Putting a hitch ball on the bumper 89 bronco

[sylert]

my bumper has a hole right behind the license plate..can I just drop a hitch ball into there? does it need any type of re-enforcement or is the bumper strong enough itself? also does anyone know how much weight you could tow/pull with a ball connected that way?

thanks

Sylert

 

[Yardape]

Its designed to take a trailer ball. Thats what its there for, assuming your bumper, frame and bumper bracket bolts are in good shape you would be fine towing from there. Basically its only for utility trailers, or small fishing boats, That sort of thing. What do you plan on hauling? The first year I had my Bronco my buddy broke an axle on the trail and I had to drag him out, I had no tow point installed yet so I put a shackle through that hole and hooked the tow strap to that. The shackle pulled through that hole, tore the bumper like it was plastic. We made it off the trail but I couldnt believe it tore the bumper like that. So the moral of the story is you cant go too heavy, just use common sense.

 

[GSUEagles]

There is usually a weight rating stamped into the bumper, somewhere around the step portion. Depending on the condition of your bumper (are the mounts rusted through, etc) I wouldn't tow more than about 2500-3000 lbs with a good bumper and good mounts.

Frame mounted hitches aren't that much money anymore. You can probably get one for around $100. Not much $$ for peace of mind.

 

[shift1313]

i have pulled a car on a tow dolly with one but i wouldnt do it again. If you look under the bumper there are some extra braces there but chances are the mounting points arent what they used to be. If you have the correct size ball in there and you dont have a ton of tongue weight you should be fine but i too would put the limit around 3k with healthy supports. I pulled a 2800lb car.

 

[sylert]

i dont think i would tow anything too large, everything is in pretty decent shape rust wise lol. I would probably just tow a small trailor or at most my motorcycle tops 1000lbs. I just wasnt sure if i should be messin with it...Ive seen people with like caravans with hitches on the style bumper but i thought it was for looks! Besides my body has a 6in lift so its not easy to be towing from that height unless i offest it. im assuming they sell adapters for that kind of stuff as well. I apologize for the newbness its my first truck, used to cars low to the ground!!

 

[Yardape]

Since you have a lift you should seriously consider a receiver hitch. They are pretty cheap, just over 100 bux brand new. Almost every truck has one in the scrapyard. They are easy to mount, they just bolt to the bottom of the frame. That way you can buy a drop hitch so your trailer sits level and safe. Your bumper will haul that weight, but I would be worried about the angle.

 

[shift1313]

double that. with a 6" body lift is very unsafe by itself but you add pulling something on those tall spacers. I wouldnt tow anything from it in that case.

 

[sylert]

yeah i figured it was way to high but i know they make drop hitches...im going to look into it see if anyone else has done something similiar! hopefully i can see some pics or something