Tow small trailer with rear bumper?
#1
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Backwoods of Snowflake AZ
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Tow small trailer with rear bumper?
I know this question has probably been worn out to a T but I will ask it anyways.
I own a 88 F150 4x4 302 reg cab long bed truck whom I prefer to keep in good shape and not tow in the bed and only light trailers. I recently picked up a stronger, more reinforced rear bumper for it since it needed a bumper. I don't want to mess this bumper up as I really like it and is one of the only ones I can find like it.
I want to be able to tow my 3 motorcycle trailer which is all steel with my 73 Harley (not sure what it weighs but it is customized and probably weighs only a few hundred pounds less then my dad's bike), My dad's 07 Harley Davidson Heritage softail, and a similar bike to my Harley or a small pit bike that I have that weighs maybe 200-250lbs if that.
Do you think I should tow them with a hitch receiver or will I be fine with towing with my rear bumper. I don't want to add a hitch if I don't have to as then it probably will start being used as a truck to tow with and I don't want that.
I am not worried about my truck pulling it or not I am mainly worried about the bumper holding up or not.
Thanks guys
Trav
EDIT: my dad's bike weighs about at 800 or so pounds and mine weighs 600 or 700 lbs without the sissy bar and windshield.
I own a 88 F150 4x4 302 reg cab long bed truck whom I prefer to keep in good shape and not tow in the bed and only light trailers. I recently picked up a stronger, more reinforced rear bumper for it since it needed a bumper. I don't want to mess this bumper up as I really like it and is one of the only ones I can find like it.
I want to be able to tow my 3 motorcycle trailer which is all steel with my 73 Harley (not sure what it weighs but it is customized and probably weighs only a few hundred pounds less then my dad's bike), My dad's 07 Harley Davidson Heritage softail, and a similar bike to my Harley or a small pit bike that I have that weighs maybe 200-250lbs if that.
Do you think I should tow them with a hitch receiver or will I be fine with towing with my rear bumper. I don't want to add a hitch if I don't have to as then it probably will start being used as a truck to tow with and I don't want that.
I am not worried about my truck pulling it or not I am mainly worried about the bumper holding up or not.
Thanks guys
Trav
EDIT: my dad's bike weighs about at 800 or so pounds and mine weighs 600 or 700 lbs without the sissy bar and windshield.
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#8
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Thanks for that info Paul. the big loads I got other trucks to tow so I won't be much more a couple thousand pounds.
Do you think my 302 if it was running great with my 3.55 gears and 31s will be comfortable towing that around a couple hundred to 300 miles with a few decent sized hills?
Trav
Do you think my 302 if it was running great with my 3.55 gears and 31s will be comfortable towing that around a couple hundred to 300 miles with a few decent sized hills?
Trav
#11
I would definitely recommend going for the front hitch receiver - Reese Hitches has a good selection of them for Ford. Better safe than sorry and then you won't have to worry. They are usually pretty easy to install, too.
#12
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I would definitely recommend going for the front hitch receiver - Reese Hitches has a good selection of them for Ford. Better safe than sorry and then you won't have to worry. They are usually pretty easy to install, too.
Trav
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