Can I tow a 16ft bass boat with just the bumper ball? Or do I need to get a hitch?

It's A 91 f150 5.0. E40D auto.

Pulling the boat almost 300 miles from St. Louis to Nashville.

 

Unless you have a heavy trailer I wouldn't foresee any problems, you really need to get the trailers weight and the boats weight w/motor to be for sure.

Also check tongue weight, probably won't be much because boats are usually centered over the axles. This is assuming that your mounts and frame are all in good condition.

 

Yeah truck is good. No real rust spots. Truck has been in the south all its life.

And correction the boat is 19ft long. Father in law is letting me borrow it. I just don't have a hitch. But I do have the Ball in the bumper.

 

You should have a hitch. Bumper ball doesn't cut it.

 

If you were keeping the boat the hitch is better. Sounds like the ball will work just fine for every now and then towing.

 

Just get a hitch for your truck. Im a volunteer firefighter and trust my there are more wrecks caused by the bumper or bumper brackets bending or breaking than you think. You may be fine with just the bumper but the cost of the hitch is worth the extra safety for you and those around you.

 

Exactly right. It's always better to have more hitch than you need than less.

 

Most bent bumpers are because people hang the trailer on something, And continue to use it.

 

Another reason to get a hitch is that in some states its considered illegal to have a ball on the bumper cause it blocks veiw of you plate. I know it sounds ridiculous but i was stopped and ticketed for it about 6 years ago.

 

I personally hauled my 16ft 1964 Larson with a Buick V6 inboard engine on the bumper of our old 86 F150 302 AOD. Would I ever do it again NO! Get a hitch I hate towing on the bumper.
Trav