Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Stock bumper

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 14, 2010 | 09:24 PM
  #1  
83project's Avatar
83project
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Stock bumper

Hey guys,

96 f150 4x4. How about our stock rear bumpers. it says 400 tongue 8000 total. What about that with just the two stock mounting points. I have a hitch but it is a V4 or 5 and hangs really low. Just thinking of just using the bumper thru hunting season to pull my trailer. My receiver constantly drags. I will not be pulling anything over 3000 or 4000 lbs with it. What do you think. The reciever is already off. I would like to have a hidden hitch with a roll pan..... yeah
 
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2010 | 02:19 PM
  #2  
83project's Avatar
83project
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Hellooooooooo.... I know it's seems obvious, but I want some input. How much have you guys pulled with your stock bumpers without a failure!
 
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2010 | 03:07 PM
  #3  
currituckF150's Avatar
currituckF150
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Having owned 3 93-95 F150s all w/ hitches, I would say that you must have a universal hitch on your truck or a body lift. My receiver tube is right below the bumper. In fact, the spare tire hangs down lower than the hitch. I have never been a fan of thowing of a step bumper. I just don't trust them & there is no way to adjust tongue height for proper weight distribution & handling. Hidden Hitch is a brand name, not a description for their product. I've had both Drawtite & Hidden hitch & they where constructed very similar. I've also had a roll pan w/ the hitch behind it but I prefer the step bumper & hitch combo.
 
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2010 | 04:55 PM
  #4  
KC92F150's Avatar
KC92F150
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by 83project
Hey guys,

96 f150 4x4. How about our stock rear bumpers. it says 400 tongue 8000 total. What about that with just the two stock mounting points. I have a hitch but it is a V4 or 5 and hangs really low. Just thinking of just using the bumper thru hunting season to pull my trailer. My receiver constantly drags. I will not be pulling anything over 3000 or 4000 lbs with it. What do you think. The reciever is already off. I would like to have a hidden hitch with a roll pan..... yeah
83project,

I have a 97 F-350 Dually and I thought my bumper was stamped with the ratings. I just went out and looked and I couldn't find anything.

I think I towed a car trailer with a car on it before becuase my reciever was also to low. At any rate check out this link to LMC and read what they say about the bumpers they sell. LMC Truck Parts - Page 63

In my opinion towing is something you are going to have to feel confident with.

Hopefully this helped a little.
 
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2010 | 06:46 PM
  #5  
DIYiT's Avatar
DIYiT
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 1
Club FTE Gold Member
Personally, if I can't manhandle the trailer before it's hooked up to the truck, I use the receiver mount. Things like small garden trailers & such are fine for the bumper pull, but anything larger and it just seems to be too much of a risk.

I agree with currituckF150 in that it seems your receiver hangs much too low.
 
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2010 | 09:54 AM
  #6  
83project's Avatar
83project
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Thanks for replies

I appreciate the opinions. I am going to leave the bumper right now b/c I am buying a shell for hunting season and will need a step to get in and out on.

As to the hitch, I don't remember the brand, but the top of the receiver was 3 to 4 " below the bottom of the bumper. It hung as low as the full size spare and then some...

Plus, I put 3/4 springs in front (which I love, great mod) so there is less rake which seems to sit things lower in the rear.

I hope they over engineered although, I will prob never tow more than 4k on the bumper unless it's a hugh emergency.

Tnx again guys
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2010 | 07:55 PM
  #7  
83project's Avatar
83project
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
I've been under the truck, readjusting my bumper. There are just as many bolts holding the bumper as what held the reciever hitch. It seems the only real diff is not being able to adjust the height as one of you said. I think I would trust this thing to even 6k, but not 8k as it says.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
quincyj34
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
20
Feb 11, 2015 08:00 PM
loudoun
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
14
Jul 17, 2014 01:56 PM
Skalywag
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Jul 13, 2014 12:11 PM
mclaughlinrp
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
21
Dec 9, 2009 07:02 PM
fishmanndotcom
All Things Towing
19
Oct 21, 2004 11:59 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:38 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE