1989 Suburban 2500 Frame Strength Question

[Brady Veldt]

So I have a 1989 Suburban 2500. I understand that it isn't the greatest offroad vehicle but I do some very mild wheeling, just whatever the stock height and 32" tires will allow. But since it has such a bad departure angle I put a hitch on the back to be kind of a "pre bumper" because of how often I smacked the ass of the truck into the ground. Figured it'd prevent any dents or anything to my bumper, and so far has been fine. But my question is am I pushing the limits of my frame or my hitch? Ive dug the hitch into the ground a couple times pretty good and it hasn't done any damage...yet. Lemme know what you guys think or if you've ever damaged a truck this way before.

 

[dyeager535]

Totally have to guess, but I suspect if anything, the hitch would bend first, if anything at all happens. Frame is tied to the body, the hitch mount doesn't have a whole lot of leverage against the frame in a completely vertical plane of impact, the hitch should tie the two frame rails together moderately well, and there is already another crossmember back there to help keep the frame rails together, so I don't see "normal" impacts causing a particular issue.

I see the long legs that tie the hitch mounts on the frame to the tube of the mount below the bumper as the weak spot. I see those bending fairly easily if the impact is anything other than straight up or down. But I don't recall anyone ever talking about bending hitches before, either. I've hit the one on my K5 a few times, no issues thus far.

 

[nutt7]

I've dug mine into the dirt a time or two. As @dyeager535 guessed, I have a slight deformation of where the hitch leg mount meets the frame on one side. Not enough to skew anything though. The frame is fine...and mine is a 1500. Yours is a tad thicker. I entertained the idea of slider tubes running along the sides of the fuel tank when I build a bumper. That big bottom drags on everything!

 

[Blue85]

Cover the skid plate and bottom of bumper with these:

 

[Big Ray]

I smack my hitch every time I go to the supermarket. no problems so far.