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

[steelestandn]

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

Hey rocket i ordered a hitch from curt manufacturing for my 97 2dr sport. I went with the round tube design it works and looks great. The web site is www.curtmfg.com if your interested. It ran me about 140 when it was all said and done.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

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

I DO KNOW that mine bent down after a 300 mile trip with a small tiny utility trailer that was not over loaded. Again it was a 2000 model Explorer. Its not my imagination due to the blood, sweat, and tears involved in getting the problem fixed. I WILL NEVER USE A BUMPER HITCH AGAIN>>>>>>PERIOD. It may work for awhile, but get into a case where extra stress is put on it and it is going to ruin your day. It did mine...........SS


BTW, Last fall a woman hit my wife and bent the bumper down again after my re-enforcements were made. The lady was going about 10 mph......Uh,,,,sorry,,,,but I don't have any faith in that bumper at all. I think it is considered part of the crush factor for collisions.

I've seen heavier metal on the hitches of garden tractors than what is in the bumper of an Explorer. A receiver hitch is the safe way to go if there is any doubt in your mind.

 

[jtexas]

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

just my experience:
'98 explorer sport towing about 2000 lbs boat on the bumper hitch. I had noticed a lot of explorers the bumper is slightly distended, as mine was when I bought it. At that time I could barely get two fingers between the top of the bumper and the fender, a tiny bit more space on one side than the other. I resolved to get the frame hitch when resources permitted. Four years later, I check the gap ever once in awhile......no change yet.

 

[rocket1968]

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

compared to the hitch on an old station wagon, anything is better. That was a towing experience.

 

[rocket1968]

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

Do you need to remove the spare tire?

 

[fishmen111]

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

I found it easier to remove the spare to install the receiver on my wife's '98 Explorer. IMO, this is money well spent. I understand that you can obviously tow with the factory bumper hitch, that's what it's there for. But, I have destroyed one Blazer hitch and put major bends in a Explorer step-bumper hitch while being well within weight specifications. The biggest reason for me is tongue ride heigth. I have seven receiver bars and various balls (insert joke here) to match almost any trailer. On a trailer without brakes, it is one h*llacious feeling to slam on the brakes and feel the weight coming off the rear tires because the hitch was too high or diving for being too low. Just my 2cents.

 

[Neverhome]

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

Go with the frame hitch. In some states, bumber hitches are no longer legal.
Check with you DMV if you decide to keep it. But for the few dollars a frame hitch costs, you will save thousands in repairs and legal fees if you boat breaks loose and causes damage or injury to an other party.

Neverhome

 

[BamaAlum97]

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

Can you do it with a bumper hitch? Yes. But it certainly is not your best option.

 

[ebry710]

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

The biggest issue with towing with ANY bumper hitch is towed height.

The higher the hitch, the more unstable your trailer becomes.

I've towed with Explorer and Ranger bumper hitches. Everything went fine but I realized I did not have the ultimate set up and towed (cautiously) because of it.

They tow, so much better, with a reciever style hitch set up correctly.

Spend $150.00 and gain some confidence.

I agree with DJ.

I also will add a practical side to the debate. Whether or not the bumper is strong enough or better is not the reason I don't use it. I use receivers for many reasons:

1) Although skilled at backing up my truck to my trailer, there are days where my spotter or me are not in the game. Every time your trailer hits that expensive chrome bumper or license plate on that nice Explorer it makes a nice dink. On resale or on a date your skill level will be notices.

2) A receiver is easily updated to your specific needs.

3) They are cheap (I just go to U-haul to have mine done).

 

[HoShorts]

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

I live in Tennessee, the state where everyone will do whatever it takes to spend absoultely no money if at all possible to get something done.....especially towing.....I can't even count how many times a week I see large square tubing.....I Beam, and other things welded to the back of old truck towing very heavy loads and people thinking they are safe......the simple physics of towing are that in order for the load to pull properly it needs to be level or at least very close.......just because the bumper is capable of the weight does not mean it is a safe way to tow......I seen a F350 with a piece of 6 inch I beam welded to the back of his frame and a ball welded on it just last week towing a Trac hoe that weighed probable 11,000 pounds......and again just because it is capable does not mean it is safe....any time you angle a load up it inhibits your ability to stop properly as it takes weight off the rear of your vehicle in an emergency braking situation....especially with a vehicle as short as a 2 door explorer.....towing 2200 pounds from the bumper if you get caught in the rain and granny pulls out in front of you you may just find yourself out of control a lot sooner than you might think.......check on EBAY.....hitches are everywhere.....Class 5 reese on there now for 100 and some change......
DK

 

[kyle f]

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

Somethign to add here. If you have a $10K plus boat and a $10K plus tow vehicle, why not spend a few hundred bucks to ensure proper towing?

Heck even if you have a $1500 truck and a $1500 boat, what is the big deal in spending another $250 on a tow hitch to protect $3000?

 

[Gary H NC]

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

This is almost as fun as a "whats the best oil?" thread!

I vote for the receiver style hitch. I have 3 different things i tow with different size balls.Its so much better to be able to slide the correct hitch in and put in the pin.
Jet Flea-1 7/8 ball
Boat-2 inch ball
Travel trailer 2 5/16 Ball...Takes all of 10 seconds to change it.

 

[FFScott6]

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

IMHO.. A frame mounted hitch. Keep it to the class that is specified by the truck MFG. If something happens your fault or not your insurance company will check that.

What happens when the bumper hitch takes all the force from that hidden pot hole or bump. I'm not an engineer so I can't tell you the numbers. But I can tell you it'll rock your world (from experience). A frame hitch will transfer those forces to the towing vehicle and not the bumber mounting bolts.

Sort of related... I saw an Explorer towing a 28' boat with a flying bridge. Overall it was everybit of 12' from road to canvas. Needless to say he was taking 11/2 lanes northbound on interstate 81 towards Watertown, NY. I didn't follow him long!

 

[shipoffools]

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

Just my two cents,
While some folks just aren't comfortable with a bumper hitch if you are well under the capacity of the hitch, and the rig sits level there really isn't a reason to add a reciever.

 

[kyle f]

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

Just my two cents,
While some folks just aren't comfortable with a bumper hitch if you are well under the capacity of the hitch, and the rig sits level there really isn't a reason to add a reciever.

Please refer to my above post about the cost of your boat/truck compared to that of a receiver.

 

[kenmyfam]

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

This is almost as fun as a "whats the best oil?" thread!

I vote for the receiver style hitch. I have 3 different things i tow with different size balls.Its so much better to be able to slide the correct hitch in and put in the pin.
Jet Flea-1 7/8 ball
Boat-2 inch ball
Travel trailer 2 5/16 Ball...Takes all of 10 seconds to change it.

I whole heartedly agree with this entire statement. !!!!
On another note I have been looking at a lot of bumper hitches recently and seen many beaten up and bent ones !!!! I have no idea what they were being used for, I am just saying what I have noticed since this thread started.

 

[jay_merrill]

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

If your load is within the rating of the bumper hitch, you are fine. I don't really get what all the concern is about bumper hitches because they are made of the same material (steel) as a receiver type hitch and they are bolted to the same frame members on the vehicle. Ford Motor Company is not stupid enough to put a bumper on a vehicle with a hole in it for a ball hitch, if it won't handle the load specified on it via a stamped rating. They get sued enough, TYVM!

For all of those folks who think that the great big receiver hitch that they have is invincible, you might want to consider that your entire load depends on a single pin to keep it from coming loose. The only thing separating you from a pleasant ride and the nightmare of having your boat bouncing around behind you on the chains (which will jerk your vehicle around like you wouldn't believe before they break) is that pin.

Its all about design strength and good maintenance - use it (whatever "it" may happen to be) within design limitations and keep it in good condition, and life is usually pretty simple.

 

[TilliamWe]

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

... I don't really get what all the concern is about bumper hitches because they are made of the same material (steel) as a receiver type hitch and they are bolted to the same frame members on the vehicle. ...

If you think that the steel of that bumper and a receiver hitch steel are the same you are severely mistaken. First the bumper steel is about half as thick. As far as the mounts, you are wrong Again. The bumper brackets mount to the side of the frame rail with two bolts each that are anout 1.5 inches apart, and then stick out about 4-6 inches. You understand that it makes the bumper a big lever? A receiver hitch bolts to the bottom flange of the frame with two to 3 bolts and they are spaced at least a total of 3 inches apart (more like a foot on some vehicles). No lever action there.

Just look under an Explorer without a receiver hitch and then under one with a receiver hitch, and if you can't tell which is better, then there is no hope for you.

 

[Gary H NC]

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

For all of those folks who think that the great big receiver hitch that they have is invincible, you might want to consider that your entire load depends on a single pin to keep it from coming loose. The only thing separating you from a pleasant ride and the nightmare of having your boat bouncing around behind you on the chains (which will jerk your vehicle around like you wouldn't believe before they break) is that pin.

Its all about design strength and good maintenance - use it (whatever "it" may happen to be) within design limitations and keep it in good condition, and life is usually pretty simple.

Good points Jay, I replace my pin every couple of years and always carry a spare.I don't buy any cheapo walmart parts either.Reese hitch ball and pins only.Why try to save a few bucks when i have a 6000 lb load to worry about.Even my safety chains are extra heavy duty.Looks like over kill but its safe.

 

[jay_merrill]

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

If you think that the steel of that bumper and a receiver hitch steel are the same you are severely mistaken. First the bumper steel is about half as thick. As far as the mounts, you are wrong Again. The bumper brackets mount to the side of the frame rail with two bolts each that are anout 1.5 inches apart, and then stick out about 4-6 inches. You understand that it makes the bumper a big lever? A receiver hitch bolts to the bottom flange of the frame with two to 3 bolts and they are spaced at least a total of 3 inches apart (more like a foot on some vehicles). No lever action there.

I'm completely aware of the fact that they are not the same. Its all about what a particular setup is designed to withstand - ie: load. Lighter loads place less force/stress on a componet so the fact that it may be of a lighter gauge and mounted differently is of no practical consequence. You might also consider that, by your argument, everyone who buys a receiver type hitch should purchase a Class V unit even though they may only tow a 1,700 pound boat/trailer. Obviously they wouldn't for a host of reasons, starting with the fact that a Class V won't fit on most vehicles, but hopefully you get my point.

Stay within the limits of what you are using, maintain it and drive sensibly and you should be fine.

PS: Gary, just a word on chains ... I know this seems like blasphemy but if you might want to consider chains that will break. I once had a 5,000 trailer come off of a 24' U-Haul truck. U-Haul had told me that the ball hitch was welded onto the, dare I say it, bumper hitch, so I never checked the nut/cotter key it over the course of a 3,000 mile move. As it turned out, the ball wasn't welded and there was no cotter key to prevent the nut from backing off - which is exactly what it did 100 miles from my destination. I hit a bump and the ball jumped up, and out of the bumper. During the 60 seconds or so that it took for the chains to break, I truly thought that 5,000 pound trailer was going to flip the 20,000 pound truck I was driving. It was jerking the rear end of it around like it was a Toyota. I know the law says we have to use safety chains and I have them on my rig, but after that experience, I sometimes wish they weren't required. One thing that I should mention as a mitigating circumstance though, is that U-Haul trailers with surge brakes have a third chain that yanks something in the system which set the brakes as the truck and trailer separate.

BTW, I have a sister who lives in Cornelius - you have some great lakes in your neck of the woods!