I am considering purchasing a small powerboat and using my "big 6" to tow the boat around. The truck is in average condition with ~150K miles on it. If I want to put a new hitch on the truck, how can I be certain that the frame isn't too rusty to handle the new hitch being welded (or bolted) to the frame? Would the hitch installer be able to tell?

The boat will probably be around 5,000 lbs.

Thanks. Jim B.

 

The factory step bumper is rated for that load, and there are simple bolt on adapters that accept a standard class 3 tow bar.. which is what I have. The bumper is attached at least as well an any receiver would be so a receiver no safer in my opinion.

 

Forgot to mention that the truck is also lifted (2-inch lift, I believe) and has 33x12.5 tires, so I think the step bumper will be too high (unless I lift the trailer, eh?). I think a receiver is the only way to go. Sigh...

Jim B.

 

If you will be having it professionally installed ask the service writer to note on the work request for the installation tech to make sure the frame is able to handle the full tonger/trailer weight rating for your truck. If you are going to install it yourself, bring the truck to a local mechanic you trust and ask him/her to inspect the frame for hitch installation. Pay him/her the going rate, or a case of their favorite beer. Then you will know.

 

the bumper might be rated to hold that load. no way in hades the frame where the bumper attaches is. Ford has NEVER recommended using the bumper to tow with. Ford, does not make bumpers or hitches, but does sell both.

search on posts where I discuss this and show pics of ford frame rear ends.

if the attachment points for a normal hitch are thin, then the bumper is held in there by rust only - trust me on this, the area under the bumper mounts/rear spring hangers is the FIRST to go.

look up my ford rusty frame fix in projects and see how I strengthen it and look up my 'new blue' true in projects to see what one looks like installed.

 

Paul, you have HAD to have seen enuf of these to know that this cannot possibly be true.

2 bolts per side 4 inches apart in thin metal would NEVER suffice for a class IV, let alone class III hitch. not to mention these bolts are behind the rear most crossmember - the weakest area by far. (and in the case of rust, the most non-existent area)

pet peeve of mind. people willm not might, but WILL die if this is hooked up wrong

 

I have to agree with everything QuadDriver said. I tow wagons around the farm and back roads with my bumper, but if I'm going to pull expensive farm equipment, or haul trailers on trafficked roads, I use the receiver. That can be braced up and made much sturdier than the bumper. Scale builds up between the plates that run forward to the frame from the bumper and the bumper itself, so much so that I've seen it pull the welds apart, and the nuts on the frame bolts flake apart like dropping a hot glass into ice water. They're not even really nut shaped anymore.

But the bumper itself, sure, it could handle the weight, but not the OEM mounting, with more than a decade of oxidation.

 

Well that is right out of the owners manual.. the factory step bumper has a class 3 rating. But after taking another look at mine it's probably not something I'd put that much on as there is only one small bracket on each side with a total of 2 bolts each holding it up there. The bumper is certainly built heavy enough and the frame has a crossmember right at the rear on my truck(part of the towing package?) ..but the mounting brackets aren't all that impressive.

 

The factory bumper is rated at 5000 trailer weight and 500 tongue weight. I've pulled around 3500lbs with my bumper hitch, but was nervous doing so. I am more comfortable with the receiver hitch I have on there now.

From a design standpoint, the only issue I see with the bumper attachment would be strength side-to-side. Vertical direction should be fine the way it is bolted in with two bolts - there's a lot of surface area and the bolts are pretty large (big clamping force). Over time, though, corrosion would have a negative effect on the overall strength of that joint, as you all said. Could it be better? Maybe so, but it isn't necessarily a poor design.

 

just use duck tape to reinforce it!

 

If you frame just has surface rust on it then its fine. If it is rusted through then its not suitable for installing a reciever hitch.

 

.....Duck tape ??? Thats just crazzy electical tape & super glue works much better .... Lew

 

J.B Weld.....