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Frame differences between 02 and 03-06 for HITCH

SaiOmega

Full Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2012
Messages
15
Location
Kaon
I'm finally in the need of a better hitch for my 02 1500.
I've been looking, lurking, googling, and digging through the legacy threads here... but I cannot seem to find any solid information on whether or not there are differences between the 02 and 03 cladded Avy frames.

I am wanting to order a class 5 hitch from Curt.
They say that it will not fit the 02... but their class 4 that is for 02 and 03 will.

Logic says it fits, but before I pull that trigger can anyone weigh in with knowledge time has stolen from me?
 
I don't know of any frame differences between 2002 and 2003 frames if both are cladded versions, there might be some wiring differences in the plug area though on the 2002 since it was a unique year for electrical.
My guess from looking at the CURT website would be in the weight class of the hitches. The class five is rated at 15,000 -17,000 lb towing capacity and both GM and Curt would probably frown on installing that large of a hitch on any Av since it exceeds recommended weight for any AV. I would imagine the frame,suspension and drive-line is not made to handle such a load and some unsuspecting owner would try to hitch up to maximum load listed on the hitch....causing damage not only to the AV but possibly causing an accident, I imagine they wouldn't want to get stopped hauling an oversize load even if there was no accident. Insurance companies would also probably not pay for damage or injury if they found out the AV was overloaded too.
Curt states the class four is rated for 8,000- 12,000 lbs. and that could be closer to recommended weight limits for an AV so Curt and GM may be less nervous about selling one of those for a 1500 AV?
 
As long as it will mount with minimal changes then that is my only real concern. We are towing a boat trailer that grossed 6489 loaded with camping gear for 6 and coolers for a week last summer. I have added a house battery system, stereo, furniture, etc etc to the tritoon over the winter... I know I haven't added over a thousand pounds...but, I know I am over the real world limit for this vehicle.

This truck has had the entire suspension and powertrain rebuilt or upgraded in the last 3 years and it's time to take care of the factory hitch.

Were I to ever sell this Avalanche, which I have no intention of doing, I would remove any parts I added that weren't welded in and resale, as I keep all my OEM parts when I upgrade. Upgraded equipment only mitigates the stress of heavy loads. It doesn't remove it. I can imagine someone towing in the level of the hitch... that won't be me.

We have our boat insured, but from what I'm reading maybe I need to make an inquiry about whether they care what the load's weight was or whether they will just fault for having a hitch that is over the max weight limit.

If that is the case then logic says that I shouldn't install over a class 3 hitch so the pencil pushers don't have something to be legalistic about.

I just want to ensure that this 17-year-old battle wagon is overbuilt to pull this boat.

We've already built the 2500 to tow a 35ft bumper pull camper... so using it in this caravan to pull the boat isn't an option.
 
                      Are set on the Curt.

  Looking at Draw - Tite. they have a 2002 and the 2003 class V the same part number on the Burb.
The Avy's tow capacity is not the same as the Burb.

http://www.draw-tite.com/products/trailer-hitches/class-v-2-receiver/L3Sl4yNcOS3b0E1S6lFpC12eqdX1%7CJZ8

http://www.draw-tite.com/products/trailer-hitches/class-v-2-receiver/class-v-trailer-hitch/WfzaCtfZMf3G!LK33sUeVCRybKKneH8d

  What you will get with the class V is better frame support. If you over load That's on you.


 
 
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