Determining hitch rating

My '03 Chevy S10 came with a hitch already installed when I bought it 2 years ago. Haven't towed anything yet but that will be changing in the very near future so I'm trying to get all of ducks in a row now.

I know my truck can tow 5500lbs but I can't figure out what the hitch that is currently on my truck is rated for. The balls surface is rusted pretty good so nothing is legible on it, also just took a peak underneath and couldn't see any indicators. I'm really hoping it's 3500lbs as that would get the job done, anything less will be no good. Any definitive way to determine this?

For my own piece of mind I might just spend the money to get a whole new setup but avoiding extra expenses is always nice.

Does it take a 2" stinger?

freonjoe, nope and thanks for the link mechanic looks like I'm in the market for a new hitch.

Originally Posted by Mechanic688

It might have been just a lightweight boat hitch. Use the ratings of the experts and be safe with whatever your going to tow.

Absolutely. With what I will have in the bed and trailer I'll be pushing my little truck pretty good. When it comes to some things in life I have a pretty good tolerance for risk, however when it comes to having 4 tons (truck+trailer+load) hurtling down the highway I would never do something that unnecessarily puts myself or more importantly any fellow motorist at risk. I'm not going to let laziness, carelessness or cheapness be responsible for a lifetime of regret.

HeyTackle I used to have an 03 chevy s10 4 cylinder used to tow a trailor and pull about 1500-1800 lbs ended up blowing out tthe rear main seal. I don't know if it was pulling to much weight or what. But that was a nice little truck.

Yeah, I doubt that S10 is rated high enough with the stock bumper hitch. My Dodge 1500 had a tow rating of 5k with the plain ol' stock hitch/ball location, which I was quite surprised at. I still got a new hitch, just put it on today. Now if only my trailer could handle a 10k load...

How I have always determined a hitch rating is just put it on the ball if your truck pulls it then sweet it can do it. If not you are gonna be on the side of the road broke down and embarrased. Just kidding. Call a dealership maybe.

Originally Posted by happyscraper

HeyTackle I used to have an 03 chevy s10 4 cylinder used to tow a trailor and pull about 1500-1800 lbs ended up blowing out tthe rear main seal. I don't know if it was pulling to much weight or what. But that was a nice little truck.

Hey happy, mine has the 4.3L V6. In many respects I like my truck but it has caused me a few headaches. Fuel consumption is in the toilet too. I'm looking forward to being able to buy something newer and bigger, but with my current financial situation that doesn't seem to be anytime to soon.

I won't be using it to tow on a regular basis just the occasional run when I have an extra large pickup.

Count how many bolts hold it on, if its under 6 get a better one.

If the mount looks beefy and well braced/spaced out i would go with it