Right size trailer for a L3240

[Diamondpilot]

STU, just upgrade your factory hitch. I run Reese 2.5" units on my 3 powerstrokes after breaking the factory one on my 2004 F-250. I had also bent quite a few draw bars but never had a ball fail. The hitch is called the Reese Titan and they are rated for 15,000# with no weight distribution. It is amazing how much stronger the 2.5" unit is over the standard 2" units. The main problem is finding balls and draw bars. You usually have to order them to match the weight capacity of the hitch. Good RV dealers keep them in stock around here.

Ford now puts 2.5" units on the F-350 from the factory and I believe Gm is following Fords lead.

Chris

 

[Builder]

STU, just upgrade your factory hitch. I run Reese 2.5" units on my 3 powerstrokes after breaking the factory one on my 2004 F-250. I had also bent quite a few draw bars but never had a ball fail. The hitch is called the Reese Titan and they are rated for 15,000# with no weight distribution. It is amazing how much stronger the 2.5" unit is over the standard 2" units. The main problem is finding balls and draw bars. You usually have to order them to match the weight capacity of the hitch. Good RV dealers keep them in stock around here.

Ford now puts 2.5" units on the F-350 from the factory and I believe Gm is following Fords lead.

Chris

I had Reese Titan 2.5" hitches, too. I switched up to Putnam hitches. The side by side comparison is revealing, the Putnam is considerably thicker & stronger than my Titan V was.

Check out Putnam here: Putnam

 

[john_bud]

Thanks JB!

I thought about getting another bumper pull but thought for the amount of weight I want to haul that a bumper pull would need a wd hitch, and I felt a goose would probably put the weight over the axle..... always tradeoff's of some kind.

What size cutter do you have? I will be getting a 6' cutter and hope that the tractor, loader, and 6' cutter can all sit on a 20' deck. If some of the cutter hang over the dovetail section then I may have to reconsider the fold-over ramps.

Stu

I think you're right. But you can get a WD hitch for less than the icreased cost of a 12k goose over a 10k BP. The goose will pull and behave better than the BP and be easier to back up.

The cutter is a Woods BrushBull 600. It's pretty long compared to the light duty KK 5' for instance.

I don't like the fold up ramps as they are an added wind drag. Just me. Some don't like playing with the slide outs.

jb

 

[RollTideRam]

I like the fold up ramps. I can see them and know where my trailer is when backing it up empty. JC

 

[Diamondpilot]

I had Reese Titan 2.5" hitches, too. I switched up to Putnam hitches. The side by side comparison is revealing, the Putnam is considerably thicker & stronger than my Titan V was.

Check out Putnam here: Putnam

I have seen them and they look like good hitches. The one problem I was having was finding hitch balls with the same rating in th 2" bar applications. In the 2.5" applications the shank on the ball was bigger giving it equal or higher tow ratings across the board. Maybe I was just not looking in the right place.

Just curious why you changed? I broke mine on my 2004 F-250 and had bent the one on my 7.3L F-250. The factory hitches left much to be desired. From what I have seen on the GM trucks they look to be the weak point also. Never really cared how the factory hitch hangs off the bumper. Whats with that? I know the new F-350's come with a 2.5" hitch and have heard the GM's are following.

Chris

 

[Builder]

I have seen them and they look like good hitches. The one problem I was having was finding hitch balls with the same rating in th 2" bar applications. In the 2.5" applications the shank on the ball was bigger giving it equal or higher tow ratings across the board. Maybe I was just not looking in the right place.

Just curious why you changed? I broke mine on my 2004 F-250 and had bent the one on my 7.3L F-250. The factory hitches left much to be desired. From what I have seen on the GM trucks they look to be the weak point also. Never really cared how the factory hitch hangs off the bumper. Whats with that? I know the new F-350's come with a 2.5" hitch and have heard the GM's are following.

Chris

I found great on-line stores with Putnam 15K rated draw bars, ball hitches, everything I needed. One thing I hated about my Titans is the draw bar would always freeze-up in the receiver tube if I left it in there for a couple months. I just found the Putnams to be better quality with a much nicer finish. Titans were peeled paint & rust after 2-3 years.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have not had any problem with paint peeling and I always take the bar out after using. I get tired of sticking it through the garage wall or banging my shins. I know what you mean about the paint peeling, I have seen many Reese Hitches peel but I have had good luck with mine. I will look at the Putnam for my future needs.

Chris

 

[digicamnut]

Can someone show me how much I can haul with my suburban. I'm gonna have my nephew build me one a 20 footer bumper pull. Have a pic

 

[MrJimi]

Can someone show me how much I can haul with my suburban. I'm gonna have my nephew build me one a 20 footer bumper pull. Have a pic

The towing rating should be in your owners manual and be careful if 4 doors, 4 WD etc and auto or standard shift, they all make a difference

 

[Diamondpilot]

Can someone show me how much I can haul with my suburban. I'm gonna have my nephew build me one a 20 footer bumper pull. Have a pic

Called my buddy who has a 2003 Yukon XL, same truck as the Suburban. He looked in his book for me and said if its a 5.3L it has a max of 8,100# if its 4 wheel drive and 8,400# if its 2 wheel drive. These are the max ratings. If you have lots of options it will take away from the tow rating. One thing he is to be careful of is the hitch itself. Make sure you observe the limits of it.

Chris