towing, please help me out!
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Joined: May 2004
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towing, please help me out!
my dad has a 92 F150, it has the 351 and its 4x4, standard cab
not sure what bumper he has, but it has a tow ball on it
i will be using the truck this saturday to tow a car 425 miles home, using a uhaul tow dolly. the car weighs roughly 3000 lbs.
what im wondering is, can i just use the bumper to tow, or must i buy a hitch, i cant really afford to buy a hitch
about the wiring, i should have no problem adding the wiring harness, as i do lots of car electrical stuff, stereos, lights, alarms, etc
also, is their any advice you have for a first time tower?
i know to leave overdrive off, and to leave plenty of stopping room.
should i take the tranny cooler off of my car and add it to his truck for the tow? its a fairly big one, bigger than the one on a older ford box truck i worked on.
thanks,
Russell
not sure what bumper he has, but it has a tow ball on it
i will be using the truck this saturday to tow a car 425 miles home, using a uhaul tow dolly. the car weighs roughly 3000 lbs.
what im wondering is, can i just use the bumper to tow, or must i buy a hitch, i cant really afford to buy a hitch
about the wiring, i should have no problem adding the wiring harness, as i do lots of car electrical stuff, stereos, lights, alarms, etc
also, is their any advice you have for a first time tower?
i know to leave overdrive off, and to leave plenty of stopping room.
should i take the tranny cooler off of my car and add it to his truck for the tow? its a fairly big one, bigger than the one on a older ford box truck i worked on.
thanks,
Russell
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,324
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From: Denton,TX
The weight of the trailer and car will be pushing the limit for the bumper. I know that's not what you want to hear. You would be much better off with a receiver hitch for the job. I doubt U-Haul will rent you the trailer if they know how you are going to tow it.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
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From: Marengo, Iowa
I know of plenty of poeple that use the bumper for full trailers and get by with it. There should be a weight rating stamped on the bumper that will tell the max weight it is designed for. I agree that a receiver is best, but you can probably get by with it for this time, but if you were to do it regular, a receiver would really be advised. As far as uhaul renting it, they don't get that picky, considering they will rent you a hitch that would clamp onto the bumper of the car with chains. Yes, I know it's been a while since they made cars to do that with, but the liability falls on your shoulders, not theirs, as the contract you sign has a disclaimer in it that exempts them from responsibility. In regards to the trans cooler, unless you are going to be towing a long ways and more than once, don't worry about it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
The first place to start is how much is the bumper/ball rated for from the factory. Is it a 1 7/8 or 2 inch ball? I have seen the u-haul tow dollies and they work pretty well for a bumper ball. That is how the guy that bought my BII took it away. If you have a bumper AND ball rated for 5,000 pounds I think it would be okay. Then the problem is not going, but, stopping. I would keep it to 45 mph or less.
We used one to tow a 73 Chevy Impala (very big car) with a newer 2x4 Dodge truck 1/2 ton. We kept it to about 35 mph and it was okay. Just do not do big hills at high speed. Stopping will not be fun downhill.
If the bumper/ball is rated only for 3,000 pounds or if it was raining, I would skip it.
We used one to tow a 73 Chevy Impala (very big car) with a newer 2x4 Dodge truck 1/2 ton. We kept it to about 35 mph and it was okay. Just do not do big hills at high speed. Stopping will not be fun downhill.
If the bumper/ball is rated only for 3,000 pounds or if it was raining, I would skip it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,324
Likes: 1
From: Denton,TX
Originally Posted by rebocardo
We used one to tow a 73 Chevy Impala (very big car) with a newer 2x4 Dodge truck 1/2 ton.
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Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Originally Posted by russell1337
picked up a hitch today from a junkyard, cost $50
its rated at 10,000 lbs also!!
im sanding it and repainting it so it looks brand new
its rated at 10,000 lbs also!!
im sanding it and repainting it so it looks brand new
Good choice. Make sure welds are OK - you will not regret using this kind of hitch and your Dad will have one for the next time he needs to pull something or hook up a chain to yank something out (tree stump, etc.).
Dave / Believer45
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The Pacifier
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Cloverdale, BC
Good on ya for finding a cheap hitch!
I just wanted to add that I pulled a dune buggy on a car trailer with my old 77 F100 off my bumper ball. While I didn't do any damage to my truck, or bumper for that matter, I lent my truck out to a buddy. (Big mistake.)
Well, he hauled a Datsun 510 on the same car trailer, off my bumper ball, and bent the snot out of my bumper somehow. So, while the bumper may take the load, turning and backing into spots is a different animal. To keep from bending the bumper, go with the hitch. (Which you already have.)
It's also a good place to put another blue oval. Or a Harley "Sheild." Or a 4th brake light. Or a Calvin peeing on something. Ha ha.
I just wanted to add that I pulled a dune buggy on a car trailer with my old 77 F100 off my bumper ball. While I didn't do any damage to my truck, or bumper for that matter, I lent my truck out to a buddy. (Big mistake.)
Well, he hauled a Datsun 510 on the same car trailer, off my bumper ball, and bent the snot out of my bumper somehow. So, while the bumper may take the load, turning and backing into spots is a different animal. To keep from bending the bumper, go with the hitch. (Which you already have.)
It's also a good place to put another blue oval. Or a Harley "Sheild." Or a 4th brake light. Or a Calvin peeing on something. Ha ha.
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