How do I find out for sure that my stock,factory step bumper on my '94 F150 is indeed "V" rated (which I assume is 500lbs tongue load, and 5000lbs pulling load) Thanks!

 

Anybody........I know thats what "V" rated means with respect to '73-'79 Fseries.

 

If you have an owner's manual, I would check in there. As far as I know, all the bumpers are rated as Class III hitches (500 tongue, 5000 gross). It should be stamped in the bumper somewhere as well.

 

Hey guys! I checked out a couple of sites and I don't think the bumper is stock. With a Class "V" (five) Rating, it says the rating is for up to 14,000lbs. No actual tongue weight is specified, since it is based on the percentige of weight, forward of the trailer axle.

I don't think FORD has an F150 that can haul something like that.
Maybe they do! Any other ideas? Anyone?

 

I think a hitch can be V rated, but not be a Class V hitch. The Ford step bumpers are usually just a Class III hitch with 5000 pound gross trailer weight capacity.

 

The bumpers are not class V. The owner's manual says class III. You need something a lot stronger than a bumper to carry V rated weight.

 

Hey guys! I totally agree. Thats why I'm saying, that can't be a stock bumper on an F150... I'm not sure where the "V" (five?) is coming from, but something sounds amiss! We can all agree that there are Classes of HITCHES to perform all aspects of towing...
BUT, I'd be hard pressed to say that about a BUMPER. (stock)...
I looked around in my manuals, but didn't find any definitive answers, but like Justin says, bumpers are class III, but I would rather have a hitch myself.... Talk with you guys later....

Hey there Supercab! Where are you? Get back to us OK?

 

The rear bumper on my 91 looks stock and is clearly marked "CLASS V Rated for 8,000 lbs, 800 lb tounge weight".

 

Hey there dpattonfl! Thanks for the in-put! WOW, that's a lot of toungue weight for a stock bumper!! I beleive what you say, but I won't ever use my stock bumper for towing. There's just too much to consider.

My main concern is- Most bumpers are purchased by the manufacturer at the CHEAPEST possible price. Some may hold up for years of abuse, and some don't.
Even with stabilizer's and safety chains, electric brakes and emergency brake disconnects.
The above items became law, because something happened to a bumper. I'll stick to the hitch set-up or a fifth wheel set-up anyday. I'll talk with you guys later....

 

I have a Master Guard Road Warrior drop bumper on my pickup. It has a 10K lb gross weight and 1K lb gross tounge weight ratings, it mentions no class rating.

My Chiltons book recomends a 35:1 horsepower-to-weight ratio when calculating the max trailer weight you "should" pull. Multiply engines rated horspower by 35 then subtract the weight of the vehicle including any extra weight (driver, passengers, luggage ect...) The resulting figure is the ideal max trailer weight that you can tow. This can be offset with different gearing if the trailer weight seems low, it doesn't give any specs on the gearing.

The 5K/500lb figure is usually considered to be a Class 3 which is 3500-6000lb according to my book and from what has already been said above. They mention Class 4, that is 6K lbs and above and those are for use with fifth wheel trucks only it states.

If the bumper has been put on by someone else I would check that all the bolt holes were used, good quality grade bolts were used and everything is tight and looks good. There has to be numbers or something to reference stamped on it. You may need to visit a shop that deals with these installs and have them check it out just to be safe. Hope this helps a little.

 

My hitch is frame mounted and MUCH stronger than any stock bumper Ford ever installed and is still only a class III. Sorry, if it's stock it's not anything higher than a class III, comes right from my Ford manual.

 

Here Here for hitches!! They're massive, they're ugly, you are constantly bumping your leg on it, you usually have to put the spare in another location.
BUT, when I'm Hauling a trailer, with either a yard sale toilet, or a $40,000 boat, I'm going to go with a Hitch.
I'm done with my opinion- Talk to you guys about the weather soon!

 

My 89 F150/351w has a stock step bumper (I think its rated at least 5000/500lb); however, when I shopped around for a "real" hitch, everybody told me not to haul with the step bumper.

Maybe better for their business, but they said the bumpers really get tweaked. I started looking at all the pickups I saw in traffic with a hitch ball in their step bumper, and sure enough none of them had a straight bumper any more!

 

Several times I've pulled the trailer for my scout troop from the bumper, weighing probably around 3000 or so, and had no reservations doing that at all. I also pulled close to 5000 with my bumper, maybe even a little more (only towed it once). I was really nervous doing it though, but the bumper never sagged or bent or anything. I have since installed a class IV Reese hitch (no sense getting a class III hitch if it tows the same as the bumper) that will tow more than my truck can, so I don't have to worry about the bumper at all now. I didn't have to relocate the spare tire, which would have been a pain. The reciever tube doesn't stick out, so long as I take the drawbar out, I'm not gonna bust my shins. The stock step bumper is plenty for occasional towing of loads less than 5000 lbs.

 

Other vehicles might not have a good tow rating but our trucks do for their bumpers.