Towing with just the bumper??

[firebladetoronto]

Has anyone towed anything just using that screw in thing for the ball that is located on the bumper. How well does it do and what is the maximum tow weight?

Thanks

[jeddclampette]

The bumper tow method places the hitch ball really high up there; so you will want to look into matching the trailer's hitch w/ this bumper's height.

I've seen trucks tow a couple of dirt bikes, one 4wheeler, or a jet ski trailer using the bumper fashion. THese powersports toys usually tip the scale at around 1000-1500 lbs w/ a tongue weight between 40-80 lbs.

ANd I've seen trucks bumper tow one of those open grated trailers you can rent for $25/day and stuffed w/ furniture and appliances for apartment moves.

Has anyone towed anything just using that screw in thing for the ball that is located on the bumper. How well does it do and what is the maximum tow weight?

Thanks

[Yitbos]

Has anyone towed anything just using that screw in thing for the ball that is located on the bumper. How well does it do and what is the maximum tow weight?

Thanks

From my past tows, not w/ my Tundra, I would not recommend it. I've damaged serval bumbers with weight well below the bumper max. Spend a few hundred bucks and get a hitch installed.

[firebladetoronto]

So what is the purpose of the bumper tow if it is not very strong?? Is it just for emergencies?

[charlie]

The bumper tow is for light duty towing-hauling 500lbs of stuff in a utility trailer down to the dump-that sort of thing.I wouldn't use it to tow cross country,or to tow say,a loaded car trailer.It is just quick cheap way to do light duty hauling.Stay well under the limit,and no problem.Now,as is mentioned above,if you intend to do frequent,serious hauling,spend ~$150(if you self install)and get a hitch-Class 4.Charlie

[MCoupe]

I looked into doing this for a brief stint early on. What I quickly realized is that with the bumper ball, you have nowhere to hook the two safety chains that essentially all trailers have. So buying a ball PLUS two hooks would probably cost more than the $80 my real class 3 hitch cost, on ebay.

[Bbbutch]

I've seen lots of broken bumpers with the ball ripped right out of it. Pieces of bumper still bolted to the ball.
For myself I would never tow anything but the very lightest trailer and not very far and not often with a bumper.