Stock hitch

I have the stock reciever on my 89 V3500. Is this ok to use for towing the K5? I couldn't find any markings on it, but it looks to be the stock GM one. It's pretty beffy where it attaches to the frame. Also what is the difference between this reciever and a weight distribution setup? I can get some pics if needed.

Thanks

-Brian

 

weight distribution or WD hitches have a.. well... here is a picture...

the bars push down on the trailer, pushing down on the front of the truck. the hitch is specific to design. the setup i pictured is a little more as well. it has sway control.

your hitch should be fine. it SHOULD be a class 4 hitch. a class 5 would be better, but i still say on average for full size weight it would be workable.
Grant

 

Well I was out digging around under the truck, and the hitch isn't stock. It's a custom built job from some welding company. It's welded on to the frame all the way up to the spring hangars then it has a break in it then it's welded to the frame some more in front. Looks like 5/16 or 3/8 plate all along the bottom of the frame. The only thing I don't like about how it looks is the plate is just flat plate there is no angle where it attaches to the frame. Just a single weld on the bottom of each rail from what I can see.

It sort of looks like this looking straight down the frame rails from the back

T====[ ]====T

Where the horizontal and vertical parts of the T is it's just welded.

I hope that isn't too confusing. I guess there is really no way of guessing the class of the hitch.
__________________

 

im confused... id remove it and buy a class 5 hitch. if you knew who welded it in and could get a copy of thier liscence then i would be happy if i was in the situation. the unknown can be scary....

 

There is a sticker from the welding company on the side. I guess I could try and get ahold of the PO and see what he can tell me about it. It looks really strong I am just unsure about the welding instead of bolting. I'll get some pics of the mounts.

 

Here are the pics. The RED lines are the welds. It's welded inside the mount as well. The rust is just surface it comes off pretty easy. The welds look good. Maybe I could have somebody weld some angle brackets on the top and bolt it to the bottom of the frame as well?

 

This thing would be a huge PITA to remove because of all the welding. I was thinking of just adding some brackets with bolts on the mount and on the frame. I made another picture

 

Why don't you just make your bracket use the holes already in the frame? That hitch looks pretty subtantial to me, but I agree on the "fear factor". IMHO it'd take a helluva blow to break all those welds at once, I'd be more suspicious of the receiver box itself into that angle on the back. Can't really tell how well that part is supported from above from teh pictures.

 

Yeah I will prolly try and make my bracket/brackets to use the stock holes. I just made the drawings to explain what I was describing. The actual reciever looks very stout as well. Thanks for all the advice. I'll update when I make some brackets.

 

IMHO, it looks fine. It is probably even stronger than stock , which is more than adequit for a K5 on a trailer. The PO probably was pulling something heavy and wanted something a little stouter welded to the frame and had that done, but I'm not there and can't see it in person.

I wouldn't sweat it, your K5 on a trailer isn't that heavy. You mentioned having someone make you some brackets or what not, I could do anything you need done, I have the equipment and know how.