jdaniels138

I need to tow a car (less than 3k lbs) using a Uhaul tow dolly ~400 miles. Their site and rep says it's ok to use a hitch ball (3,500 lbs. minimum weight-carrying rating) in the step bumper.

I don't want to install a hitch for a one time tow if I don't need to.

Let me know if this is a good or bad idea.

JD

C Dillon Go

I would'nt do it... "again" I slightly bent my bumper brackets towing a small UHaul full of luggage.
Probly what did it was the bounce from the road along with the wieght, not just the initial tounge wieght sittin in the parking lot.

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ddmau

I'd be a little skeptical....it would probably work, but I always try to err on the side of caution.....and I'd be a nervous wreck after 400 miles of towing like that..... I used to tow a bike trailer with two Harleys (only about 2000 Lbs) with an Explorer and just the bumper hitch, and it was no fun at all.....not very stable. There were many times that it felt like the trailer was steering ME, not the other way around. A good hitch will make the trip a lot more pleasant, and far safer - believe me.

If you are going to rent the tow dolly, see if you can also rent the hitch (U-Haul used to rent them, and so did a few other places.....don't know if they still do). If not, a class II or Class III receiver hitch is really not that expensive.....and worth every penny.....
JMHO

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Tazz

I towed a Ford Probe with the Uhaul tow dolly on my 01 HD 300 miles with no problems on the bumper. You just have to be sensible and drive careful. I never went over 55-60Mph always allowed at least 3X as much distance before a stop and inflated my rear tires about 5psi more.
Tazz

jdaniels138

Cool...

Thanks for the input guys...

I'll let you know how things turn out. I'm leaning toward the hitch ball in the bumper as this is the first time in 6 years I've ever had to tow something and it will probably be a long while before I have to do this ago. I'll keep the speed low and make sure the tires are well inflated. I did some looking around under the truck today and the bumper is attached pretty good to the frame and I now see the black painted piece on top is just a cover. So I feel a little better now that I see it's all steel on steel. Heading out to find the right ball...

JD

marioec

Don't due it !! your going to f@#& your bumper up.

Harley#356

Yep I'd suggest against doing it as well.

I've only towed ONCE with my 00 HD, and the hitch was well worth the investement. Towed a hyundai accent from NJ to SC on a uhaul dolly. When I got back, I still found use for the hitch. I put the reciever in it whenever I'd have to park on the street at work, so nobody would pull into my bumper. And also you can stick a HD logo reciever cover in there when you're not using it.

Heck if you were local, I'd let you borrow mine. It's 6 bolts and you can install/remove it in a matter of 5 minutes.

I'd either try to at least buy one used, or rent one. It's cheaper than replacing a bent bumper, or repainting a scratched up bumper, or getting stuck with a smashed up license plate

jdaniels138

I heard enough people warning against this so I've ordered a hidden hitch setup from etrailer.com. It was $170 for everything (hitch, receiver bar, ball & pin/clip). It's not the one that goes behind the plate but it only shows the receiver under the bumper.

It should be here in a few days and I'll install it for the weekend trip.

Thanks again for the help.

JD

jdaniels138

I received the hitch today and installed it.

Where can I find a HD logo reciever cover? There is a HD shop near me I'll try there tomorrow...

JD

'02 H-D #677

Step-bumper towing?! ...

'02 H-D #677

If you have an '03? ... get the 100th Anniversary hitch plug!

Harley#356

They should have a bunch, and then Ebay is always a good sources. I got a HD logo one, and a maltese cross one off ebay a few years back for pretty cheap.

uh the last thing you need to do is put duplicate emblems on the same side of the truck lol. ONE anniversary emblem, and ONE ford emblem is plenty per each side If you've got an 03 with a 100th anniv hitch plug, you may as well remove the blue oval for another 100th anniv emblem, so at least the 3 emblems on the rear all match instead of 2 of the 3

jdaniels138

Wow there is a sea of plugs out there ranging from ~$20 to ~$700.

Yeah don't want to many HD badges nor Ford, just want something different to plug that square hole.

JD

TX Harley Guy

You could have used my hitch, I only put it on when I tow something.
I dont look on here much, sorry JD

Thunderchicken

U-Haul has a couple plugs, (cheap). One is plastic chrome and the other is solid black. The chrome one fits on the reciever pin and the black on is press in fit. Both look ok and don't draw attention to the reciever like something big and flashy. IMHO...