Trailer hitch

[dmac14]

Is the trailer hitch on the bumper of a truck suitable to tow a boat? Or should I look into having a good one installed.

[bass or bass ?]

I wouldn't tow anything heavier than an aluminum 14' utility boat without a proper hitch.

[GTrombly]

my explorer sport bumper could handle like 3000 lbs, depends on your car and the size of your boat, you would probably be better off getting a real hitch.

[NBR]

The heavier bumpers are probably okay for many boats but they most likely are not at the correct height.

[Fishing Rhino]

Anything more than a utility trailer, get a regular hitch.  If you're handy with tools it's a bolt on project.

And, as mentioned you can get the proper height for the ball, rather than making do with the bumper height.

[burleytog]

my explorer sport bumper could handle like 3000 lbs, depends on your car and the size of your boat, you would probably be better off getting a real hitch.

3000 lbs on a bumper hitch?   :-?

[Jig Man]

Check your owner's manual and see what it says.  I hauled bass boats for lots of years with only a bumper ball.

[fmoore]

Check your owner's manual and see what it says. I hauled bass boats for lots of years with only a bumper ball.

Yea, how bout just seeing what the towing capacity of you vehicle is? It usually says on the bumper right by the hitch.....

[GTrombly]

my explorer sport bumper could handle like 3000 lbs, depends on your car and the size of your boat, you would probably be better off getting a real hitch.

3000 lbs on a bumper hitch? :-?

yes, and it it had a 300lb tongue load limit. i pulled it pretty well but now i have an expedition and i cant tell its behind me.

[rodnreel11]

my explorer sport bumper could handle like 3000 lbs, depends on your car and the size of your boat, you would probably be better off getting a real hitch.

3000 lbs on a bumper hitch? :-?

yes, and it it had a 300lb tongue load limit. i pulled it pretty well but now i have an expedition and i cant tell its behind me.

That sounds about right.  I have an Explorer Sport that I use to tow my 18' 6" glass rig and it works just fine.

[fishfordollars]

I tow with an Explorer Sport Trac, but it has the heavier drop down hitch on it. I just don't trust bumpers.

[steezy]

A real hitch is attached to the vehicle frame with heavy duty hardware, the bumper is attached to the vehicle using the cheesy bumper brackets and design to absorb impact not be pulled on so you just have to ask yourself, do you want to risk your bass boat by saving a few dollars and not getting a proper hitch?

[Marshfisher]

my explorer sport bumper could handle like 3000 lbs, depends on your car and the size of your boat, you would probably be better off getting a real hitch.

3000 lbs on a bumper hitch? :-?

yes, and it it had a 300lb tongue load limit. i pulled it pretty well but now i have an expedition and i cant tell its behind me.

This may get me in trouble but I just can't let it go.

Come on! "I can't tell it's behind me". How many times I heard that and it's a bunch of Cr%p. You can tell when anything is hooked to the back of a vehicle unless you drunk, on crack, or drive so slow you would never know anyway. I have an F-250 SD and can tell a difference in driving and handling when I have a 15' boat attached.

[Tpayneful]

My 2004 F150 bumper is rated for 5000lbs and 500lb tongue weight.  It can tow any bass boat imaginable.  There are only two drawbacks.  The ride height is too high and your turning radius is reduced because the trailer will hit the bumper on tight turns.  If you only tow short distances to your favorite fishing hole, the bumper is a good option.

I added a drop hitch when I got my new boat because it had a dual axle trailer and I need the ride height to be corrrect so I don't wear out one set of tires faster than the others. 

[GTrombly]

my explorer sport bumper could handle like 3000 lbs, depends on your car and the size of your boat, you would probably be better off getting a real hitch.

3000 lbs on a bumper hitch? :-?

yes, and it it had a 300lb tongue load limit. i pulled it pretty well but now i have an expedition and i cant tell its behind me.

This may get me in trouble but I just can't let it go.

Come on! "I can't tell it's behind me". How many times I heard that and it's a bunch of Cr%p. You can tell when anything is hooked to the back of a vehicle unless you drunk, on crack, or drive so slow you would never know anyway. I have an F-250 SD and can tell a difference in driving and handling when I have a 15' boat attached.

No i really can't notice it is behind me. It is not crap, my Expedition is beastly and my boat only weighs like 2500 lbs with the trailer.

[evrgladesbasser]

my explorer sport bumper could handle like 3000 lbs, depends on your car and the size of your boat, you would probably be better off getting a real hitch.

3000 lbs on a bumper hitch? :-?

yes, and it it had a 300lb tongue load limit. i pulled it pretty well but now i have an expedition and i cant tell its behind me.

This may get me in trouble but I just can't let it go.

Come on! "I can't tell it's behind me". How many times I heard that and it's a bunch of Cr%p. You can tell when anything is hooked to the back of a vehicle unless you drunk, on crack, or drive so slow you would never know anyway. I have an F-250 SD and can tell a difference in driving and handling when I have a 15' boat attached.

I disagree with you, I pull an 18ft boat behind my truck and can't tell it's there. Given I'm driving a 2500HD with a 15000lb tow rate, but still, my truck doesn't miss a beat. I do have a reese hitch, and YES, I would recommend that to anyone who is going to tow.

p.s.- I don't drive drunk, on crack, and definetely not slow

[Glenn]

my explorer sport bumper could handle like 3000 lbs, depends on your car and the size of your boat, you would probably be better off getting a real hitch.

3000 lbs on a bumper hitch? :-?

yes, and it it had a 300lb tongue load limit. i pulled it pretty well but now i have an expedition and i cant tell its behind me.

This may get me in trouble but I just can't let it go.

Come on! "I can't tell it's behind me". How many times I heard that and it's a bunch of Cr%p. You can tell when anything is hooked to the back of a vehicle unless you drunk, on crack, or drive so slow you would never know anyway. I have an F-250 SD and can tell a difference in driving and handling when I have a 15' boat attached.

I disagree with you, I pull an 18ft boat behind my truck and can't tell it's there. Given I'm driving a 2500HD with a 15000lb tow rate, but still, my truck doesn't miss a beat. I do have a reese hitch, and YES, I would recommend that to anyone who is going to tow.

p.s.- I don't drive drunk, on crack, and definetely not slow

I have a fully rigged 520 Ranger Commanche.  When I tow it with my F-250, I definitely know it's there.  But with my F-450 I have to keep looking back to see if it's still there - seriously, no joke.  I can't feel it and the truck acts like it's not there.

You never would have convinced me before I did it.  I literally had to experience it to believe it.  Now I know better. It's possible.

[burleytog]

Pulling a Tracker PT185 with an F250, if I didn't look in my mirror, I wouldn't know it was there.  The only time that truck knows it's pulling something is when there's a 5000+ lb. load behind it.

[GTrombly]

I am glad everyone agrees with me, maybe he tows in 4wd. That would change the handling. Now where did i put my beer and crack pipe.

[Mike Z]

Sorry, but if you are towing a boat behind you and you "don't notice it is there" then you aren't paying attention to your vehicle when you are normally in it. there is no way that a vehicle towing an extra 2,000 lbs doesn't take longer to accelerate or use more gas, or take longer to stop, or use more pedal pressure to stop. Once on the highway then maybe the ride would seem the same if you put the cruise on, but going up and down hills there would be a difference.

I have a full size GMC and notice even 400lbs in the back of my truck and friends have Fords that you can tell the same thing. (even driving an E-350 you can tell when you have a small load) Once you get to know the characteristics of how your truck handles during day to day driving, you can ALWAYS tell if there is something abnormal, even feeling like you have to apply more pedal to stop or go.

[burleytog]

Sorry, but if you are towing a boat behind you and you "don't notice it is there" then you aren't paying attention to your vehicle when you are normally in it. there is no way that a vehicle towing an extra 2,000 lbs doesn't take longer to accelerate or use more gas, or take longer to stop, or use more pedal pressure to stop. Once on the highway then maybe the ride would seem the same if you put the cruise on, but going up and down hills there would be a difference.

I have a full size GMC and notice even 400lbs in the back of my truck and friends have Fords that you can tell the same thing. (even driving an E-350 you can tell when you have a small load) Once you get to know the characteristics of how your truck handles during day to day driving, you can ALWAYS tell if there is something abnormal, even feeling like you have to apply more pedal to stop or go.

Go pull something with an F250 Powerstroke and get back to me.

[urp]

If you do any traveling at all, over time the bumper will come loose. Get a hitch.