GMC Transit trailer hitch

[JohnEd]

Guys,

I guess I am a little premature on this question cause I don't have all the data on the bus.  Here's the deal:  A friend of mine that owns a matal fab and hitch installation business called.  A potential customer came in and asked to have a 10,000 pound traiiler capacity hitch fabricated and installed on a GM Transit.  He said he told him the bus would probably not have the capacity to handle it but would get back after checking.  This is "him checking".

What I do know:  GM Transit

Don't now yet:  Year, model, engine.

What other info do I need to get good advice?

Thanks,

John

[TomC]

In my opinion (I have a transit also)- any hitch will be attached to the engine cradle.  While it is possible to reinforce the cradle so the majority of fore and aft force is transmitted to the main frame of the bus, the weight of the trailer hitch might be a problem.  With a 10,000lb trailer, you should have 10% or 1,000lb on the hitch-which I wouldn't do with the engine cradle.  I pull my 3750lb car on all fours behind my bus and is about all I feel confident in doing.  The other weak point is the V730 transmission.  If I remember right, the overall gvw of the transmission is around 40,000lb.  With 4.1 ratio, and pulling a 10,000lb trailer, you might fine yourself in a position that the bus won't start on a steep hill-the V730 is a 3 spd transmission.  Picture a 4 speed starting in second all the time.  Good Luck, TomC

[RJ]

John -

Ask your friend to get the VIN for the GMC bus, and then we can give him a more intelligent answer.

In the meantime, I suggest the customer needs to consider a Tuff-Tow unit if he's planning on pulling a trailer that heavy behind his bus.  Here's a link to the website, click on the "Visit Tuff-Tow" near the bottom right:

http://www.shogunindustries.com

FWIW & HTH. . .