Boy was I lucky this didn’t completely fail on highway! The rusted and seized bolts wouldn’t allow me to tighten completely and now the hitch anchor (if that what it’s called) has broken. Can this be replaced or does it need new welding, or something else? Thanks.

 

can you revert to the OEM removable hitch receiver?
then attach your safety chains to the recovery point?

 

Wow, that's been failing for a long time based on rust on the breaks. The way the washer look, seems like it was installed wrong. The solution would probably involve welding. Unlike the front, the rear metal bumper assembly is welded to the frame rails. In theory the welds at the frame rail can be ground enough to free up the entire assembly for replacement. Depending on what you are towing, an aftermarket Curt setup (or the like) might be easier to have welded into place. I would not trust the OEM hardware at this point.

 

Ughh I was afraid of that but sounds like the most sound direction to go. I’m towing 17’ fishing boat around during fishing season as well as 5x8 trailer for yard work. Heaviest load definitely the boat though. Thanks for the tips and will be looking for heavier duty hitch to install.

 

Here is something in Amazon warehouse that is a decent deal. Looks bolt on (I would follow with welding)

 

The chassis attachment is cast iron so not ideal to weld, looks like a dodgy home made hitch with the mounting angles all wrong so no wonder its stuffed.

 

well, good opportunity to rebuild for more durability as it came that way. The curt hitch looks like better way to go compared to this.

 

FYI, the same issue was just posted on FB by someone else.