Hitch with Large Towing Capacity

Eric H · Post by **Eric H** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 5:24 pm

I'm looking for a hitch for my S10. I need one that will allow me to take advantage of the full 5,500 lb towing capacity from time to time.

I've looked at Valley Industries and Reese. Both appear to only have a 3500lb capacity.

Can anyone suggest a hitch?

Thanks

Post by **HenryJ** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 6:09 pm

The Valley receiver will go 6000 trailer weight and 600 tongue weight used with a weight distributing hitch.

a2b · Post by **a2b** » Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:45 pm

just look up in the yellow pages for a hitch place. go there and tell them you want a class 3 reciever hitch with ball mount and ball for 5k lbs or more. they will hook you up.

2kwik4u · Post by **2kwik4u** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 3:02 am

I've had ~5,200lbs on the back of mine, and it did just fine. I certainly don't think GM would put one back there that wasn't intended to be used for the entire capacity of the truck.

BTW, I don't think I'll ever tow that much again with this truck without a weight distributing hitch. It did OK, but not great by any stretch.

Eric H · Post by **Eric H** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 5:22 am

2kwik4u wrote:I've had ~5,200lbs on the back of mine, and it did just fine. I certainly don't think GM would put one back there that wasn't intended to be used for the entire capacity of the truck.

BTW, I don't think I'll ever tow that much again with this truck without a weight distributing hitch. It did OK, but not great by any stretch.

Do you have a hitch receive from a dealer? I believe they install the Valley hitch which is rated for 3500 lbs / 300 lb tounge weight with out a weight distributing system.

-Eric H

2kwik4u · Post by **2kwik4u** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 5:59 am

A WDH does not change the tongue weight. It redistributes it through the vehicle, however that same amount is still focused through the hitch mount points.

The hitch was on the truck when I bought it, and the previous owner said it came from the dealership he purchased it at that way. i can crawl under and look for a decal/sticker/stamp on it if you like.

In the end, the entire weight of the tongue, as well as the pulling/pushing/lifting/lowering forces of the trailer will all be focused THROUGH the mounting locations. If they all mount to the frame in the same manner, then they all have the same strength. Now other factors can change the ratings (like material selection, contruction, welding techniques, etc). However all Class 3 hitchs will have a 5,000lb GTW (Gross Trailer Weight) rating. If not they aren't class 3 IMO.

killian96ss · Post by **killian96ss** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 8:47 am

I still have a GM hitch for sale in the classifieds that has been raised 1.5" for use on an S10 with a 2" Body lift.

Steve

Eric H · Post by **Eric H** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 12:56 pm

killian96ss wrote:I still have a GM hitch for sale in the classifieds that has been raised 1.5" for use on an S10 with a 2" Body lift.

Steve

Box that thing up and tell me the shipping costs to 55369... consider it sold.

You can also reach me at eric.hassler (at) gmail.com

Eric H · Post by **Eric H** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 4:49 pm

Thanks for the hitch, Steve! I appreciate how quickly you got it shipped out.

I bolted it up to my truck today. I didn't realize how straight-forward the installation would be.. I only had to drill one hole in the frame rails a little larger.

Thanks again!
-Eric H

killian96ss · Post by **killian96ss** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 6:17 pm

Eric H wrote:Thanks for the hitch, Steve! I appreciate how quickly you got it shipped out.

Steve

S-10CREWCAB.NET

Hitch with Large Towing Capacity

Hitch with Large Towing Capacity

Thanks, Steve!

Re: Thanks, Steve!