GMC 2500 Sierra Gas requirements for towing

[jo79RI]

Hello All.  I will be towing with a 2020 GMC Sierra 2500 Gas truck.  What do I need to purchase for a ball when I drive down to Tennesee?  Also, is the Anderson hitch worth ordering for this TV?  I have seen various posts for balls and ones that can be lowered, so I am not sure which to order.  Seems to me as if the truck and Oliver Elite Ii are both about 23 inches at the towing connection?

[bhncb]

31 minutes ago, jo79RI said:

What do I need to purchase for a ball when I drive down to Tennesee?  Also, is the Anderson hitch worth ordering for this TV? 

One of these and no.

https://www.bwtrailerhitches.com/product/tow-stow-adjustable-ball-mount

I should add that, based on your connection height, you'll only need the Small Adjustment model.

Edited July 28, 2020 by bhncb

[Landrover]

49 minutes ago, bhncb said:

One of these and no.

https://www.bwtrailerhitches.com/product/tow-stow-adjustable-ball-mount

I should add that, based on your connection height, you'll only need the Small Adjustment model.

I agree excellent hitch.

[John E Davies]

The only reason you need an adjustable mount is if you plan to use it on multiple trailers. A simple fixed ball mount and a regular ball are fine. I prefer an extended (extra long) shank so I can stack hardened Grade 8 flat washers under the ball as needed to fine tune the height. The fancy hitches are expensive and beautiful, but more prone to theft and harder to store away when not plugged into your receiver. 

You need to base your mount choice on the distance to the top of the receiver when the truck is heavily laden, as if for a long road trip, not when it is sitting empty in your garage.

John Davies

Spokane WA

Edited July 28, 2020 by John E Davies

[BackofBeyond]

17 minutes ago, John E Davies said:

The only reason you need an adjustable mount is if you plan to use it on multiple trailers. A simple fixed ball mount and a regular ball are fine. I prefer an extended (extra long) shank so I can stack hardened Grade 8 flat washers under the ball as needed to fine tune the height. The fancy hitches are expensive and beautiful, but more prone to theft and harder to store away when not plugged into your receiver. 

You need to base your mount choice on the distance to the top of the receiver when the truck is heavily laden, as if for a long road trip, not when it is sitting empty in your garage.

John Davies

Spokane WA

Spot on.  I use a fixed mount. Works great.

 

[BlueHighways]

I have the stow and tow and like it! But, as mentioned, I tow (Well, I WILL tow) 3 different trailers with 3 different heights. So, the hitch comes in handy.  Works great! However, I will say the long hitch has bottomed out several times. 

[ScubaRx]

We have 4 different trailers that can be pulled by either of our two trucks. Three have 2 inch couplers and the Oliver has a 2-5/16 inch bulldog. The receiver on our 2500 (as on yours) is a 2-1/2" shank. You do not want to use a sleeve to reduce it to 2 inches. Buy your hitch accordingly. We bought this one. We need the adjustability for our different trailers. But I would have bought it anyway because it's pretty. 😄

[jo79RI]

On 7/28/2020 at 11:41 PM, DCdude said:

I have the stow and tow and like it! But, as mentioned, I tow (Well, I WILL tow) 3 different trailers with 3 different heights. So, the hitch comes in handy.  Works great! However, I will say the long hitch has bottomed out several times. 

 

On 7/28/2020 at 1:32 PM, Landrover said:

I agree excellent hitch.

The 2.5 hitch only comes with the medium adjustment.  Would that be the one to get?

 

[jo79RI]

On 7/28/2020 at 1:32 PM, Landrover said:

I agree excellent hitch.

From what I understand, one would order the 2.5 inch hitch, medium, with the 2-2 5/16 inch ball?

[John E Davies]

3 hours ago, jo79RI said:

From what I understand, one would order the 2.5 inch hitch, medium, with the 2-2 5/16 inch ball?

Ollies come with a 2 “ coupler, you can have that changed to the larger size at delivery if you pay for it. Which I recommend doing.
 

John Davies

Spokane WA

[bhncb]

5 hours ago, jo79RI said:

 

The 2.5 hitch only comes with the medium adjustment.  Would that be the one to get?

 

Consider tailgate interference with the hitch if the rack has to be used in the rise position. Not knowing exactly what the distance is from the top of your receiver opening to the ground, I'm guessing you're going to need a drop or rise near mid-range. I.e. You may need to use either the highest drop (0"), or lowest rise (+1"), rack position to achieve an optimum ball height.

[John E Davies]

Do these B & M hitches rattle when not towing or with a really light tongue weight? How much slop do they have in the adjustment mechanism? I can’t tolerate a clattering hitch.

Thanks.

John Davies

Spokane WA

Edited August 6, 2020 by John E Davies

[BlueHighways]

Nary a rattle from mine.  Very tight and well made.