Need-A-Vacation

Mi

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Joined: 06/04/2011

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I know there are MANY pages concerning the GMT-800 series hitches ('99-"Early" '07 Gm trucks, suvs) failing. How many have replaced their GMT-900 hitch due to the similar design of the GMT-800 style?
The 900's are going on "6 years old" now. There are reports ("rumors") that the 900 hitches have been "Upgraded", though they still look like the 800 hitches.
So, what is your thoughts Guys & Gals? Replace with a square tube hitch, or just keep an eye on the factory hitch?
This is more for the 1500 GMT-900's, or "older" 25/3500's. I know the newer (2011 or 2012) 25/3500 trucks have a different style hitch than the 1500's.
TY!
Chris
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ktmrfs

Portland, Oregon

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Joined: 06/22/2005

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my 04 duramax hitch started to bend after a few trips with less than 800lb tongue weight and 6000lb trailer, even with WD hitch setup. Can't imagine using one with the 1200lbs or so they rated it for with WD. replaced it with a reese titan class V, haven't had any problems with it.
I sure hope GM has fixed that poor design, they've certainly had enough time.
2011 Keystone Outback 295RE
2004 14' bikehauler with full living quarters
2004.5 Silverado 4x4 CC/SB Duramax/Allison
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Mkos1980

Macedonia Ohio

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Joined: 10/17/2004

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First week I owned my 06 2500HD I replaced it with a Titan Class V
2003 Springdale 269RLLS TT
1990 Chaparral 2150SX 350 MAG
2006 Chevrolet 2500HD 6.0
1989 Pontiac Formula 350 "LSX"
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shakyjay

California

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Joined: 11/10/2006

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I still have the original on my '04 GMC and it is going strong. Know lots of folks around here using the original with some pretty heavy loads and no problems.
2007 Rockwood 8315SS
2004 GMC 2500HD Crew Cab Duramax Diesel
1999 Dodge 1500 5.9L Gas
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CND SuperCrew

SK, Canada

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Joined: 02/11/2005

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Original on my 07 Dmax, no visible problems. Will do a thorough inspection prior to towing the season...
Ron, Lori and Autumn
TV 2012 F150 loaded XLT EB SuperCrew 7700GVWR Maxtow 6.5'
TT 2008 Jayflight G2 23FB/ Equal-i-zer WD
2013 Colorado bound
2012- 4000km, 28 nights for the season 
2011- OR & CA done, 6800km in 3 weeks
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Turbo Diesel Dude

Green Mountain, NC

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Joined: 01/10/2005

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I have a 2011 HD2500 Chev with the Class V hitch. No problems and it's hell-for strong, but after spending $42.00 for a lock, I gave up armwrestling it getting the lock to lock and trying to remove the barrel key. Took it to a machine shop and had 1/8th inch cut off the shoulder to eliminate, finally, the trouble trying to get it on far enough.You would think that by now manufacturers would at least have someone able to measure correctly. It now work easily/correctly. JMHO and probably nit picking, but a gripe is still a gripe for money possibly wasted.
charles weidman
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Steveque

Central California

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Joined: 08/11/2004

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I have a 2003 Chevy Tahoe SUV (1/2 ton). I replaced the round tube thing. When I took it off, half the welds were bad. Bad in the sense they were poorly placed to capture both pieces of metal. I replaced it with a square tube hitch. Now the interesting thing. We 'lost' a bunch of movement between trailer and SUV. So, the old hitch had more flex in it than the new one.
I took the hitch to the Chevy dealer. They were somewhat surprised with the quailty of it. The service manager replaced the hitch on his truck the next day. I doubt that GM really cared about the hitch. Don't they always say we overload our trailers and tow vehicles and that is the cause of the failure?
Steve Quesenberry
Central California
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mkirsch

Rochester, NY

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Joined: 04/09/2004

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Boy we're batting 1000 here...
So far we've had:
1. One 2011 2500HD, which has a completely different hitch from what the OP is asking about.
2. One 2007 "classic" (per the picture in the signature) which is still the GMT-800 with the suspect hitch.
3. Four GMT-800 pickups.
ZERO responses so far from people with a true GMT-900 truck and the hitch in question, including mine.
Yowza.
2002 Chevy 3500 DRW 8.1L/Allison
2000 Palomino B1500
...and the reason why I need a DRW to haul a Palomino:
2004 United 7x14 tandem axle enclosed toy trailer
2011 PJ 8x20 7-ton deckover equipment trailer
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babar445

Ohio

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I just ordered a replacement reciever for my 2001 2500HD. The original reciever had no cracks or anything like that but I noticed it really flexed quite a bit. After reading all the negative posts it made me a little nervous. Last night I ordered a Draw-Tite "ultra-frame" hitch #41944 from E-Trailer. Started to order the Titan hitch but did'nt want to mess with the 2 1/2 to 2" adaptor and it has some high numbers as far as TW etc and it actually weighs slightly more than the Titan. It has a higher TW rating w/o weight distribution than it does with it. I e-mailed e-trailer to verify as I thought it had to be an error and they verified w-Draw-Tite that the numbers where correct! (first one I ever found like that)
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fly-boy

Los Angeles, CA

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Joined: 11/05/2004

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My 2008 was great- no issues and lots of miles towing.
Haven't hauled any larger bumper pulls with the new truck but the hitch looks up to the task.
(these were both 3500 dually.... trucks)
2012 GMC 3500 Denali Duramax 4x4
2009 WW HKD with a big garage 
A few toys
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