Bumper Towing
03-13-2013, 11:50 AM
#2
Grumpy Old Man
There should be a sticker or embossed area on the bumper that has the max weights. My 1999 F-250 bumper said 500/5000 WC. 1995 F-150 with factory step bumper is probably also 500/5000 WC. That means 500 pounds max hitch weight which is probably your limiter. The 5000 is max trailer weight, but it will be your limiter only if you have a wagon style trailer with very little hitch weight. The WC means weight carrying hitch, but that's the only type of hitch you can use with the ball mounted in the rear step bumper. And if the ball is not also rated for at least 500/5000 pounds, then the weight rating of the ball becomes your limiter.
But my 2012 F-150 rear step bumper does not include the weight limits. It has has an embossed area that says to see the Owner's Guide. My Owner's guide says something to the effect "Do not tow a trailer that weighs more than 5000 pounds when using the bumper hitch."
If your bumper doesn't include the hitch weight specs, then assume 500 pounds max tongue (hitch) weight is the limit. And understand that a tandem-axle trailer that weighs 5,000 pounds will probably have a hitch weight of about 600 to 750 pounds. So use a tongue weight scale to be sure you don't overload the bumper.
But my 2012 F-150 rear step bumper does not include the weight limits. It has has an embossed area that says to see the Owner's Guide. My Owner's guide says something to the effect "Do not tow a trailer that weighs more than 5000 pounds when using the bumper hitch."
If your bumper doesn't include the hitch weight specs, then assume 500 pounds max tongue (hitch) weight is the limit. And understand that a tandem-axle trailer that weighs 5,000 pounds will probably have a hitch weight of about 600 to 750 pounds. So use a tongue weight scale to be sure you don't overload the bumper.
Last edited by smokeywren; 03-13-2013 at 11:59 AM.
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Country Cadillac (03-14-2013)
03-13-2013, 12:30 PM
#3
Senior Member
I would guess for that year you are either 200/2000 or 350/3500 (Tongue Weight/Total Weight). But as mentioned above it should be listed in the bumper itself.
03-20-2013, 03:03 AM
#4
Wow! Those are some low useless numbers. Many, many, many, many, etc. guys I used to see moving full racks of hay or a single full gravity box (200-350bu) with the factory bumper of one. The hay would be min 7k, the grain more in the range of 13k-19k and I never heard of a single bumper ripping off. Same bumper that was put on the old 3/4 and 1 tons and never knew of one coming off unless it was because of rust damage over the years.
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wintersucks (04-01-2013)