weight on bumper
weight on bumper
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
From: So Cal
Usually the bumper has a rating etched on it somewhere. I think my 94 F250 bumper has it on the horizontal flat surface right next to the hole for the ball.
I vaguely recall the rating saying something like 5,000# max and 500# tongue, but don't trust me here plus your bumper may be different.
Depending on the ratings of your 150, you probably can haul an empty two horse trailer, check your manual and door sticker for ratings. Also depends on the weight of the trailer of course.
The usual problem I see with bumper mounted ***** is that they are too high and the trailer will not be level.
If you already have a frame mounted reciever hitch all you need to buy is a "stinger" and they cost something between $19 and $40 for a normal one.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
I vaguely recall the rating saying something like 5,000# max and 500# tongue, but don't trust me here plus your bumper may be different.
Depending on the ratings of your 150, you probably can haul an empty two horse trailer, check your manual and door sticker for ratings. Also depends on the weight of the trailer of course.
The usual problem I see with bumper mounted ***** is that they are too high and the trailer will not be level.
If you already have a frame mounted reciever hitch all you need to buy is a "stinger" and they cost something between $19 and $40 for a normal one.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 638
Likes: 7
From: Birmingham, AL
I have a '94 E150 van with the factory step bumper and Jim's numbers are correct. It's rated as a class III hitch, 5000# max and 500 tongue.
You might want to check the bumper attachment bolts for tightness before you pull a trailer of that size with it. I've never towed more than a utility trailer using the bumper hitch and it tilted the bumper down a little bit.
The factory bumper should have a 1" ball hole if you need to buy a ball for the job.
Gene
You might want to check the bumper attachment bolts for tightness before you pull a trailer of that size with it. I've never towed more than a utility trailer using the bumper hitch and it tilted the bumper down a little bit.
The factory bumper should have a 1" ball hole if you need to buy a ball for the job.
Gene
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Originally Posted by eclecticcowboy
How much weight can I safely put on the bumper of a '90 150 before I have to go to a receiver hitch? Or, can I tow an empty 2 horse trailer?
A receiver hitch can be delivered to your door for $150.00 or less, and an hour or less to install it, while greatly adding to your towing capabilities.
John
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 638
Likes: 7
From: Birmingham, AL
stressolutions,
Is that a factory bumper? What year is your truck?
I have a heavy aftermarket bumper on my F350 that is rated the same as yours but the factory bumper on my van is 500/5000.
I have class IV recievers on both vehicles for heavy towing.
Gene
Is that a factory bumper? What year is your truck?
I have a heavy aftermarket bumper on my F350 that is rated the same as yours but the factory bumper on my van is 500/5000.
I have class IV recievers on both vehicles for heavy towing.
Gene
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, MN
I've got a 94, don't know if it's a factory bumper or not. I've seen more of them around.
It's chrome, and looks very nice. The area with the holes for the hitch is lower, quite a bit, than the very top of the bumper, so it works better for the small amt of towing that I"ve done.
It's chrome, and looks very nice. The area with the holes for the hitch is lower, quite a bit, than the very top of the bumper, so it works better for the small amt of towing that I"ve done.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 638
Likes: 7
From: Birmingham, AL
My factory bumper is chrome, has a rubber tread pad on top and in the area where the hitch ball goes. The area where the hitch ball goes is lower than the top of the bumper, but about an inch higher than the bottom of the bumper. There is a little bit of shape to the face of the bumper, the ends and upper and lower edges are radiused, not flat, not square. Sound like yours?
My aftermarket bumper on the F350 is large, heavy and chromed. It is flat on it's vertical surface and looks kind of like the front bumper on a dressed out Peterbuilt. It's about a foot high in the middle with a taper to each end where it is maybe 6 inches high. The center section has a dropped hitch box, is painted black and includes a tag mount and lights. Even though it has the high load rating, I can't use it for towing because the hole for the hitch ball sits right on top of my receiver.
Your bumper may have been supplied by the dealer. A lot of trucks used to come with no rear bumper and the dealer installed step bumpers. That could be why you have seen other bumpers like it around town. That's a hoss of a bumper for a 1/2 ton truck and the original poster could have one similar to it instead of the factory bumper.
Gene
My aftermarket bumper on the F350 is large, heavy and chromed. It is flat on it's vertical surface and looks kind of like the front bumper on a dressed out Peterbuilt. It's about a foot high in the middle with a taper to each end where it is maybe 6 inches high. The center section has a dropped hitch box, is painted black and includes a tag mount and lights. Even though it has the high load rating, I can't use it for towing because the hole for the hitch ball sits right on top of my receiver.
Your bumper may have been supplied by the dealer. A lot of trucks used to come with no rear bumper and the dealer installed step bumpers. That could be why you have seen other bumpers like it around town. That's a hoss of a bumper for a 1/2 ton truck and the original poster could have one similar to it instead of the factory bumper.
Gene
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, MN
Sounds like your 350 has the same bumper as my 150 has. The top has a plastic step tread like on it. The vertical face of my bumper has a little surface rust on it that I keep scrubbing off...keep putting on some wax to try to keep it at bay.
mick
mick
