trailer question

[Kellyfmtx]

I got a new trailer for my 14' aluminum boat. Well the boat is light, and so is the trailer. Combined I was told the weight was not too much for my bumper to hold it, without getting a trailer hitch. So I put a ball on it, and pulled it for a short period of time. The trailer is very small, and my truck bumper is maybe a little high. Anyway the weight of the trailer weighed down on my bumper, damaging the plastic on the top of the bumper. Is there something I can do to the bumper, or trailer to keep it from riding on the bumper itself. The ball is a 1 7/8 sized...standard small trailer ball. I was wondering if I would just have to make adjustments, or if a full trailer hitch would solve the problem. Any ideas here? This is my first boat and trailer.

 

[jollymon]

Re: trailer question

How did you attach the ball to the bumber? We need a little more info before anyone can help you

 

[Kellyfmtx]

Re: trailer question

When I bought it at the trailer place, they attached it for me. They screwed it in, maybe put a shim in it, not sure about that...then they used an air wrench to tighten it up.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: trailer question

If you can't stand on your bumper and bounce up and down without it doing damage than somethings wrong, or are trucks just being built that cheap nowadys? From what I'm gathering you have a step bumper and it should easily handle a little fishing boat.

 

[Kellyfmtx]

Re: trailer question

Yes, the bumper is chrome with plastic on top, that you can step on. I can step on the bumper and bounce on it with no problems. The trailer is low however, and when it is attached to the truck...it went too far down after driving a little ways, and the weight of the trailer and boat cracked the sides of the plastic top to the bumper. You can see the indention it made. I may be able to get a new plastic piece, or I may have to replace the whole bumper. I am not sure about that yet. There were 3 holes predrilled into the bumper to allow for a trailer. It said it would take 500 pounds without damaging the bumper. The trailer and boat weigh less than five hundred pounds. I am wondering what I need to do to fix the situation, short of buying a trailer hitch. The boat weighs probably 130-150 pounds. The trailer weighs about 300-320 pounds.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: trailer question

Spring for a better hitch...get a drop hitch that attaches to your truck frame, with a removable ball and bar. You need to lower the ball a little to keep your bumper safe and to eliminate trailer wag on the highway. Should be less than $200.

 

[Kellyfmtx]

Re: trailer question

That is what I was afraid of. Thanks for your input. I was going to go ahead and get one, but my friend told me it was not necessary since the boat and trailer were so light. Now my bumper is messed up, and I still need a trailer hitch....bummer. That is life I guess. This is my first boat, and I am excited. I am 49, and have plans to fish as much as I can with my son. He is 15. He doesn't always want to fish when I do, but he thinks it is cool his mom fishes, and ties flies and stuff.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: trailer question

Ok i got ya now, I wouldn't try that again your lucky the ballstud didn't snap off.
Your going to have bolt a 1/4" steel L bracket to drop it down (improvise) or spring for a reese they're only like 135.00.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: trailer question

I feel we are getting a very poor description of the actual problem. It has nothing to do with the strength of the bumper but has everything to do with the ANGLE of the trailer tongue when attached to the truck. In other words the angle is so acute that the tongue is rubbing on the plastic cover. If that's really the issue, you have only two choices: 1) buy a bumper mounted receiver that bolts under the bumper through the two other holes you noticed in the plastic bumper cover. This is merely a "receiver" for a ball mount so you can lower the position of the ball which allows the trailer to be towed level. 2) you can install a hitch platform (some call it a receiver platform) that serves two purposes. A) works as a dead weight hitch just like the #1 solution above or B) it works as an equalizer hitch platform for very heavy loads which you do not have to deal with and is way too expensive your your needs. Here is a picture of the solution #1 (the least expensive).

http://www.drawtite-hitches.com/products/Step_Bumper_Receiver_Hitch,81378

You would also need a ball mount that slides into the receiver. They are available with various drops to meet your requirements. Park your trailer on a level parking lot and level it. Measure from the ground to the inside of the coupler. You then buy a ball mount that provides the amount of drop you need to position the ball at the measured height. Here is an example of a ball mount.

http://www.reese-hitches.com/product_categories/ball_mounts

 

[Kellyfmtx]

Re: trailer question

Thanks guys. Well yes this does look involved. I knew it wouldn't be an easy thing. LOL. Wow. Yes, the trailer seemed to have just bent the plastic in on the back, so the load was not level I guess. My truck is a Tundra, and it has a fairly high bumper, but not huge. It does require a longer shaft for the hitch ball than most, and it is a royal pain in the rear to find a ball that will fit it. You cannot just go to Wal-Mart and buy what ya need. It won't work. To make matters worse, there was no wiring done on the truck. I had to get that done, and it was splicing wires from hell. I didn't think the trailer guys were gonna figure it out for a while. It took them over an hour to wire it and have it running right. Thanks so much for your help.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: trailer question

i think he has one of those fancy bumpers not the step bumper. i have use these, installed myself, usually 30 minutes. http://www.hitchesonline.com/

 

[timdan94]

Re: trailer question

I like these ones because you have the option to use it as a 2" receiver also.

http://www.drawtite-hitches.com/products/Step_Bumper_Receiver_Hitch,81377

actually its sitting around the garage collecting dust right now. he sold the truck it was on but kept it. it worked nice.

 

[Kellyfmtx]

Re: trailer question

i think he has one of those fancy bumpers not the step bumper. i have use these, installed myself, usually 30 minutes. http://www.hitchesonline.com/

I have a 2001 Toyota Tundra. I am not mechanically inclined so I would have to get somebody to do this for me.
Ms. Kelly

 

[Kellyfmtx]

Re: trailer question

I like these ones because you have the option to use it as a 2" receiver also.

http://www.drawtite-hitches.com/products/Step_Bumper_Receiver_Hitch,81377

actually its sitting around the garage collecting dust right now. he sold the truck it was on but kept it. it worked nice.

That may work. I have a 1 7/8 hitch ball though.
Kelly

 

[timdan94]

Re: trailer question

that would bolt right to the hitch

 

[Kellyfmtx]

Re: trailer question

that would bolt right to the hitch

well I will take the ideas here, and see what can be done...whatever I get done, I sure hope it works right..this trailer has been a nightmare for some reason....

 

[NYBo]

Re: trailer question

That may work. I have a 1 7/8 hitch ball though.
Kelly

The 2" to which they are referring is the size of the square tubing on receiver ball mounts, not the size of the hitch ball. Here is a similar product, but it doesn't allow you to use a 2" receiver (which is overkill for your setup anyway):

Bumper hitch

 

[Kellyfmtx]

Re: trailer question

Thank you. I will see about this.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: trailer question

Maybe check some of the auto parts stores for what you need. I found a Reese receiver at autozone for my dodge truck it was less than $100 bucks and was very easy to install. If you can find one for your specific truck there is no drilling or anything involved. The instructions are very easy to follow basically you remove bolts that are existing and install the hitch then re tighten. Mine even came with a locking hitch pin which is nice. If you end up putting something on there you might as well go the 2" tube reciever then you have much more flexability as far as drops that will work in it, and will have the ability to haul other stuff in the future if need be.

 

[Kellyfmtx]

Re: trailer question

Thank you. So I am wondering if I need the receiver and a hitch...or just the receiver? I hate to buy more than I need, but I don't want more damage to my truck either. I think I need a drop down bar for the receiver. Maybe I misunderstood this all. I am still running this by a friend whom I see rarely. He knows a little more about this sort of thing than I do.