Hey guys looking for some help on this topic. I have a 1992 F150 Flareside so it has minimal bed room but I am starting a landscaping business. I am thinking about getting a 4x8 trailer for my other equipment. I have a chrome rear bumper with a metal step in the middle with a hole drilled in it, If I buy a ball hitch and tow with my bumper, will it rip it off my truck? My guess is I will be towing around 1000 pounds with the trailer. Any help or suggestions would be great.

-Tony

 

Your probably not going to want to do that.

 

buy a proper trailer hitch, you can clam it as business expence

 

3 reasons why you want to buy the proper hitch

1. The receiver hitch is much more versatile, and easier to change ball sizes.
2. The receiver hitch is much stronger and you'll never need to worry about breaking it.
3. Usually, when towing off the bumper, the trailer tongue is too high for the trailer to ride flat. A receiver with a drop draw-bar is usually necessary.

Basically, its cheap enough to do right

 

Yep, get a class III or IV installed on your truck. It's really not that expensive, you can do it yourself and save some more money. You might want a friend to help out with lifting and aligning it. When measuring your drop, you want the base of the ball to be 18'' off the ground.

I know you're just getting started, but why would you want such a small trailer? If your business takes off you will need a larger one so it's best to buy a larger one up front. Don't forget to buy insurance for your business.

 

For the price, get a class IV hitch. The Class III is what the factory rear bumper is but your just adding a receiver tube. You can pull off the bumper, but it is not at all pretty and the truck and trailer will ride extremely poorly. I have a Class V on my f150 and it more than exceeds my needs. Trailer wise, I'd recommend a 6x12 single 3500 lb axle or 5000lb if you think you might be towing something heavier. I have a 6x12 I pull around all the time. I also have a 6.5x20 with tandem 7000lb axles, but that's probably way more than what you need.

I'm not sending this from my iPhone while driving.

 

It's funny how nowadays we think you have to have a receiver to tow. Back before the early 90's most 1/2 tons came with a step and tow rear bumper. If the trailer lines up with the bumper OK, I say go for it as long as you're only pulling what the truck is rated for.

 

yea but trucks today are lots higher and i think the bumpers are a little chintzier, I would get the class IV and not worry about it, they are only around 300$ and you just might want to pull a heavier trailer someday.

 

I pull off my rear bumper. Receivers just make the hookup easier and ride better. With an OE bumper, a lot of times you will have to physically lift the tongue up cause most trailer jacks don't go that high. The biggest thing is not maxing out the rear bumper. I used to use a hilift to jack the tongue up high enough just to get the trailer hooked up before I built a tow bumper.

I'm not sending this from my iPhone while driving.

 

He's talking about using a 92 Flareside, they're not very tall.