Recommended Hitch for a 2011 Chevy Express 4500 School Bus

Updated 02/10/2026 | Published 01/21/2026

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 to your 2011 Chevy Express 4500 school bus, I recommend the Draw-Tite Hitch item # 41990-07 with 7" tall brackets or item # 41990-16 with 16" tall brackets. These hitches both have a 2" receiver with a 16,000 lbs towing and 1,600 lbs tongue weight capacities. The main difference is how tall the brackets are. You'll want to measure from your hitch frame down to the lowest part of your bumper to determine how long of a bracket you need.

How far below your frame does the bottom of your bumper sit?

You can add this information, along with any other questions you have, where it says Add Comment.

expert reply by: Jerred H

41990-07
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41990-16
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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.