Automotive Trailer Hitch question

[bmacd]

I bought a hitch kit for my '96 explorer on clearance for $9.00, normally priced at (and still sells for) $127 everywhere on the net (i think the model number was Reese 88002). After pulling out my spare tire and realizing this thing isn't going to fit (due to the fact that my frame is too wide for the forks), i debated whether or not i'd actually need a hitch in the first place. I plan on pulling two motorcycles to Tennessee from Michigan, which wouldn't be any more than a couple thousand pounds (probably a lot lower). I have a hole in my rear bumped designed for a ball to be thread through...is there any reason why i wouldn't want to use this instead? It's welded to part of (i assume) a subframe, or something that's also welded to my frame (but not directly welded to the frame). Will it be safe to use the supplied hole and mount a ball in there?

-=bmacd-=

 

[bmacd]

ttt

-=bmacd=-

 

[jemcam]

Look in the owner's manual and see what it's rated for.

Keep in mind those numbers are very conservative, so although not recommended, you could probably exceed that amount by a little bit.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

ya, and if you are close to the towing capacity make sure your bearings on your tailor are in good shape.

 

The average trailer weight rating of a standard bumper hitch is 750 lbs.

 

[Evadman]

after a quick look at edmunds and ford, I can not find anything at what the bumper is rated at, just total rating.

It will be in your owners manual.

 

[squirrel dog]

Your bumper hitch could pull a 2,500 lb load with ease.The receiver hitch you bought is rated at much more weight.A trailer with two bikes can be towed with ease with the hole through the bumper setup.If your trailer and both bikes are under 3,000 lb.

 

Your bumper hitch could pull a 2,500 lb load with ease.

Care to back up your information with a link or some proof ?

A 250 tongue wieght and 2,500 lb load on a bumper ?

 

[squirrel dog]

Rodger,what you are referring to is 750 lbs on the bumper itself,not the towed weight.750 lbs on the hitch would be a towed load of 7,500 lbs(10% of towed load on hitch).

 

[stev0]

as long as there isn't a whole lot of toung weight, you'll be fine. my dad had a 96 explorer that we pulled our 21' boat with, and he as pulled it with his 00' explorer. all off of the bumper.

 

750 lb towing capacity, that's total trailer weight, not tongue weight.

The most I have personally seen is 1,200 lb maximum trailer weight on a bumper hitch.

I am quiet sure that people have towed enormous trailer weights with their bumpers, but not safely. !!!

 

[squirrel dog]

I have two ford explores.One an Eddie B.the other just a regular explorer.They both have a 5000 tow rating with the bumper mounted ball.Would I do this,course not.A 250 lb load on the bumper is akin to someone sitting on it.

 

[bmacd]

maybe i'm just frustrated from trying to get this stupid hitch on (but there's no way it's going to happen!), but is the verdict that it IS or IS NOT safe to use a ball on the bumper of my explorer?

-=bmacd=-

 

I have two ford explores.One an Eddie B.the other just a regular explorer.They both have a 5000 tow rating with the bumper mounted ball.Would I do this,course not.A 250 lb load on the bumper is akin to someone sitting on it.

Do you have a digital camera or a scanner ?

I would like to see the owners manual staement on this

maybe i'm just frustrated from trying to get this stupid hitch on (but there's no way it's going to happen!), but is the verdict that it IS or IS NOT safe to use a ball on the bumper of my explorer?

I wouldn't trust a bumper hitch to tow a trailer with two bikes on it, but that's just me

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: bmacd
maybe i'm just frustrated from trying to get this stupid hitch on (but there's no way it's going to happen!), but is the verdict that it IS or IS NOT safe to use a ball on the bumper of my explorer?

-=bmacd=-

The hole is there for a reason. it was designed to haul a trailer. what is in question is the amount it was rated to haul at.

 

[squirrel dog]

Yes it is safe to use.I have towed 21' Baha speed boats with a bumper mounted ball on a 1 ton truck.Its all about the tongue weight.If your are this apprehensive about it put the trailer with bikes and the trailer level,on a scale and measure the tongue weight.If its 250 or less you are all rite,imho.If this is a fretfull thing,go to a hitch shop and let them install your receiver hitch.In your owners manual you should have the towing info.Also it maybe a good time to see if you a transmission cooler.If not and you plan on towing alot,get one.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Roger
The average trailer weight rating of a standard bumper hitch is 750 lbs.

My father's '91 Explorer had a 3,000 lb bumper rating (300 lbs tongue weight). His '98 Explorer was 3,500 lb with 350 lb tongue weight, and the '99 we have now is rated the same. Towing two motorcycles on an open trailer will be no problem at all on an Explorer's bumper.

Roger is right in general, but the Explorer specifically can put much more weight on the bumper.

ZV

EDIT: Roger, if the manual for my dad's current Explorer wasn't in another state (along with the truck and my dad), I'd get you that scan. Instead, here's a link. Look at the listings for the step-bumper capacity.

 

[squirrel dog]

Rodger,I'm at work,but a quick call to your local Ford dealer should get you that info.

 

[squirrel dog]

I stand corrected,its 3000 lb with the bumper hitch.

 

Rodger,I'm at work,but a quick call to your local Ford dealer should get you that info.

HAHA !

You never worked for a dealer have you ?

Calling up a dealer and asking a tech question ?

I'd rather have all my teeth pulled

 

Dum, da, dum da.......

Zemer has an interesting to post

 

[BooneRebel]

Going back to the first question, I don't think that two bikes on a trailer are going to hit 2000lbs. Not even close. What sort of bikes do you have?

 

[squirrel dog]

No never worked at a dealer,my son in law owns some used car lots,he's out though. Over the years I've pulled 5 different boats,and several utility trailers all with bumper mounted hitch balls,and never had a problem.The 2002 Ram1500 I bought my wife came with a receiver hitch,its my first.I have always measured the tongue weight and got below the load rating for the vehicle.I have towed a 24' spectra speed boat from Baton Rouge to Destin Florida behind a Ford F350 using the bumper hitch.I feel its more of a working knowledge of what you are trying to tow,and its weight .At the RBOC where I'm the area manager we tow 7,000+ machines daily with Chevy 2500 series turbo diesels.But the tongue weight is less than 10% of the towed load,this from our fleet people/safety people.Later............SD............

 

Two big twin Harley's =1,500 lbs
Trailer =500lbs

 

[Zenmervolt]

Since people are missing my edit earlier, LOOK AT THIS LINK! It lists the bumper capacities for various Ford trucks.

ZV