OK to date, has anyone contacted GMC on this hitch package problem??? Is there a problem?? If so what has their response been?? Do they say it is safe??? What do they advise you to do??? How many problems with this hitch package has been draw to their attention?? Is there REALLY a safety problem across the board?? I have talked to GMC on Hitch Reciever Pkg. Kit #12498497, and they have told me no problem exists. If there is a problem they said we meaning YOU need to contact them and draw it to there attention NOW as I have done. So tell them about the problem NOW and maybe they will know about it. My vehicle seems OK but who am I. Soooooo start calling GMC IF there is a problem NOW. And let se what happens. IMHO. Schepp
I am a Camp Host and a Ranger Boat Patrol Deck Hand {April till October) at Bidwell Canyon State Park at Lake Oroville California with: 2003 Yukon XL, 8.1L Vortex, 2500, 3.73, 4WD, Progidgy, Draw-Tite Weight Dist. w/ Dual Cam Sway, Power Extending Heated Towing Directional Mirrors. // 2003 Artic Fox 22H Travel Trailer, Electric Tongue Jack, and RVQ. // 2000 Chaparral 180SSe open bow boat with trolling motor for fishing, and water sking. //See Ya on the road soon I hope, or up at the lake. Feel free to e mail: schepp4@hotmail.com Schepp.
While I'm sure it is good practice to bring these concerns to GM's attention, I suspect little more than blank stares and denials in response. Unfair to assume, I know, but sometimes it's just easier to switch than fight.
Tell them IF there is a problem NOW. Rather than telling the rest of us by MAYBE there is a problem using scare tactics and SWITCHING. Stand up and be counted and fight for your rights IF there REALLY is a problem. David did beat Golaith remember, don't be walked upon by these giants. Comsumers have strength if there is REALLY is a cause. I stuck my neck out, and at least I tried rather than wine about it. How about you NOW? IMHO Schepp.
I will be watching your post closely to see who chimes in with some facts on their experience. I have an 03, 2500 burb and I'm watching the hitch. Even last weekend I went out and crawled all over it looking for weld cracks or flexes. So far I have not found any.
I did read up on the forum on this and found a bunch of stuff on this along with pic's of the entire hitch pulled off the guys burb. Did not make me fell comfy at all.
My hitch says 12,000 lb rated load distributing on the sticker. My TT is 7,000 MGVW. So I thought I was covered. However I'm still leery and still watching it because of all the concern posted.
I must admit I truly liked the older body style hitches better. I had a 98 and it had the 3 in. sq tube hitch. The new body style with the bumper brace and the gusset plates just does not look normal.
If GM did a Finite Element Analysis (Design stress fatigue program) on this for the full load rating with safety factor, it should work. However being in machinery deign myself, I know there are always conditions that exist that do not always get factored in. All the calculations in the world are only as good as the assumptions put in it.
The folks who have had issues, don’t know the back ground. Are they running 10,000 lb TT or what type of hitch they used.
As far as GM’s response, it’s true the manufacture may not know all the problems that their products encounter. All the car makers are in the business of liability for their designs and it costs them big bucks when they make a mistake. I think they have had the new style hitch since 2000 or 2001. It just doesn’t make business sense to put on a part that will cause them legal liability still in 05 and 06. While I’m faithful to GM products, I do truly hope they did their home work because I do not want my TT ripping off under tow, now I’m the one in the legal seat being sued.
We need facts and input here to help us. What TT weight, what WD hitch was used and circumstance it failed under? OR did they see cracks coming and it didn’t fail yet. This type of data helps a manufacture find the assumptions that may be wrong in their equations.
I really hope others on the forum who have had issue will respond to your post with details. Before I go out and replace my hitch, yeh it’s only another $200 ish, but it might not be the hitch as it is the conditions the GM one failed under. Or GM just did not put enough safety factor in the design.
Good topic for GM owners.
John & Cindy
2005 Ford F350 Super Duty, 4x4; 6.8L V10 with 4.10
CC, SB, Lariat & FX4 package
21,000 GCWR, 11,000 GVWR
Ford Tow Command
1,700# Reese HP hitch & HP Dual Cam
2 1/2" Towbeast Receiver
2004 Sunline Solaris T310SR
(I wish we where camping!)
Thanks, I just hope people stand up be counted and DO SOMETHING with the people than count like GMC. Pursue the issue rather than maybe scare others. Give GMC the facts and then you can say you stood up and were counted. Rather than switch, and run from these guys and maybe scare others in the process. State YOUR FACTS to GMC now. IMHO Schepp.
Schepp4, I commend you for your personal initiative in communicating with GMC. That being said, I have seen the pictures of failed hitches. I have read the posts about them on this and other forums. I have talked with the owner of a local hitch installation shop, ..."replaced more than a hundered of them." I have talked with a local Chevy dealer, ..."don't know of any problems with them." I have closely examined the hitch on my tow vehicle. Industrial quality control, manufacturing process improvement, and class action initiatives are not on my agenda. I am not trying to scare anybody. I am not saying there is a problem with all of the hitches. I am not saying there is not a problem with all of the hitches. I am not telling you or anyone else what to do. However, after considering the data I collected and the tongue weight of my toy hauler, I did order a new hitch for my tow vehicle.
2003 Silverado 2500HD LT EC SB DA FWD
2005 Desert Fox 21SW
Prodigy Putnam Equal-i-zer
Again call GMC the part is called "Hitch Pkg. part number 12498497" Remember, also hitch installers are in the business to install as many hitches as possible to make $ just like GMC who I have some issues with also like: piston slap. But that's another story for later. Lets all just deal with this with GMC. So, IF you feel you know more than they do on this subject than their engineers and testing dept. CALL THEM NOW. Otherwise, you are preaching to the choir, not walking the talk and scaring others. Sometimes known as bait and switch hitches maybe. IMHO Schepp.
Sorry things happen, so again state THE FACTS, and all particulars, EVEN PICTURES to GMC. Talk to them to SEE IF you are correct. Don't assume anything. They design the Hitches and they do have some pretty good engineers and testing systems. I think of it this way "IF" YOU ARE RIGHT you will have not scared others, but helped out the rest of us, and future buyers as well. Let me know WHEN you have called them, and what transpired. WALK THE TALK WITH YOUR PICTURES and facts IF you really have them. IMHO. Schepp.
* This post was
edited 02/11/05 10:38pm by schepp4 *
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