Re: [A/S] RE: Tongue weight

["overlander_64" <overlander64@xxxxxxxxx>]

Greetings Dick!

From what I learned having a hitch platform constructed for my 
Cadillac, there is nothing illegal in creating a weld-up hitch 
receiver.  There are VERY few shops, at least in this area that are 
willing to use the weld-up packages due to the liability issues 
involved with such processes in today's society.  It took me several 
months to find a welder or hitch shop that didn't turn down vehicles 
for which there weren't bolt-up applications available - - I searched 
a three-state area and finally located a welder who didn't advertise 
just three blocks from my home who is well known among local farmers 
for creating excellent receivers from the Reese weld-up kits.

My assumption had been that factory installed hitches (like I have on 
my '99 Suburban - - a Class IV receiver) would be of the bolt-up 
variety to simplify assembly line installations.  I know that my 
mechanic has advised me that if any part of the factory hitch on my 
Suburban shows abnormal wear that it should be replaced rather than 
repaired via welding due to its design - - at 120,000 miles no 
problems have appeared so am hoping that it continues to serve the 
purpose.  The shop that does 90% of my regular maintenance on the 
Suburban also torques all of the mounting hardware for the receiver 
at each oil change and inspects it for wear and/or damage.

Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI/VAC #6359
1964 Overlander International/1999 GMC K2500 Suburban
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre/1975 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible