Boxing rear of frame around hitch... *Pics of the fix on post 38*

[Avery4jc]

This should probably be in the tow-rig section but it doesn't get much traffic so let's see what we can figure out here...

I bent my hitch/frame this weekend for the 3rd time and it actually cracked the hitch at some point too. It bent originally on a trip to Pismo so I pulled the hitch off, straightened the frame (was only bent about an 1/8") and bolted everything back on with some 1/8" plate to help disperse the load on the frame...
Then I bent it again and that time I straightened it back out, added the plate back in AND added some straps that tied the bottom of the hitch to the top of the frame...

Well obviously it's time for a more drastic approach so I gutted it all this afternoon and I'm looking for some pictures of trucks that have a boxed frame in the back (or other bracing). I'm trying to figure out the best way to do it and bolt a new hitch up.

As you can see the frame stayed pretty straight this time (last time the lower lip was bent pretty good) but the hitch took the brunt of the load instead... I bet it was because I had the straps connecting the side of the hitch to the top of the frame.
Here's some pics of the carnage...

 

[chevysmithz71]

Are you buying a complete new hitch or just building off this one??
How about instead of bolting to the bottom of the frame you try running a long 1/4" plate inside the frame and come down to the hitch. Completly rework the hitch.

 

[kgblazerfive]

Why are you bending, breaking your hitch ?

 

[yellowK20]

what class rating is your current hitch?? that doesn't look like the one on my K3500 mine goes further up the frame and seems quite a bit thicker material for its construction


BTW avery thats a very nice crew cab

 

[Avery4jc]

Are you buying a complete new hitch or just building off this one??
How about instead of bolting to the bottom of the frame you try running a long 1/4" plate inside the frame and come down to the hitch. Completly rework the hitch.

No way... I'm done messing with this hitch and now that it's cracked it's going in the scrap pile.
I was looking at how I made the bumper/hitch on my k10 and was thinking that would work but that's only because it was a custom application. I think because this is just your average every day run of the mill truck I can just buy a good quality hitch instead of making one.

Why are you bending, breaking your hitch ?

One time was with this...

This weekend it was with this...

I think it was damaged in the past and straightened up so when I bought it I had no idea that it was messed up. Plus now that it has bent a couple of times it's getting weaker each time so it's taking less and less to cause more damage.

what class rating is your current hitch?? that doesn't look like the one on my K3500 mine goes further up the frame and seems quite a bit thicker material for its construction


BTW avery thats a very nice crew cab

That's what I started thinking this evening. I've been shopping for a new hitch and the one that's on there now looks like the class 2-3's. According to the charts I've been reading it looks like I should be at a class 4 or borderline class 5 for what I tow.

So besides the obvious... a new hitch. What do you guys think about boxing the frame since it's been bent a couple of times now?

 

[yellowK20]

well it surely couldn't hurt anything, but probably not necessary

 

[kgblazerfive]

Not sure I would worry about boxing the frame go get a class 5 and you should be good, they aren't cheap either. However you can't have one that is too strong

 

[yellowK20]

i will say this: if your gonna pull lots of weight like that you should consider gooseneck/fifth wheel

 

[Avery4jc]

i will say this: if your gonna pull lots of weight like that you should consider gooseneck/fifth wheel

That would be nice but I don't have the money or storage for my own trailer right now but luckily I always end up finding someone that lets me borrow one when we go on trips... that or I just drive the k10 if it's semi-local.


So you guys think because the class 5's reach further back onto the frame it should keep the front lower lip from bending again even though it's already been weakened?

 

[George_Pimpdaddy]

it would be silly to box the frame then go out and buy the proper class 4 or 5 hitch and not be able to bolt it up. Seriously looks like its time to upgrade the hitch.

 

[Avery4jc]

it would be silly to box the frame then go out and buy the proper class 4 or 5 hitch and not be able to bolt it up. Seriously looks like its time to upgrade the hitch.

That's basically the answer I'm after in this thread. I know at this point I need to upgrade the hitch but I was wondering if the damage I've done to the lip of the frame will be an issue. I didn't want to put a band-aid (new hitch) on the problem and hope it worked out.

 

[yellowK20]

I think you'll be fine

if your worried get a piece of 1/2 plate and weld it to the side of the hitch and drill holes to blot it to the frame to reinforce the lip ( take some of the weight of the bottom and transfer it to the sides


Avery your pretty sharp bolt up a new class 5 and then sit back and ask yourself where it needs to be beefed up

 

[George_Pimpdaddy]

well as long as your frame isn't really damage like showing cracks or anything then its probably gonna be okay.

 

[Avery4jc]

Ok, I'll go class 5 hitch shopping online tonight.

 

[86454K30]

Just my two cents but, I have a 98 K3500 RB LB. The hitch mounts to the frame like yours and it also mounts to the rear bumper brackets...one bolt on each side. It looks like you have a body lift and the rear bumper was raised. If it was raised and the two bolts weren't reinstalled(which I don't think the body lift bumper brackets have this provision) it would cause more load to be put on the remaining bolts. This would for sure bend the back part of the frame.

 

[Avery4jc]

Just my two cents but, I have a 98 K3500 RB LB. The hitch mounts to the frame like yours and it also mounts to the rear bumper brackets...one bolt on each side. It looks like you have a body lift and the rear bumper was raised. If it was raised and the two bolts weren't reinstalled(which I don't think the body lift bumper brackets have this provision) it would cause more load to be put on the remaining bolts. This would for sure bend the back part of the frame.

I noticed that on the newer body style (the one after the '88-98) the hitch bolts to the rear bumper but I didn't think it did on the '88-'98's. My sister has a 2000 C2500 (it's a "left-over" truck like mine, it's an '00 but looks like an '88-'98) and her hitch doesn't bolt the the bumper.
Sure seems like it would help though.

 

[86454K30]

Ya, yours is the same bodystyle as mine. I am almost sure it has a bolt that goes to the bumper brace on each side.

 

[4X4HIGH]

I would do a class V hitch and then run some plate from the hitch up the side of the frame and bolt it together. Another thing is to make sure you don't overload the tongue of the trailer which may have contributed to this failure.

 

[Avery4jc]

I never thought hitch shopping would be so involved.

What do you guys think about this hitch?

http://hitchsales.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=41901

It's rated at 1k/10k without the weight distribution setup and 1,300/13k with weight distribution and it's still a 2" receiver.
The Class 5's look like they're a 2.5" receiver but this one looks like it should do the job.

Ok dumb question of the night. They are all pictured with the lips facing inward. Are these designed to slip on the outside of the frame-rails and bolt to the top of the frame?

 

[Avery4jc]

I guess I'll answer my own dumb question. I just saw a couple pictures and it looks like they're designed to bolt below the frame and not sit on the lip like my old one. Seems like that wouldn't be as strong but heck what do I know, I just break 'em.