Hey guys,

96 f150 4x4. How about our stock rear bumpers. it says 400 tongue 8000 total. What about that with just the two stock mounting points. I have a hitch but it is a V4 or 5 and hangs really low. Just thinking of just using the bumper thru hunting season to pull my trailer. My receiver constantly drags. I will not be pulling anything over 3000 or 4000 lbs with it. What do you think. The reciever is already off. I would like to have a hidden hitch with a roll pan..... yeah

 

Hellooooooooo.... I know it's seems obvious, but I want some input. How much have you guys pulled with your stock bumpers without a failure!

 

Having owned 3 93-95 F150s all w/ hitches, I would say that you must have a universal hitch on your truck or a body lift. My receiver tube is right below the bumper. In fact, the spare tire hangs down lower than the hitch. I have never been a fan of thowing of a step bumper. I just don't trust them & there is no way to adjust tongue height for proper weight distribution & handling. Hidden Hitch is a brand name, not a description for their product. I've had both Drawtite & Hidden hitch & they where constructed very similar. I've also had a roll pan w/ the hitch behind it but I prefer the step bumper & hitch combo.

 

83project,

I have a 97 F-350 Dually and I thought my bumper was stamped with the ratings. I just went out and looked and I couldn't find anything.

I think I towed a car trailer with a car on it before becuase my reciever was also to low. At any rate check out this link to LMC and read what they say about the bumpers they sell. LMC Truck Parts - Page 63

In my opinion towing is something you are going to have to feel confident with.

Hopefully this helped a little.

 

Personally, if I can't manhandle the trailer before it's hooked up to the truck, I use the receiver mount. Things like small garden trailers & such are fine for the bumper pull, but anything larger and it just seems to be too much of a risk.

I agree with currituckF150 in that it seems your receiver hangs much too low.

 

I appreciate the opinions. I am going to leave the bumper right now b/c I am buying a shell for hunting season and will need a step to get in and out on.

As to the hitch, I don't remember the brand, but the top of the receiver was 3 to 4 " below the bottom of the bumper. It hung as low as the full size spare and then some...

Plus, I put 3/4 springs in front (which I love, great mod) so there is less rake which seems to sit things lower in the rear.

I hope they over engineered although, I will prob never tow more than 4k on the bumper unless it's a hugh emergency.

Tnx again guys

 

I've been under the truck, readjusting my bumper. There are just as many bolts holding the bumper as what held the reciever hitch. It seems the only real diff is not being able to adjust the height as one of you said. I think I would trust this thing to even 6k, but not 8k as it says.