My 93 Dually has one of those rear bumpers that drop across the back and have a plate and 3 integral holes for trailer *****.

The plate is bent from over loading.

I want to install a regular hitch but since the bumps "drops" low across the back I need a new regular bumper that is the same height all the way across

Where can I find that?

 

Build your own Bumper... IF you can't do that then go to a Welding shop that can and Pay them for a Custom Bumper

 

Yeah probably just a 6" pipe welded onto the rear frame rails would do the trick I guess

 

Exactly, some Thick walled Pipe and some 1/2 inch plate ... you don't weld it to the Frame you Bolt it to the Frame... it makes a nice Air Tank too IF done right and it really don't cost that much for materials compared to buying a cheap aftermarket bumper. I used 3/4" plate for the Hitch area on mine and 1/2" for the Mounts to bolt to the Frame.

 

I mean, I guess you can go to LMC Truck and find a bumper but nothing you can get aftermarket will compare with a custom built unit

 

I'd rather have a heavy bumper that's bolted and welded to the frame than a drop hitch. Those things aren't built very tough, I've seen some even bend down and crack the welds, even a 15k one isn't very thick... The reason lots of bumpers are welded to the frame is because the bolts have a tendency to rattle loose if you tow alot over rough roads.

The only benefit I see to a drop hitch vs a good heavy bumper is more turn radius because it gets the trailer further away from the truck, and drop down if it's taller than the trailer but if you look at older bumper pull trailers they had a longer neck on them to work nicely with a bumper mounted ball vs this new stuff with short necks..

Also if your trailer doesn't have it the bull dog hitches are the only way to go.

My 89 came with a real heavy custom built bumper with a 2 5/16 ball mounted to it, and a drop plate that has a 2" ball. Pretty decent setup imo

 

you don't Weld to the Frame.... that is considered a NO NO and can set you up for a Lawsuit here in Texas...maybe different in other states.......but ya better check your laws before you go welding on Frame rails.

I can do 80° in a turn with my bumper.


Case in point: I had to settle a Lawsuit about 30 years ago due to one of my vehicles was involved in an accident where the front LH wheel bearing seized up and the driver bumped another vehicle, the investigation showed that my vehicle had a Hitch Welded to the Frame which really had nothing to do with the accident but was illegal yada yada yada Damned Lawyers....
Lesson learned ... the vehicle was deemed unsafe.

 

That's some interesting red tape, I never knew that was a clause in the law. Around here most trucks, both the front and back bumpers are welded if they're aftermarket..

I've seen several trucks that also had frame patching (mostly second generation Dodge diesels) and they all were holding together fine. Two in particular I remember was a broke frame, and one that tore off the piece of frame the Trac bar bracket was mounted to. Both 94-02 dodges, both still on the road as far as I know.

I remember reading somewhere years ago apparently there's nothing wrong with welding on frame rails. It claimed they were made of really good steel and got stronger once welded, but probably more brittle I would assume.

My ranch hand on the front of my 85 is bolted, but I did weld angle iron to the ends of the frame rails to beef it up. I tightened those bolts half a dozen times in the first month it was on there...been holding find since.

All three trucks have welded rear bumpers. None of which I did, all came like that. But I'll probably be welding the front ranch hand on the 85, I trimmed the core support and bumper so the bumper doesn't have to be removed to remove the intercooler.

Guess all three of my old Ford's are "illegal"

 

Found this excerpt of federal law;

§ 393.201Frames. (a) The frame or chassis of each commercial motor vehicle shall not be cracked, loose, sagging or broken. (b) Bolts or brackets securing the cab or the body of the vehicle to the frame must not be loose, broken, or missing. (c) The frame rail flanges between the axles shall not be bent, cut or notched, except as specified by the manufacturer. (d) Parts and accessories shall not be welded to the frame or chassis of a commercial motor vehicle except in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations. Any welded repair of the frame must also be in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations. (e) No holes shall be drilled in the top or bottom rail flanges, except as specified by the manufacturer.

So basically if you have to drill any holes to add that drop hitch, it is just as illegal as a welded hitch.

This also seems to only apply to commercial vehicles, so it may be different for personal vehicles. I found a Texas code but it mentioned nothing about the frame, mostly lights, mufflers and emissions equipment

Speaking of which, how many medium duties with plates welded to them to haul gooseneck trailers have you seen. Shouldn't that be illegal as well??

Not to mention all the flat beds that have drilled holes to mount them, or are just flat out welded.

I'm starting to think this is a technicality that isn't enforced, unless you're in a law suit of course. Those lawyers will do anything they can to get that commission..

 

I never said Welding wasn't Technically sound .... and my vehicles at the time were commercial ... like I said different states maybe different laws.

we are able to Drill in the side of a Frame Rail but not on the top or bottom of the rail


Like I always said "IF it wasn't for Lawyers we wouldn't need them"

AND like I said the welding had nothing to do with the Cause of the accident, but because it was present we were at Fault..... so just take that for what it's worth......

 

for what's it worth........ good song.........



don't weld yer bumpers

 

Ranch Hand bumpers are available at Pick Up Heaven in Austin. They can get one from the factory within a few days.

 

Tons of great info here. Thanks gents!!!!!!!!!!!!!!