STEP Bumper Towing
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: El Dorado Co., CA.
STEP Bumper Towing
do any of you tow using a the step bumper? i know it's rated at 500 lbs tounge and 5000lbs max. what would be the advantage of getting a receiver installed if my trailer is 5000lbs or less?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 110
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From: Alaska
Pros would be having a reciever. That would allow you to adjustable hitches and a weight distributing setup if needed.
If you do decide for go with a recieve hitch make sure it will work with a step bumper. I read somewhere a bout the bumper being too low for some recievers.
Hope that helps a little.
Kaleo Q.
If you do decide for go with a recieve hitch make sure it will work with a step bumper. I read somewhere a bout the bumper being too low for some recievers.
Hope that helps a little.
Kaleo Q.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 81
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I have the 2000 e150xlt w/step bumper. The reciever I bought takes a longer hitch bar to work well but they are readily available. The weight distribution hitch and sway bar does wonders for towing comfort.
With a 5000 lb trailer you will find it will stay under control much better this way. I do use the step bumper for my 800lb utility trailer and it works fine. I would say it all depends on the weight!
Happy towing!
With a 5000 lb trailer you will find it will stay under control much better this way. I do use the step bumper for my 800lb utility trailer and it works fine. I would say it all depends on the weight!
Happy towing!
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 33
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towing
I pull a boat with a GVW of about 2500# with the factory bumper and it works fine. It depends how much weight you are pulling and if you need a lower hitch. I see a lot of hitches installed on vehicles with bumper hitches and have to wonder why they spent the extra money. Just my opinion.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 341
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From: eastern Ma
Towing
I have a 96 with the spare tire underneath. I wanted to put a hitch on, but wasn't sure if the hitch would get in the way of the spare, or visa versa.
Is this doable? It came with the tow package, but no hitch.
Got to get everything done on the cars in warmer weather. No garage to work in!!
I had a friend with the spare under. He had to call a wrecker when he got a flat. He could change it himself, but the spare holder was all rusted. I guess they have to be taken out every once in a while, so they won't get all rusty. I suppose a little anti-seize would help.
Is this doable? It came with the tow package, but no hitch.
Got to get everything done on the cars in warmer weather. No garage to work in!!
I had a friend with the spare under. He had to call a wrecker when he got a flat. He could change it himself, but the spare holder was all rusted. I guess they have to be taken out every once in a while, so they won't get all rusty. I suppose a little anti-seize would help.
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 588
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From: El Dorado Co., CA.
Originally Posted by Leo_T
I have a 96 with the spare tire underneath. I wanted to put a hitch on, but wasn't sure if the hitch would get in the way of the spare, or visa versa.
Is this doable? It came with the tow package, but no hitch.
Got to get everything done on the cars in warmer weather. No garage to work in!!
I had a friend with the spare under. He had to call a wrecker when he got a flat. He could change it himself, but the spare holder was all rusted. I guess they have to be taken out every once in a while, so they won't get all rusty. I suppose a little anti-seize would help.
Is this doable? It came with the tow package, but no hitch.
Got to get everything done on the cars in warmer weather. No garage to work in!!
I had a friend with the spare under. He had to call a wrecker when he got a flat. He could change it himself, but the spare holder was all rusted. I guess they have to be taken out every once in a while, so they won't get all rusty. I suppose a little anti-seize would help.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 110
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From: Alaska
Most hitch setups will work with the spare. Some "specialty" hitches, like Pull-right may not work if you have an extended van.
I never even thought about the spare being rusted up. I better go check if mine still works.
I never even thought about the spare being rusted up. I better go check if mine still works.
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
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My 2000 e150xlt has a Valley Industries hitch (generic) and does not inerfere with the spare. I did have to drill 3 holes.
The other peice that you may need is the 7wire cable. if you have the 4wire trailer plug the 7wire replaces it up under the vehicle near the spare. had to look for the additional plug but found it.
That will allow you to use the brake controller plug near the parking brake pedal. (it was stuffed up there but finally found it too) You plug in a trailer brake controller to it for trailers that have electric brakes.
The 7wire cable can be ordered from Ford. If you have the towing package you should be prewired for it, it is probably worth verifying before you get the cable. Just follow the 4wire cable ~3feet under the vehicle and where it plugs in there should also be another plug unused.
good luck!
The other peice that you may need is the 7wire cable. if you have the 4wire trailer plug the 7wire replaces it up under the vehicle near the spare. had to look for the additional plug but found it.
That will allow you to use the brake controller plug near the parking brake pedal. (it was stuffed up there but finally found it too) You plug in a trailer brake controller to it for trailers that have electric brakes.
The 7wire cable can be ordered from Ford. If you have the towing package you should be prewired for it, it is probably worth verifying before you get the cable. Just follow the 4wire cable ~3feet under the vehicle and where it plugs in there should also be another plug unused.
good luck!
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 341
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From: eastern Ma
hitch
Thanks guys...odd the tow package comes without the hitch. A little misleading.
I'll need it for a small utility trailer, but might as well get a heavy duty one. You never know..might get the RV bug, or boat. Then I'd be kicking my butt that I didn't get the heavier duty hitch.
I'll need it for a small utility trailer, but might as well get a heavy duty one. You never know..might get the RV bug, or boat. Then I'd be kicking my butt that I didn't get the heavier duty hitch.
New User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
bumper tow
DON't do it!!! I have a step bumper on my CLub Wagon and used it to tow because the tow rating was well within the load. I almost lost the trailer at 55 miles an hour on a packed 3 lane bridge. The bumper brackets tore loose and I stopped just before the last little bit of the bracket let loose. Phew! Did I luck out. I looked at the brackets and they are not welded up properly from the factory. I suspect some engineer didn't spec the welding properly. Use a frame mounted tow hitch!
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