Hi All, This is either a silly, a stupid, or just a dumb question, but here goes...

My '11 XL RCSB (3.7), which was a commercial vehicle, has the towing package. The rear bumper curves downward at each end from the center and has not had a ball installed on it. I have seen this on some other trucks, all light duty like mine, and one explanation I have been given is that the tongue weight on the receiver was more than allowed at some point{s}, possibly causing frame rail damage. Nothing seems damaged. What are y'all's thoughts.

If so, is this something that the re enforced rear bumper is designed to prevent?

Before towing a Miata on an auto transporter I thought I might at least ask. :}

TIA,
Brad

 

You'd have to put A LOT of extra weight to bend the receiver unless it is a ball on the bumper itself and not a receiver bolted between the bumper and frame.

 

Putting too much tongue weight on the bumper would make the ends point UP (like a smile) - not down (like a frown).

 

AFIK the weight was on the receiver, no ball was used on the bumper. From the condition of the bed's interior, there has been considerable weight in there also.

Brad

 

Pictures of the bumper and bed?

Crawl under the truck and check that the frame rails are square to each other. I doubt they are, you'd really have to put a **** ton in the bed to bend the rails, and a lot of other stuff is going to give first.

 

I will try for a photo. Visually it seems okay, underneath, but checking for square between the rails is a good idea.

Brad

 

What industry was the truck previously used in?

 

Per the data I received when I purchased the truck it was with a replacement window business.
From the condition of two other trucks for sale from the same company I guessed rhat all three hauled some masonary also.

Brad

 

No. The "reinforced' rear bumper that is part of the max tow pkg is a misnomer.

The frame of the rear bumper has three different center sections, or "reinforcements".

1]Standard on low-trim-level F-150s is a plain piece that ties the two ends together without a receiver.

2] With the optional receiver hitch or the regular tow pkg, Ford adds the Class III receiver to that center reinforcement.

3] With the optional max tow pkg, you get the "upgraded rear bumper" which actually means the slightly heavier-duty receiver in the center section of the frame of the rear bumper.

If your receiver is actually bent, I suspect it was caused by some idiot trying to tow with more than 500 pounds TW on a WC hitch.

If your receiver is bent, then you can buy a new center "reinforcement" section of the rear bumper. Here is a link to a good Ford discount parts dealer that shows the three different center "reinforcement" parts of the rear bumper: Scroll down to part ID # "7".
https://parts.autonationfordwhitebea...omponents-rear

 

After spending some quality time under the truck between rain showers, there is nothing wrong with the receiver or with the frame, just the two piece bumper. I might be able to straighten each out with a little grunt work.

The receiver has two ratings, one is (all lb.) 10,500 trailer/1,050 tongue weights and then 5,000 trailer/500 tongue weight. I suppose the lessor is for the bumper it self. Class III?

Thanks to one and all who responded and helped me learn that it couldn't happen because it towed more than it's rating.

Brad

PS I can't attach the photo from this PC, but I will ASAP.