Not all heros wear capes .

[fastfredracing]

Some wear work boots, and greasy t shirts .
I am replacing a rear bumper for a guy . He is leaving this weekend , pulling his new travel trailer . He just retired yesterday . I hope I can get a new hitch in time, I am also leaving for the beach Friday night . I will fight out all the rusty bolts today , so that the hitch install will go smooth as apple butter for him , in case I am not around .
You could not see any of this rust damage with the bumper installed .
His camper is 8500#. I have seen a few of these fail .2011 gmc. Everything turns to dust here . Truck was undercoated.
No, I am not saying I am a hero, just glad when I catch things like this, and prevent bad things from happening .

[Bugsinrugs]

Wow…if you don’t catch that his retirement wouldn’t start off well.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Good catch.

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

Everything turns to dust here . Truck was undercoated.

My kids both have 2000ish Land Rover Discovery 2's. One came from Texas and one came from DC/Rhode Island. The difference in the frame and undercarriage is unbelievable. The Texas truck is pristine like a time capsule (if only the POs had taken care of the rest of it). The Yankee truck has already had a rear 1/4 frame repair and as part of that it no longer has a hitch receiver and honestly could use some more help.

[Zeke]

That being the factory hitch, I hope he chooses an upgrade. Lot of mud and debris must have lived there for a long while. Along with your salt.

[fastfredracing]

The factory hitches are pretty sub par. Very thin metal , and double the cost . Any Rees, Curt, draw tite etc... is an upgrade here .
I have seen several of these fail , even on the heavier 3/4 ton- 1 ton trucks. I have never seen an aftermarket hitch fail.

[pete3799]

Good catch Fred.

[wdfifteen]

Good catch! Have fun at the beach. OBX again?

[911 Rod]

Scary s#it right there!

[rfuerst911sc]

The OEM tube style hitches leave a lot to be desired in the strength department . I will take a Reese or Curt any day . Glad you found that before someone's life was on the line . I have seen a few travel trailers pass their tow vehicles on the highway ........... it never ends well.

[pwd72s]

Disaster averted...good job!

Now I have something more to worry about when passing a trailer being towed.

[drcoastline]

I'd say you are a superhero. Maybe not for this, but a good mechanic keeps people safe and a live. Proper installation on brakes, Mounting and balancing of wheels and tires. Superman may be able to stop a speeding bullet but you et speeding vehicles to stop and if my daughter is the one in front of that vehicle? Well that akes you a hero to me.

Good Job.

[vash]

super hero would have done that for free

you my friend are even better: an honorable mechanic. i am 90% sure my wife's mechanic told her that the oil level was super low so they could bilk her for oil-change money (i was out of town). i dont think her subaru burns oil. i have been checking like on OCD fiend and there is no movement at the dipstick.

they also said one of her power steering hoses was allowing "air suckage". huh? is it leaking yes or no? again, no leak that i can tell. air sucking?! we told them to not touch that one.

[KFC911]

Enjoy your visit to paradise Fred.... well deserved !

[rockfan4]

You scared me into checking my 2010 Silverado.
Lots of rust, but I can't feel a hole there yet. It's just a matter of time.
If I keep the truck I guess I'm looking at another hitch.
I want a newer, smaller truck. But I don't know that I need another truck.
I sold the car, and I still don't drive the truck all that much, maybe 2 or 3 times a week. Still, I have that vehicle buying bug.

[Por_sha911]

Good catch
and
HUMBLE BRAG

[cabmandone]

Daaaaaaaaaang... that could have ended badly for the owner and someone else on the highway. I don't get why they powder coat hitches. I took one off my son's Rav that was only about 5 years old. The thing was all sorts of rusted (thankfully not like the one pictured). Problem with powder coat is that you don't know the rust is there till the coating falls off. This stuff they're putting on the roads should be made illegal.

Oh yeah... and... enjoy the OBX!!

[Baz]

[speeder]

Wow, I've seen rusty receiver hitches but that is really extreme. I still cannot believe that citizens allow their state and local governments to put that stuff on the roads. It does the same damage to bridges, sewer drains, anything metal.

I've read the cost explanations about lives saved, reduction in number of people maimed/killed, etc. but there has to be a better way.

[A930Rocket]

Well, the good news is the spare tire looks brand new!

Good catch, Fred.