Explorer Bumper Hitch - Should I use this or add a frame hitch?

[rocket1968]

I have a 2200 lb 1974 Bonanza (has anyone ever heard of this boat company?) with a 165 merc i/o. I am using an explorer 2wd with the bumper hitch. No problems yet, but I notice a number of explorers with larger hitches. Am I taking a major risk by using this trailing method?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Explorer Bumper Hitch - Should I use this or add a frame hitch?

Am I taking a major risk by using this trailing method?

Ayuh,..... I believe you Are..........

I think if you look closely on the bumper, near the hitch,....
It seems to me, I read the warning printed there that the Max. capacity of that hitch is something like 1500lbs......

 

[donnymac]

Re: Explorer Bumper Hitch - Should I use this or add a frame hitch?

Frame mounted is almost always better. Especially with that kind of weight.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Explorer Bumper Hitch - Should I use this or add a frame hitch?

I agree with Bondo, The receiver type hitches are not that expensive and can handle way more weight and stress than the bumper can.I have seen bumpers fold under before.The receiver hitches also allow you to get the correct drop in height so the trailer tows level.

 

[rndn]

Re: Explorer Bumper Hitch - Should I use this or add a frame hitch?

Frame mounted is the only choice.

 

[mikeneal]

Re: Explorer Bumper Hitch - Should I use this or add a frame hitch?

Add me to the list of people that recommends a frame mounted, they are cheap and better. (hard to get that combo in this hobby )

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Explorer Bumper Hitch - Should I use this or add a frame hitch?

Get a frame mounted hitch

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Explorer Bumper Hitch - Should I use this or add a frame hitch?

Most of the frame mounted hitches are pretty easy to install.Usually no drilling is needed.I have had to take a couple bumpers off,mount the hitch then re-install the bumper.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Explorer Bumper Hitch - Should I use this or add a frame hitch?

frame mount, hiddenhitch.com i installed mine in 20 minutes. explorers are easy. get wiring harness also.

 

[arboldt]

Re: Explorer Bumper Hitch - Should I use this or add a frame hitch?

If you Google trailer hitches, you'll get dozens of places to shop. When I got mine a year ago, etrailer.com carries several brands, and was by far the best price; shipping ws $1 if I remember right.

 

[rocket1968]

Re: Explorer Bumper Hitch - Should I use this or add a frame hitch?

Thanks for all the advice, I will add that to my list of projects. ANy recomendations of good/inexpensive hitches?

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Explorer Bumper Hitch - Should I use this or add a frame hitch?

You are fine. My explorer bumper weight capacity was 3500 lbs. You only needed to add a class IV hitch for weight exceeding this. Unless the sport has a lower bumper capacity than a four door, you are fine -- which I doubt. I would only change to a frame mounted one if you need to get an extender to change the height of the trailer. Look for imprinted writing on the bumper that tells the towing capacities of the bumper -- if my memory serves me correctly, it says max pounds and tongue weight, and is stamped in on the same piece of metal that the tow ball goes into.

Why add 60+ lbs of steel to the back of your explorer if you don't need to?

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Explorer Bumper Hitch - Should I use this or add a frame hitch?

And isn't the bumper attached to the frame anyway?

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Explorer Bumper Hitch - Should I use this or add a frame hitch?

Yes, the bumper is attached to the frame by some brackets that are about 4 to 5 inches long that puts a lot of stress on them. Oh, and those are the same brackets that kinked to 90 degrees when the front end of my Cavalier hit the rear bumper of an Explorer. That bumper ended up pointing directly at the front of my car. And I had a cracked (not destroyed) grill, a cut in my plastic bumper cover, and two lens cracked on my inner turn signals. I wouldn't trust an Explorer bumper as far as I could throw it. Glad it works for you slickwilly, but no thanks here.

 

[dave11]

Re: Explorer Bumper Hitch - Should I use this or add a frame hitch?

As I recall the 1974 Bronco was a pretty decent sized vehicle. I had a 1974 Ford F250 4X4 with a step bumper. The truck had 10 ply 16 inch split rim tires and the rear bumper would support the truck with 4000 pounds (domed over front to rear) of decomposed granite in the bed. You may or may not be OK. Go down to your Ford dealer and ask. There may also be a rating stamped into the bumper near the hitch area.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Explorer Bumper Hitch - Should I use this or add a frame hitch?

Worked for me -- drove that Explorer to 220K miles. Its dead and buried now.

Check the bumper and see what it says.

I wonder what an under the bumper hitch would look like too if you drove your cavalier into it. Its a totally different impact and the bending after collision has nothing to do with towing.

Rangers and Explorers have towed thousands of loads with the bumper. The Ford Engineers know the limitations better than us!

 

[njlarry]

Re: Explorer Bumper Hitch - Should I use this or add a frame hitch?

what year is the explorer? most have at least a 3500 lb rating, adding a larger recviever under the smaller factory hitch take it up to 5500/7500 with a 6/8 cyl engine.

 

[Ezrider_92356]

Re: Explorer Bumper Hitch - Should I use this or add a frame hitch?

the capacity should be stamped on the bumper neer the ball, but i still recomend a recever for towing. you can get a hitch rated for more than your vehical could ever tow for about $120 at an autoparts store. then you never have to worrie, and thats one place you dont want to be worried. then you can swich traler ball size with ease and hight

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Explorer Bumper Hitch - Should I use this or add a frame hitch?

My wife has a 2000 Explorer. I used the bumper/ball to tow a small utility trailer with about 800#. Total weight I estimate 1500 with the trailer. Took a 300 mile trip(90% interstate) with it. When I got home the bumper looked to be bent downward by about 2". I loosened the mounting bolts and used a jack to raise it back up and tightened the bolts. Lowered the jack and the bumper went back down an inch this time. No doubt that the flemsiey brackets are bent. I pulled the bumper/brackets off, cut and straightened them back and welded extra metal to beef them up. It probably is stronger now, but I still wouldn't use the bumper again.

That is the last time I used it to tow with. If I would need it to tow with, I would invest in a receiver style hitch no doubt. Don't trust that bumper if it is on a 2000 model. It said 1500/300 on the plastic plug that the ball goes into.(300being tongue) . When I loaded the trailer, I used a bathroom scale and had 150# tongue weight. It had the power to pull it, but don't trust that bumper unless your going to use it for a very small trailer with light loads.

Design flaw? Bad engineering? Don't know, but our Explores bumper bent down is what I do know.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Explorer Bumper Hitch - Should I use this or add a frame hitch?

I wonder what an under the bumper hitch would look like too if you drove your cavalier into it. Its a totally different impact and the bending after collision has nothing to do with towing.

A receiver hitch wouldn't even had a scratch, and the front end of my Cavalier would have been destroyed!
And if you think towing a trailer doesn't exert similiar forces on the ball that a collision does, you are sadly mistaken.

BTW, I said I was glad it worked for you, but since you want to get snippy, I'll whip mine out an measure it and it's bigger than yours. I am an auto damage appraiser and have been inspecting wrecked vehicles for 9 years. I know what bumper brackets look like, and they are a joke on most vehicles. It may work just fine for you and even for rocket, but it just doesn't seem like a good idea, when the alternative is so easy and costs under $200.
That's my opinion, and I am sticking to it. Peace out.