Recommended Hitch for a 2011 Chevy Express 4500 School Bus
Updated 02/10/2026 | Published 01/21/2026
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Question:
Hello i have a 2011 Chevy Express 4500 school bus. Looking for a trailer hitch that would fit it. Frame rails go all the way back to the bumper. Looks like a regular express hitch would work but not positive. Thank you for any help!
asked by: Brandon C
Expert Reply:
Hey Brandon, thanks for the information. The custom fit hitches like the Curt item # C15800 you were looking at don't fit the 4500 models of the Chevy Express. You'll need to install a universal hitch.
To add a hitch and trailer wiring harness to your 2011 Chevy Express 4500 school bus, I recommend the Curt Hitch item # C47CR, the 4-Way Upgraded Heavy Duty ModuLite item # # C59496, and the Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller item # ETBC7. Your bus was built on the 4500 cutaway chassis so there's no custom fit hitch for it. Those chassis don't have the trailer wiring connectors for plug in options either.
The Curt item # C47CR universal hitch includes brackets that weld directly to your Chevy's frame. The 2" receiver has a 16,000 lbs towing capacity and a maximum tongue weight of 1,600 lbs. It works with frames up to 44" wide so it'll be perfect for your E-350 chassis. The brackets will give you a 9" drop from your bus's frame.
The 4-Way Upgraded Heavy Duty ModuLite item # # C59496 will connect to the tail light circuits on your bus and provide the lighting signals for the trailer connector. This will add a 4-way connection only.
To add a 7-Way, you will also need the Universal Installation Kit for Trailer Brake Controller item # ETBC7. The 4-way connector will plug directly into it. You'll then run the 12v wire to the battery, the white to a suitable ground, the blue wire to the back of your brake controller, and the yellow wire to your bus's reverse circuit. The 12v wire and the brake controller wire are each 25' long. If you need longer runs, you'll want to grab a few extra feet of the 10 Gauge Wire item # 10-1-1.
What kind of trailer are you planning on pulling behind your bus?
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Product Page this Question was Asked From
Curt Class 5 Universal Weld-on Hitch w/ Brackets - 2" Receiver - 44" Wide
- Heavy Duty Receiver Hitch
- Weld-On
- 18 - 44 Inch Wide
- 1600 lbs TW
- 16000 lbs GTW
- Class V
- 2 Inch Hitch
- 9 Inch Drop
- CURT
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on Heavy Duty Receiver Hitch
Jerred H.
2/10/2026
Hey Brandon, were you able to measure the distance from your frame to the bottom of the bumper on your Chevy Express 4500? That detail should help narrow down whether the shorter or taller Draw-Tite hitch is the better fit. Once you have that measurement, I can help confirm the right option.