I saw somewhere a retro fit brackets for the trailer hitch fix when it cracks. I think they bolted to the rear end of the frame rail and to the hitch. Anyone have a link to that picture of the brackets.

I need to weld up my cracks and add or weld extension brackets so my hitch wont crack again.

Rick

 

Not sure if it is still in effect but there was a recall on the hitches for this problem. Took mine in and it was cracked and they replaced the complete hitch and aded the brackets free of charge. That made me feel good finding those cracks expecially since I had just pulled my dump trailer weighing about 12,000 pounds three days prior.

 

CLICK HERE for some information on the hitch recall.

 

What do you pull? You might want to just upgrade to a Class V receiver and be done with it. A Putnam can be had cheap, and has a lifetime warranty if you don't drill or weld on it.

Chris

 

That recall was hell. Drilling those holes was a major pain. At least the MAC man kept me in a fresh supply of 1/2" drill bits.

Call a dealer with your VIN # handy and see if your truck is covered. If so, you get a new hitch. I never saw a cracked one, but installed more of those brackets than I care to think about.

 

FWIW, those brackets were only ever installed on a hitch that was NOT cracked.....if the hitch is cracked, it is replaced under the recall with an updated hitch that does not require those brackets. If you are not under the recall, replace the hitch - don't add re-enforcement brackets.

 

The Dealer said my hitch was replaced but it looks just like the original hitch and has no brackets either. Dealer said I could bring it in for inspection and they might redue the recall but they would probably just weld up the cracks , Service manager said.

I will just fix it my self or get a heaver hitch rather than going through the big hasle of going to the Dealer.

 

Like was said before, go class 5. Putnams are good and can be had at a reasonable price.

 

I have a almost new factory hitch off of my 02 I'll give to someone if they will pick it up in Oregon .