The factory receiver hitches on GMT800 trucks/SUVs are a known weak point. Rust, flex, and poor load distribution commonly lead to hitch failure and in some cases frame damage. I’m sure we have all seen the photos online of bent frames and bumpers due to towing gone wrong on a GMT800! If you tow regularly or plan to keep the truck long-term, upgrading the hitch is preventative maintenance — not just an upgrade.
Factory GMT800 hitches rely heavily on limited mounting points and thin structure behind the rear tire. Draw-Tite upgraded hitches correct this design flaw so you can tow safer and not end up dropping a trailer!
I pulled the factory hitch off and set it beside the Draw-Tite 45515 for comparison. The difference is not small. The 45515 is roughly twice the size of the OEM unit in both structure and material thickness.
The factory hitch is lighter duty with thinner cross-tube construction and smaller mounting sections. The Draw-Tite uses a much larger square crossmember, heavier side plates, and overall stronger welds. Everything about it is built for higher load handling and reduced flex under towing.
Recommended Replacement Options
Draw-Tite 45515 — Class V (2-1/2” Receiver)
Heavy-duty option recommended for serious towing and long-term durability. Does require a 2.5” to 2” sleeve for most hitches. This is a “set and forget it hitch” if you want to ensure your GMT800 Suburban or Avalanche 2500 has many more years of towing ahead of it.
Specifications
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Rated up to 12,000 lbs Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
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1,200 lbs Tongue Weight (TW)
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Weight Distribution rated to 14,000 lbs WD
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1,700 lbs Weight Distribution Tongue Weight (WDTW)
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2-1/2” square receiver opening
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Larger safety chain loops
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Reinforced pin holes
Best suited for:
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Heavy trailers
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Toy haulers
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Commercial use
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Owners wanting maximum towing ratings
Draw-Tite 41930 — Class IV (2” Receiver)
Strong upgrade while retaining standard 2” accessory compatibility.
Specifications
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Rated up to 10,000 lbs Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
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1,000 lbs Tongue Weight (TW)
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Weight Distribution rated to 12,000 lbs WD
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1,200 lbs Weight Distribution Tongue Weight (WDTW)
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2” square receiver opening
Best suited for:
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Daily towing
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Utility trailers
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Boats and campers
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Maintaining common 2” hitch ecosystem
Structural Improvements
Both hitches add:
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Two additional frame support brackets
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Wider load distribution across frame rails
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Increased towing stability
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Reduced stress concentration vs OEM
Installation requires drilling two additional holes per side into the frame to mount the added supports. This is intentional and dramatically increases structural strength.
If you are considering this upgrade for your GMT800 Suburban or Avalanche 2500, definitely give it a thought if you regularly tow over 8,000 pounds.
The removal of the factory hitch is fairly easy. Plan on washing the undercarriage a few days prior to give yourself a clean working area. WD40 or penetrating oil can help the factory hardware come loose as well. I used a 20V Dewalt Impact for removal and installation of the new hitch.
The Draw Tite hitch is fairly heavy, and to be honest it would have been helpful to have a second hand to lift it up and into place. I made do by myself, on a creeper with ratchet straps and C-clamps to hold it in place. I found getting the factory bolts in fairly easy, but I did have to use the ratchet straps to get the hitch exactly square to the frame prior to drilling the new holes for the front mounts.
Once it is all bolted up and torqued - it’s ALMOST good to go! You’ll notice that the new hitch does NOT have provisions for a 7 way on it. I chose to purchase a weld-on 7-Way and pigtail, and welded the bracket to the bottom of the hitch.
CURT Manufacturing Part # 55774The other option would be to get a bumper-mounted version, and mount via drilling/holesawing the bumper out, but each to their own. I did not want to drill a hole in the bumper and found the weld-on version worked good.
Happy towing!
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