Who else tows with their bumper mount?

[jay_merrill]

Re: Who else tows with their bumper mount?

OK, let's clarify .... RaginCajun, is your ball fastened directly into a "step" in the bumper, or is it fastened into a draw bar, which is then inserted into a square tube underneath the bumper?

If it is fastened directly into the bumper, you have a bumper hitch. If there is a drawbar and square tube involved, which is the usual arrangement on an Explorer or Mountaineer, it is a receiver hitch.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Who else tows with their bumper mount?

I looked at my 99 V8 Exploder yesterday it states right on the plastic cladding next to the ball hitch plastic plug 350# tongue 3500# tow limit, luckily mine has a class 5 hidden hitch brand receiver right below that.
The bumper basically looks like most pick up truck rear step bumpers with the little place underneath to clip your chains onto.

Been a while since I been under there, I actually went to look cause I thought the Exploder was a UNI-CAN body construction like my Grand Cherokee but nope there is a true full frame under there. Looks kinda like a late model F150 4x4 with the cheesy A-arm's and torsion bar front suspension.

 

[Bard1]

Re: Who else tows with their bumper mount?

I use my bumper on my 1988 s-10. I looked at it and the stamp is 200lb tongue and 2000lb trailer, so I would think that my 14' alum. is ok?

 

[skargo]

Re: Who else tows with their bumper mount?

I use my bumper on my 1988 s-10. I looked at it and the stamp is 200lb tongue and 2000lb trailer, so I would think that my 14' alum. is ok?

I think a hitch receiver is a smart investment that doesn't cost much. On most vehicles it is dead nuts simple to install. Just my opinion of course, but I won't do it, and when I see people that do, I get away from them as soon as I can.

That being said, if you are towing within the parameters set by the manufacturer, then I doubt you could be held liable if something were to go wrong as far as a bumper failure.

 

[86RajunCajun]

Re: Who else tows with their bumper mount?

OK, let's clarify .... RaginCajun, is your ball fastened directly into a "step" in the bumper, or is it fastened into a draw bar, which is then inserted into a square tube underneath the bumper?

If it is fastened directly into the bumper, you have a bumper hitch. If there is a drawbar and square tube involved, which is the usual arrangement on an Explorer or Mountaineer, it is a receiver hitch.

No i know what a reciever hitch is brother. heres a pic to clarify what im workin with.

Also an important bit to add about what i am towing.

My boat, trailer and gear all weigh in at around 2500 lbs, but i stow all my gear in the tow vehicle, not on the boat when i tow, so the trailer weight is usually around 1950 lbs with fuel in the tank and batteries onboard. All other gear goes in the back of my truck.

Boat 1300 lbs <17 ft mastercrafter rajun cajun>
150hp Mariner outboard is 450lbs
Trailer 400 lbs.



RC

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Who else tows with their bumper mount?

So, you have a bumper hitch and its rated at 3,500/350, but you are only towing about 2,000 lbs. I would say that you are fine and you can stop worrying about all of this. Just be careful when you couple the trailer to the car and be sure not to exceed your allowable trailer angle.

BTW, the number that you should be paying attention to in terms of towing capacity is Combined GVWR (CGVWR), not GVWR.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Who else tows with their bumper mount?

I have a bumper hitch on my 1988 Porsche 924S. The only things I tow are my 1436 Jon boat and a 10' hyrdoplane. The hitch bolts to the bumper and thru the spare tire well it's a Curt class 1 rated for 1000lb / 100lb.

I think I just heard my '87 924S groan in the garage, just at the mere thought I might consider towing with it! Oh, the humanity!

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: Who else tows with their bumper mount?

I think I just heard my '87 924S groan in the garage, just at the mere thought I might consider towing with it! Oh, the humanity!

I see lots of guys towing small trailers with racing tires at the scca events. As long as I stay within the limits of the car it's no problem.

 

[Mkos1980]

Re: Who else tows with their bumper mount?

I tow the Chaparral on the Class III hitch but for my small aluminum fishing boat with an Evinrude 9.9 which has a tounge weight of about 50lbs and a total of 1000 lbs lol I use the bumper hitch on my ranger.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Who else tows with their bumper mount?

Here is what can happen...

 

[rentprop1]

Re: Who else tows with their bumper mount?

wow that goof from NY didn't even have a ball on there and it pulled off the bumper

 

[Sea18Horse]

Re: Who else tows with their bumper mount?

windsors03cobra wrote;

"Old trucks Vs. new well I love old stuff but the trucks of today and the trucks from 30 years ago are so different its like night and day and I would put my money on the new stuff, the new trucks frames are absolutely amazing compared to the old C-channel frames. And while electric shift transfer boxes suck, stock 300 hp fuel injected small blocks and overdrive transmissions do not.

I couldn't disagree with this more. The trucks of the old days were built when the manufacturers still understood what a truck was used for. I'll take my 78 Ford F-150 with its 120 hp 300 six cylinder any day. A fuel injected "small block" with 300hp is great if your interested in quarter mile times. But for hauling a load of gravel home?...........Not so much.

Cheers..................Todd

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Who else tows with their bumper mount?

The 300hp new truck would dominate the ole 79 pulling a 10,000 trailer, new half ton trucks are the equal to a 3/4 ton of yesteryear, heck the Chevy 1500HD has 8 lug axles.
Also no beef with old beater trucks here, have and do drive plenty of em.
Only wish I could afford/justify a new truck of any brand or flavor, many are very nice in addition to being stronger and more powerful that ever.
I suppose the Dana 60 in a 03 F350 isn't as strong a Dana 60 in 77 F350 with that weezy ole' 400M :redface:

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Who else tows with their bumper mount?

. The bumper consists of the standard metal bumper with 1/4" steel plate attached to the frame of the truck hidden under the fancy chrome sheet metal bumper. Under the bumper attached to the steel plate is another steel plate with the two ends bent down and holes for the safety chains. The chrome 'bumper' is drilled out larger then the base of a standard ball, thus the ball is secured to the steel plate. GM and Dodge(as demonstrated) couldn't figure this technology out, so I am guessing you are driving one or the other. Likely one of the reasons that they required bailout money when Ford was quite happy to walk away.

GM actually figured that out long ago, back when they were still making good vehicles. Our '89, '94, and '98 3/4 ton and half ton trucks/Suburbans/Tahoes are all as you speak. But, GM can't seem to keep a good thing going, hence why they needed that dang bailout money. If we are talking old trucks (pre Vortec engines), I am a die hard Chevy guy. However, for all this new crap they are putting out, I really have to say I like Fords a bit better, which absolutely pains me to say.

 

[Shizzy]

Re: Who else tows with their bumper mount?

I tow off the bumper on my Ranger. I only have a small 14' tinny so the whole works only weighs a few hundred pounds. although the ONLY reason I use the bumper is because I dont have the budget to buy a frame mounted hitch just yet. I do prefer the safe feeling of the frame hitch no matter how small the trailer is as well as the ability to adjust the ball to get the tongue at the proper height regardless of what trailer you hook on.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Who else tows with their bumper mount?

When I was much younger I once dragged a U-haul car hauler by the bumper ball of my mother's Explorer. I was transporting the shell of a 66 Mustang to the shop for paint. The car still had a motor and tranny in it so it was heavy enough all the same.

Lord knows how I got there and back without killing myself or someone else. Probably 5000 pounds plus all told hanging on that flimsy thing? Oh, to be twenty and stupid again...

 

[jash1178]

Re: Who else tows with their bumper mount?

UHaul has the best deals on towing packages and they will garantee it as long as you own the vehicle.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: Who else tows with their bumper mount?

wow that goof from NY didn't even have a ball on there and it pulled off the bumper

HAHAHA! The ball was removed to put on my brother in laws truck to get the boat home!

 

[CaptOchs]

Re: Who else tows with their bumper mount?

It's safer than this...

 

[Fl_Richard]

Re: Who else tows with their bumper mount?

I particularly likke the post that supports the tailgate complete with machined end to fit in the ball hole.

The tags from Utah! Who'd a thunk? They have big hills there!

I would have figgured a more back woodsie redneck...