Trailer Hitch OK????

[roweac]

New to the forum, owned a SR for 7+ years now. 1997 185 BR and just traded up to a 2003 220 BR have not picked it up yet. I pulled the 185 with my 2007 Chevy Avalanche with no issue ever. I am wondering if I will be ok with my same hitch....etc or should I invest in a weight distributing. I have the factory hitch wich the the III/IV depending on if you use weight bearing or weight distrubuting. The guys at the boat dealership say I will be fine, but the hitch and and draw pin and the ball all say 5K and I think the boat is 4K Dry. The engine has plenty of power 5.3L Vortec, and has a transmission cooler etc. The vehicle tow rating is 7500lb. So I know the truck can handle it, Im just not sure about that hitch.

Anyone else pulling something similar?
Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[dutchman 8063]

I tow a 83 srv225 cuddy on a 2 axle trailer with a 08 escalade ext with the same factory hitch, have had no problem.

 

[ch435]

If the boat is 4K dry, then with a trailer, fuel and gear you will probably be real close to 5K. Do you really want to test the limits of the hitch? If it were me, I'd be upgrading. Your hitch package is only as good as the weakest link, so even if you use weight distributing, you said your ball is only good to 5K. I'd just go right for the class 5 myself, and get a ball and pin to match.

 

[CoralReefer]

I pulled my 250DA with my 2005 Tahoe Z71 with factory hitch. I think it's rated for 6000lb's. No problems. I think you're fine. But, if you're towing long distance, I go for "overkill" and upgrade. Better safe than sorry. However, if you're just towing from the house a few miles to launch, I'd say you're ok.

 

[tdappleman]

I'd say you are fine with the factory hitch, but would upgrade the drawbar, ball and the pin if they are only rated at 5k.

 

[roweac]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the advice. I have spoken with a lot of people about this and this is what I found out. All three of the Chevy Dealerships I spoke to told me I would be fine. The boat dealer told me I would be fine. There are plenty of examples of people with nearly identical rigs out there and they all say they are fine. The local hitch guys warn me that I would not be fine. To make matters worse there is no aftermarket bolt on class IV or V hitch for my 07 Avalanche. So I have to have a weld on one put on.

So this is what Ive decided to do. Given the math I did, I would likely be between 5500 and 6500 lbs at any given time. So since I am more of a better safe than sorry guy I am going to have a class IV hitch added to the vehicle and be done with it. If I only towed locally I might not, but we pull that to Dale Hollow TN three to fives times a year and some of the roads in and around that lake push the limits of the definition of road. The last thing I want to for something to happen and to lose my boat or have my insurance carrier deny a claim, or even worse someone get hurt.

Thanks again for the answers I apreciate it, and I look forward to participating in the forum. I absolutley loved my 4.3L 97 SR BR185, and everyone I speak with about the 220 says I will love that one even more.

Thanks again.

 

[Prater]

Good decision in my books. You always want to be rated for more than what you are pulling. The insurance companies will tear you a new one if you do have an accident and are under rated on any of the tow parts.

 

[CV-23]

Weight distributing hitches are not needed on boat trailers unless they are setup wrong. Boat engines balance the load very well. 10-15% of total boat/trailer weight should be on the hitch. 500lbs hitch weight for a 5,000lb boat is normal. My friend did tow his 260 with a Tahoe with a WD hitch and I was not very comfortable with the setup. You really need a 3/4 ton to tow over 3 ton or more to be safe, Mike.

 

[wish2fish]

Did the 185 have a single or dual axle? You might need a new ball mount so the trailer tows level!

 

[roweac]

Update, I got the weld on class 4 hitch and upgraded the drawbar and ball to 10K and 8K respectively. (BTW Tractor Supply sells this stuff at more reasonable prices than most others + plus it was hard to find these at other retailers). My truck pulls everything without a problem, and it sits nice and level. Best of all I do not have to worry when Im cruizing down I75 at 60 or 70 MPH. To answer the last question, the 185 was single axle and the 220 is tandem, I actually had to add a couple inches of rise which I did with the new drawbar.

Thanks again.

 

[IvyMike]

Glad to hear you are upgrading. I have towed about 4500-5000 lbs to either Dale Hollow or Lake Cumberland each year. The roads near the lake are awful. I crested a slight hill only to find the road dropping at a 15% grade with a near 90 degree turn at the bottom. I had just upgraded the hitch and ball for the trip. I think the smaller diameter ball thread would have sheared off given the combined braking and turning forces.

 

[roweac]

Yeah I actually had a close call down there on a dip in the road one time where the pin that holds the drawbar in the hitch somehow sheared. Scariest thing that has happened to me. Thankfully nothing too serious and my chains held. Had an extra pin. But yes, I feel much better knowing I have 10K drawbar, an 8 K ball, and a custom welded Class IV hitch keeping all that under control back there. Hey IvyMike, where is Lake Monroe? I am always looking for new and nice places to take this thing.

Thanks