lower TW rating was integrating it into the frame as part of the Crumple Zone. I never said I increased the rating.......I stated I reinforced it......note the correct verb age. I do not assume, I research, examine, and then make an educated decision...I do not Assume.......I leave that for the challenged.
LarryJM wrote: or something like "fools runs in where ..."
They run in the engineering and new product design teams and or departments at GM, I know of some other places they run........ YEP you got that receiver well attached to the TV frame, but I don't see where you have done anything to actually increase the towing capacity of the actual receiver that was there to begin with.
You are correct..never stated I increased the Tow Rating...
Larry
Well increasing the tow ratings was the whole purpose in all this and I guess you forgot or simply ignored the very sage advice you got in your previous thread especially on THIS PAGE where you said concerning your current TV receiver ...
If i reinforce it .....It will have a "Common Sense Rating"....which will be far superior to the rating that some pencil pusher came up with and slapped on......since we all talk about real world weights....we should also talk about real world ratings.....I ma quite confident my self or An excellent local Machine shop would be able to reinforce it and double its rating.
and
Regardless of whether i upgrade the TT..I am upgrading the Receiver....or re enforcing it.
and then when you discovered you could not upgrade your current receiver (i.e. higher ratings/capacity) you said
Putnam got back...they made a mistake they do not make it...they appologized so i thought i would post it and give Kudo's to whomever posted it.
I Will reinforce it myself regardless of whether i get a heavier TT.....i want something stronger for what I have now.
I will reinforce it so it doesn't break....period end of sentence
Then you got excited again, because you thought you had found a replacment receiver that had better towing capacity ratings, especially TW when you posted
Apparently GM does make one.......my accessorie guy emailed me.....
" After searching in the factory Chevy parts they do offer a 2.5" recvr (Class 5) It has a tongue weight of 1000#/1500# WD and a carrying capacity of 7500#/13000# WD, we will have to get a sleeve to size it doen to 2" "
Good news!!! WIth my Propride on what i have now i have to be right around 1000lbs
Only to have to post
Gotta give kudos where kudos are due....now don't get big heads......
GM nor anyone else has a receiver that will fit......they got "the supposed fit" receiver in..... After my telling them i do not believe it will fit....they wanted to bring it over and check it out to the truck before they scheduled the work to be done.......and IT DOESN"T FIT.
There is a Local Shop that custom fabricates receivers for the Sprinters they sell........
That's the next Stop!! With the additional weight of The ProPride i am close.....regardless of taking it to the scales.....if i am that close i want something heavier.
and
Let me add my 2004 1500 suburban has a 1500 lb rated receiver.....
I buy a bigger truck that can pull more .....but is supposed to have less tongue weight?????
Let us remember./...these are the same Genius's that come up with the ratings of what a vehicle can or cannot do.
The looking at the two pics of failed receivers posted by Golden_HVAC and the areas where they failed, I see nothing in your mods that address those areas. IMHO he also made some excellent points about welding, etc. ...
In any event IMHO you still have a hitch with a 1,000 lb TW rated receiver and with your 200lb Pro-Pride WD wt. and a TT with a 865 dry TW I think you will seriously be overloading your current receiver rating for TW by as much as 50%.
You have gotten some of the best advice by people that have actually been where you are and not one has said they would do what you have/will be doing.
I'm still shaking my head that you actually found a welding shop that was willing do that kind of welding on your receiver ... did you have to sign any waivers of liability?
clarkely wrote: Ironically, I saw your Trailer Mods link, some good ideas, some not so..............but regardless, I see you could not get everything you wanted.....so you had to modify to correct and or make better.......SO i believe you know where I am coming from.........
Have a great day.......and get out camping....some of the best camping weather this time of year
Nice try, but if you consider what I've done to be in the same league as your receiver mods then there in lies the problem in our apparent faliure to communicate or put items in their proper prospective. Also, none of my trailer mods have the potential consequences of propelling my 7,000lb+ trailer into some poor family when my receiver fails because I have grossly overload it and/or unintentionally weakened it by welding and been advised even on a forum like this of these potential problems/issues.
BTW I leave in less than a week for a 2,000 mile 45+ day camping excursion something we often do.
Larry
2001 standard box 7.3L E-350 PSD Van with 4.10 rear and 2007 Holiday Rambler Aluma-Lite 8306S Been RV'ing since 1974. TRAILER MODS
Larry.....easy.....i am telling you you shouldn't go it may be dangerous....I hope you don't go now....you have been advised it may be dangerous....Come on be real!!
If i could put an aftermarket hitch on i would....That has been asked an answered.....NO ONE MAKES ONE....
FYI the things you have added could fly off and kill someone.....
I had valued your opinion.....but i believe you are starting to sound a little ridiculous!!!
Sorry it had to be said.
Have a good weekend Camping. In all seriousness have a safe Trip.....
I know i will on my 4000 mile 12 day trip in December....FYI
dusterpylet wrote: Here is a positive for you and your labor, it looks just like what my friend did his his 1500 suburban about 2 months ago, and he tows a 26 foot toyhauler loaded with quads, not a problem at all, no cracks, stress marks in the paint or anything, nice job im sure you will be happy with it.
Does that new suburban 2500 come with the 6 speed auto, or is it the 4 speed, thanks.
mike
Mike, It has the 6 speed. Thanks for your positive comment!!!
Larry, it was not done to increase tow capacity, it was done to reinforce an underated poor gm design. I bought a truck capable of pulling 10000 lbs., put gave me a hitch integrated receiver rated at 1000 lbs. If i am going to safely tow to my "towing capacity" then i would need to be running a tongue weight in excess of 10000 lbs, as you should run 12-15% tongue weight.
It was done to safely tow not increase capacity.
Ya know yer Truck is only rated for 7500lbs Towing
The HItch is rated for 10,000lbs but the 2500 6.0 3:73 4x is rated @ 7,500lbs.
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