As I'm learning more about hitches etc., this has become a bit of a confusing area. According to my manual, the step bumper type hitch is a class III with some ridiculously high capacity. Likewise, according to my manual a bumper hitch limits trailer weight to 2000 LBS.

First question is why the bumper hitch gets two different ratings. Second question is why almost every truck I see on the road has both a bumper hitch and a receiver hitch. It just seems that if the bumper type is so limited, it makes no sense to shell out the cash for this option only to spend even more adding a receiver hitch? What's the deal here?

Cheers,
John Freeman
1990 F-150 I-6 161,000 miles (55k on rebuilt engine)

 

hello there. the reason you see many trucks with a reciever hitch bolted under what seems like a perfectly good bumper hitch has two explinations. First, in many states, bumper hitches are illegal and second, reciever hitches are much stronger providing up to 7 tons of towing capacity. trailer hitches are rated in four categories: class 1 includes bumper hitches and passenger car recievers designed for weight carrying loads up to 2000 pounds. Class 2 are 1" box reciever types designed for larger passenger cars, mini vans, compact pickups and small suvs and usually can handle 3500 pounds. the most popular is the class three reciever type with a capacity ranging from 5000 pounds weight carrying to 10,000 pounds with the propper weight distributing hitch and is designed for large suvs and full size pickups. The largest is, yep you guessed it, class 4 reciever type holding the largest capacity of over 10,000 pounds and is recommended only for full size 3/4 and 1 ton pickups.
The important thing to remember is to never exceed the towing capacity of the vehicle, regardless of what the hitch says. For your vehicle, I would recommend a class three reciever type. make sure to buy a good one; draw-tite, reese, etc. I don't recommend using a bumper hitch for any extended towing or for anything over 2000 pounds. A final note...remember to equip you trailer with brakes if it has a gvwr of over 2000 pounds.

hope that helps

Captain Tim Bland
1986 F150 2WD LWB
300 I6 1bbl
3.08 geared 9"
three speed w/od