Chevy & GMC Vans

does anyone know where i can get a hitch for a safari? and are they easy to install?

Any place that sells hitches will be able to hook you up with one for your ride . auto parts stores . u haul , rv dealers or post in the buy/sell/trade section someone here might have one for you . yes they are pretty easy to install as long as you can turn a wrench .

I bought my hidden hitch from JCwhitneys. It was a great deal, nice fit, and hides behind the bumper. They may still be running the offer that if you pay with a credit card, you can select for billing to take place in 90 days.

I am although a little disappointed with the amount of slop when the ball mount is installed.

I had a long talk with their tech line, and basically found out it is within their tolerances. They make them a little oversized now because people tend to leave them in and they get stuck.

The one I bought for my vue is the same way.

Personally I think it is because they want the extra 15 bucks for am anti-rattle device. Currently I shim it with hacksaw blades, and plan to make my own anti-rattle device. But that my just be me, as I am kind of anal about rattles and things of the sort.

[quote="brianj"]

I am although a little disappointed with the amount of slop when the ball mount is installed.

quote]

The hitch on mine is the same way. My utility trailer actually cuases the hitch to bounce in there due to low tongue weight. I use a wooden door shim to tighten mine up, have to make a permanent one one of these days.

If I make one up that works out well, I'll make an extra.

Never thought of the door shim. That would work better than my hacksaw-blade-o-rama.

Be happy about having some "slop". I have to use a sledge hammer to install my pintle hitch in my 89 van, and press it out with a bottle jack, which broke this time.
My other light duty (shorter shanked) ball mount isn't nearly as bad, only requiring a few raps to remove.
It does seem like the newer hitches have a looser fit.

i just got mine thrugh JCWHITNEY with free shipping.it is made by curt manufacturing and went on pretty easy.

I also wanted to add, I got the hitch for my '99 off ebay for $70 shipped. Looks brand new, and replaces the bumper mounts, bolting in factory holes. I did have to come up two extra bolts, though.

i got mine from http://www.etrailer.com but i forget what the price was.

brianj wrote:I bought my hidden hitch from JCwhitneys. It was a great deal, nice fit, and hides behind the bumper. They may still be running the offer that if you pay with a credit card, you can select for billing to take place in 90 days.

I am although a little disappointed with the amount of slop when the ball mount is installed.

I had a long talk with their tech line, and basically found out it is within their tolerances. They make them a little oversized now because people tend to leave them in and they get stuck.

The one I bought for my vue is the same way.

Personally I think it is because they want the extra 15 bucks for am anti-rattle device. Currently I shim it with hacksaw blades, and plan to make my own anti-rattle device. But that my just be me, as I am kind of anal about rattles and things of the sort.

Well, the solution is to let the hitch stay in and rust up a bit. Kinda builds its own anti-rattle device!

On my truck, I tapped a second hole near where the pin goes in to put a bolt in to tighten up against the stinger. The bolt has a jam nut to keep it there. I only did this because my bike carrier that plugs in was alway tipping from side to side. I've never noticed any significant slop with a trailer in tow.

as I previously mentioned, I am probably just over anal about it. I notice mine to the point that if I jam the top shim (a doubled over starter shim) before the trailer is hooked up (weight on the ball) as opposed to after, I can hear it rattle.

I really need to replace the bushings in the trailer tongue (surge brakes) as i think it is just makng it move more that normal, accenting the hitch slop.

shoot me a pic of what you did, if you get a chance. Not a big deal, as I will probably only pull the boat once or twice more before the snow flies.

bri

OK, here is my solution to eliminate the slop. Now, I was just doing this to keep a bike carrier from flopping side to side. If I was doing this for actual towing, I think I'd weld the nut you see to the the hitch and add a second nut as a jamb nut. (As it sits now, the hitch is actually threaded and the nut is the jamb nut. In my opinion, the steel on the hitch doesn't offer enough thread area to combat the leverage an actual trailer would exert.)

I didn't even think of that. Good plan! I think I may try the same thing. You are probably right about the threads not being enough, but I am thinking I will try it anyways, and once it strips out, I will go ahead and weld a nut.

bri

rlsllc wrote:Be happy about having some "slop". I have to use a sledge hammer to install my pintle hitch in my 89 van, and press it out with a bottle jack, which broke this time.
My other light duty (shorter shanked) ball mount isn't nearly as bad, only requiring a few raps to remove.
It does seem like the newer hitches have a looser fit.

I know this post is old and such but there is an easier way than pressing it out. take a 10,000 lbs or so tow strap wrap it around a tree then clip both ends to the ball/hook and drive forward. Works like a charm. your mileage may vary yadda yadda so on and so forth.

I know this thread is way old, but i figured I would add this anyway. I just had to have my Hitch taken off because the ball would not come out. and that was after beaing heated with a torch. And doused with all sorts of lubes. So I am looking for a new hitch as well. I actually miss the damn thing.