Step bumper for towing

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Apr 11, 2018 | 07:23 PM

kh0432

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 318

Likes: 13

From: Baltimore

Step bumper for towing

I have an 86 F150 with 4 speed M/T and 5L 8 cyl. It has the 7” step bumper which the owners manual states is rated as a class 3 for 5000 lbs and 750lbs tongue weight. I want to use a utility trailer to tow a Cub Cadet tractor. The bumper is in very good shape with no rust and mounting brackets are good. Any reason I can’t use this or should I install a frame mounted hitch?

Apr 11, 2018 | 07:29 PM

NumberDummy

Ford Parts Specialist

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 88,826

Likes: 784

From: Simi Valley, CA

Upper pic: 1980/86 F100/350 Styleside step bumper. The vinyl bumper pads (17K831 right side shown) were optional.

Apr 11, 2018 | 08:12 PM

Franklin2

Moderator

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 56,979

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From: Virginia

You certainly could use it to haul a small trailer with a lawnmower on it. I am not sure I would use it to pull a trailer weighing 5000lbs, even though it said it could. You will find if you want to use the higher rated 2 inch hitch ***** in the bumper, they will not fit the hole in the bumper, it's too small.

Apr 12, 2018 | 08:32 AM

monkey-1

Laughing Gas

Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 1,236

Likes: 285

From: Clinton, MS

I agree. I would look at a receiver hitch for anything substantial.

Apr 12, 2018 | 01:23 PM

kh0432

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 318

Likes: 13

From: Baltimore

I was able to get a 2" ball with a 3/4" shank to fit my bumper rated for 3000 lbs which is more than I need. Uhaul will rent me a utility trailer to use with my step bumper but they will not rent it to use on my Explorer that has a class 3 hitch. I was told it was because of the Firestone tire problem from years ago.

Apr 12, 2018 | 09:01 PM

Nothing Special

Lead Driver

Joined: Feb 2013

Posts: 5,006

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From: Roseville, MN

From '84 - '98 I drive an '85 F-250 with a 5000 lb rated step bumper hitch. I was able to find a 5000 lb rated ball that fit it (I don't recall the shank size). That's all I ever had on that truck. If the bumper is solid and the ball is rated for it too, I don't see why not use the rating.

But I will say that I like using a receiver better now that I've had one.

Apr 13, 2018 | 02:15 PM

kh0432

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 318

Likes: 13

From: Baltimore

Problem solved. Home Depot will rent the trailer I need and I can use my Explorer. I'd rather use the Explorer because it's automatic and having A/C is a plus. The funny thing is that Uhaul won't rent a trailer for the Explorer but if I put in the same year for a Ranger, they will. There the same trucks!

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Apr 13, 2018 | 09:21 PM

Franklin2

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Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 56,979

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From: Virginia

Quote:

Originally Posted by kh0432

I hope you do not have trouble hooking the trailer lights up. Some of the Explorers and a few of the Rangers had separate amber rear turn lights. So their brake wiring and their turn wiring are separate with separate bulbs. Trailers have the conventional combinaton brake/turn in a single light.

I helped a guy with a Explorer like this, his had a towing package on it, and the factory put a special plug at the rear bumper area. Believe or not the local Auto store had the little short harness needed to plug into the Ford connector and that gave him conventional light signals that would work the lights on a trailer. I looked at the wiring diagrams and it seems Ford used a conventional turnsignal switch, and ran the conventional wires all the way to the rear (on the ones with a towing package) and have a special plug back there for the wires.

Another way to do it is the store sells a convertor box. This little box will take the amber turns and the red stop wire, and combine them together so out of the box you get combination left stop/turn and right stop/turn. I think the box is around $12 or so.