bumper mounted hitch

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Mar 16, 2012 | 10:46 PM

tongdies

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bumper mounted hitch

Has anybody installed one of these on a Sport Trac?

Amazon.com: Reese Towpower 81378 Step Bumper Receiver: Automotive

Thanks.

Mar 16, 2012 | 11:01 PM

Ford_Six

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From: The Big, Oregon

That is not an appropriate towing attachment, with limited exception: IF your bumper has a load rating stamped on it, and has the reinforcement plates between the bumper and frame, then it'll be good for whatever the rating is (usually 300lb tongue weight, 3000lb max trailer weight). If the existing bumper does not have a stamp, or does not have reinforcement plates, then no go. Even if it is actually a towing bumper, it's still a poor substitute for an actual receiver hitch, and is opening you up to liability in case something goes wrong.
You can get a Reese frame-mounted receiver hitch from wal-mart for $120, it fits most Explorers, Rangers, and Sport-Trac.

Mar 16, 2012 | 11:39 PM

85e150

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X2. Look at your bumper. If it's similar to the '98 Explorer (and other years up and down the range) all you have is a 3/16s plate that fits inside the chrome outer bumper, which is only about two steps tougher than a gum wrapper.

The Explorer bumpers were rated for 3500lbs, 300 tongue iirc, and that info was printed on the plastic insert where the trailer hitch ball bolts on.

If you need more than that, get the reciever hitch as per prior post.

Mar 17, 2012 | 01:22 AM

tongdies

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sorry, I should have noted, my only purpose for this would be for a bike rack.

Mar 17, 2012 | 01:35 AM

khadma

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From: on da beach

Should work for your needs, as long as it physically fits.
My Bronco has a similar one, and it works fine.

Mar 17, 2012 | 05:23 PM

Ford_Six

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I still would be cautious of using that for a bike rack for two reasons- First, the bike rack will put a fair bit of torque on it, twisting it down, and second, if you sell the truck or someone borrows it down the road, they see a receiver and don't know it's limitations. That comes back into the liability end of things. It's only $120 to do it right.

Mar 17, 2012 | 06:28 PM

tongdies

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Liability is something I never thought of, and a very good point. As for the $120, unfortunatly I live on a island off the west coast of Canada and shipping is a killer. I can't find one for under $250, which is steep to put a bike rack on. I think I will continue to look at the salvage yards for one, or bite the bullet.

Thanks for the input.

Craig