OK to use dakota bumper hitch

[NYGiants]

i am getting a dakota with a bumper hitch on it. are there any pros/cons of using it instead of getting frame mounted? the most i will be towing is 500lbs boat+trailer combined

 

[JB]

Re: OK to use dakota bumper hitch

Your bumper hitch is probably a class 2, 2,000lb tow or 200lb weight of tongue.

I wonder how accurate you guess on the weight of your rig is. How did you estimate that?

If your rig is really 1500lb or less you should be okay towing it off your bumper hitch.

Good luck.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: OK to use dakota bumper hitch

For 500 pounds the pro to a bumper hitch is that it will work fine and you already have it. The con is you wont tow much more than that safely in most folks opinions.

The Con to the frame mount is you do not have it and its probably $200, the pro is you can tow your vehicles towing capacity with it.

 

[Philster]

Re: OK to use dakota bumper hitch

Bumper for Dakota is 2000 trailer and 200 tongue.

I see very light loads when someone uses the bumper hitch. Most loads are heavier than you would think. If you had the load weighed at a vehicle scale, then go for it. If you're guessing: Bad idea!

 

[NYGiants]

Re: OK to use dakota bumper hitch

i guessed the weight of my rig because its so simple.
i will towing towing a 12' aluminum boat 100lbs or so with 15hp. 100lbs or so
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=5002 and 200lbsish
i have this trailer. and the other rig i would be towing is a 300lb 14' sailboat. with a little bit of a bigger trailer so i added rougly 250 lbs for it. i sold my only heavy boat so i was hoping to just get away with a bumper hitch. instead of getting a tow rig

 

[jfadool]

Re: OK to use dakota bumper hitch

I have a bumper hitch on my ranger and I move aluminum boats all the time. You will be just fine with such a small weight.

I think the major downside is the non-adjustable towing height. Just keep it in mind when you are stopping. It is not much weight to worry about anyway.

 

[roscoe]

Re: OK to use dakota bumper hitch

Sounds good to me.

Be careful with that trailer, they have a habit of loosening up if you run on gravel roads.
Make sure you check all the nuts/bolts for tightness every year.

 

[NYGiants]

Re: OK to use dakota bumper hitch

when i brought the trailer home i had to take backroads because the guy lived out in the booneys. multiple bolts vibrated off. ever since then i check every few trips

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: OK to use dakota bumper hitch

I have a bumper hitch on my ranger and I move aluminum boats all the time. You will be just fine with such a small weight.

I think the major downside is the non-adjustable towing height. Just keep it in mind when you are stopping. It is not much weight to worry about anyway.

...that and the fact that the bumper hitch sits in such a recess between the bumper steps severely limits your deflection angle, especially when backing into tight spaces (I've got tongue creases on both sides of my bumper from severe backing and turning).
I pull a 1400# Stumpnocker rig quite nicely with the bumper ball. I do have the Reese hitch below for the serious stuff.
FWIW....Ed in 'ol Virginny

 

[Socal Pat]

Re: OK to use dakota bumper hitch

Can'tspeak for the sailboat, but I have that same trailer with a 14" aluminum and I wouldn't hesitate to hook it up to a bumper hitch. BTW re: the trailer It is WELL worth your time and a few bucks to buy some nylock nuts to assemble it with. I did it after-the-fact a few here and a few there.

 

[642mx]

Re: OK to use dakota bumper hitch

Go to a salvage yard and get a frame mounted hitch for about $20.... then you don't have to worry about bending up your bumper.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: OK to use dakota bumper hitch

I replaced all the nuts on my trailer with the stainless nylon locking nuts.
So far none of them have backed off.

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: OK to use dakota bumper hitch

Go to a salvage yard and get a frame mounted hitch for about $20.... then you don't have to worry about bending up your bumper.

Generally a good idea, if you can find what you need. I did a lot of calling to get mine. I did that on my Dodge caravan and got a heavy duty frame hitch, which is a hoot, because this is the 3.0 liter version and the vehicle might be rated for 1500 pounds. Also, your $20 is about $20 or $30 low if my experience is any indication. I still had to buy the towbar and ball (and the electrical hook-up) after that. The biggest issue was getting it mounted. I am glad I paid my shade tree mechanic to do the job, because it was a real bear due to rusted bolts, etc.

TerryMSU

 

[Knightgang]

Re: OK to use dakota bumper hitch

Weight wise, you are fine. The biggest drawback that I see (as already mentioned) is the reduced turning ability because the ball is in the bumper recess. I have not towed anything on a bumper ball in 15 years for that very reason...

 

[Stachi]

Re: OK to use dakota bumper hitch

sounds like a light load to tow...if your estimates are correct... my thoughts are ,...will the trailer ride level ?...I would measure it, ... couplings are made to ride at level...
a Durango's bumper is pretty high...

 

[marlboro180]

Re: OK to use dakota bumper hitch

sounds like a light load to tow...if your estimates are correct... my thoughts are ,...will the trailer ride level ?...I would measure it, ... couplings are made to ride at level...
a Durango's bumper is pretty high...

I agree, but what year Dakota are we talking about? The early 1990s came with a pretty stout steel / chromed bumper that was fairly low....

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: OK to use dakota bumper hitch

Weight wise no issue. Turning ability mentioned is a personal choice.
My 2 cents.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: OK to use dakota bumper hitch

Year model and 2WD or 4WD make a diff on the bumper well clearance on the trailer tongue. My 93 4WD stock bumper, with ball, has quite a wide sell for the ball/hitch. I couldn't achieve a 90-degree angle, but pretty close. I also have a class 3 frame hitch under the bumper, on the frame and need to get a 5-inch drop bar so my boat trailer will ride closer to level.

 

[180Fisherman]

Re: OK to use dakota bumper hitch

It should say right on the bumper.