my truck came with just the ball on the bumper to tow with...i'm surious to how much weight you can actully tow with this. has anyone ever really used it or do most people just buy a hitch?

i really dont tow anything right now but i am just curious to if the ball is even useful.

thanks

 

i beleave it says like what 2000lb.. it is NOT A GOOD IDEA.. go get a hitch.. should run you around $100 good money spent.. hell it can be cheaper if you find one in a junk yard or on craigslist

 

You can bet that if Ford put a ball on the bumper or a hole to put a ball in that it is safe to haul what Ford lists it at. You don't really think they are going to put a ball on a bumper that won't carry the weight and then be subject to a law suit do you? I don't think Ford is that stupid.

 

LOL

It's rated for 2000 lbs on the bumper, but get a hitch. Over time the trailer weight WILL pull your bumper down.

 

A hitch is much stronger. Get one if you are planning on towing anything.

 

I got my hitch off a front wrecked '01 edge w/ 15k on the clock. I got it for $50. Your bumper will bend. It's only rated at like 200tongue weight and like 2000trailer gross wt.

Get a reciever. Class 3.

 

just tie your trailer to your frame with some chains or something and spend the money for a hitch on beer or something......thats a way better idea.....

 

Look, if the bumper says it's good for 2000 lb then it will do it. I have used a bumper ball to haul some heavy loads at and slightly over the rating and my bumpers never gave me any trouble. Your not supposed to have 2000 lb on the tongue, it's the loaded weight of the trailer. The tongue weight should only be about 150 lb max.

My 2003 Ranger has a factory Reese hitch on it and the trk is rated to pull 6000 lb. I don't think I am going to be stupid enough to try it. I didn't buy the trk for the hitch, I bought the trk and it was part of the package.

Have you ever had the tail wag the dog? If you have you'll be very carefull about how much the trailer weighs and the balance of the load. If the trailer weighs more than the trk you have a problem right off the bat.

He said he don't plan to haul anything, he's just curious.

 

i also have the hitch ball just on the bumper. i also have a 4 banger with manual trans.! the bumper is rated for a 2000lb trailer and 200lbs tongue weight.
200 lbs is a lot..!! ..probably way more than on a 2000lb trailer unless the load is way off balance. anyway i towed a boat and trailer that weighed almost exactly 2000lbs with no problems at all.

i would estimate that the tongue weight for that trailer was no more than 50-75 lbs.

personally i don't think my little 4 cyl engine could tow more than 2000lbs anyway, lol.