bumper mount hitch

[Pilot Laslo]

Has anyone installed a bumper mount trailer hitch receiver?
I'd like to install the hitch that mounts to the frame but dont like how it hangs down so low, (makes truck look lower)
I purchased this from HF https://www.harborfreight.com/3500-lb-step-bumper-receiver-69673.html
but its way to big to mount onto the tiny bumper step on the ranger...
has anyone modified their bumper or found a alternative?

I dont need it to tow anything heavy, only will use it to tug around 1,000-2,000 lbs airplanes

 

[Blmpkn]

Has anyone installed a bumper mount trailer hitch receiver?
I'd like to install the hitch that mounts to the frame but dont like how it hangs down so low, (makes truck look lower)
I purchased this from HF https://www.harborfreight.com/3500-lb-step-bumper-receiver-69673.html
but its way to big to mount onto the tiny bumper step on the ranger...
has anyone modified their bumper or found a alternative?

I dont need it to tow anything heavy, only will use it to tug around 1,000-2,000 lbs airplanes

If your just tugging them around on a runway in/out of hangers or whatever I don't see why you couldn't just use the bumper.

 

[Pilot Laslo]

If your just tugging them around on a runway in/out of hangers or whatever I don't see why you couldn't just use the bumper.

I need a receiver to attach a pintle hitch to

Maybe I could somehow fabricate a bracket to mount to bumper that I could mount this to?

 

[Roert42]

custom bumper made of 2x4 tubing with a hitch mounted in the center, license tag mounted off to the side.

 

[Pilot Laslo]

If I grinded the bumper on the red lines I drew I could mount my HF bumper hitch
Would grinding the angle part greatly reduce the bumpers strength?

 

[Pilot Laslo]

The option I’m leaning towards right now is to mount it like this

the drawback is it only has 2 points of contact which is the angles of the bumper as seen in photo, would this provide enough strength?

 

[Blmpkn]

If I grinded the bumper on the red lines I drew I could mount my HF bumper hitch
Would grinding the angle part greatly reduce the bumpers strength?
View attachment 61837View attachment 61838

I don't think it would reduce strength enough to create an issue for your application.

 

[Pilot Laslo]

I don't think it would reduce strength enough to create an issue for your application.

How about mounting it as seen in my latest post? I’d use only 2 bolts in the middle of each side so I could quickly release it if I need to add a ball to bumper to pull a heavy trailer…

 

[Blmpkn]

How about mounting it as seen in my latest post? I’d use only 2 bolts in the middle of each side so I could quickly release it if I need to add a ball to bumper to pull a heavy trailer…

I don't see why that wouldn't work. As long as you use a good bolt.. a grade 8 3/8" bolt for example shouldn't shear until almost 7k pounds.. so flat towing 2k lbs at max should be no sweat.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I would just put a hitch on it and call it a day... then you can actually use it to tow something. I believe these come out tight to the bottom of the bumper.

Amazon.com: CURT 13138 Class 3 Trailer Hitch, 2-Inch Receiver, Compatible with Select Mazda B2300, B3000, B4000, Ford Ranger: Automotive

Edit... and if you grid or cut out the portion of the bumper you suggested... it will seriously weaken the bumper and I certainly wouldn't use a bumper ball to tow anything.

 

[Pilot Laslo]

I would just put a hitch on it and call it a day... then you can actually use it to tow something. I believe these come out tight to the bottom of the bumper.

Amazon.com: CURT 13138 Class 3 Trailer Hitch, 2-Inch Receiver, Compatible with Select Mazda B2300, B3000, B4000, Ford Ranger: Automotive

Edit... and if you grid or cut out the portion of the bumper you suggested... it will seriously weaken the bumper and I certainly wouldn't use a bumper ball to tow anything.

going to scrap yard tommorow to look for one

 

[scotts90ranger]

Yeah, not all frame mount hitches are created equal, the Curt universal I have on my '97 sits low, but there are some that hug the bottom of the stock bumper.

I have one of those bolt on receivers on my '90, but it's on a fabricated bumper with like 3/4" bolts, I've done a tractor pull a few times with it, it is there... but I wouldn't cut the stock bumper like that, those bends are there for strength, it would get flimsy. If anything, space it down with a small piece of C channel or something, but a frame mount would be better...

 

[Pilot Laslo]

only could find 1 hitch at the pull-a-part scrap yard, although its a bolt on type someone decided to weld it on to the frame also...
Pull-a-part doesnt allow power saw, so I have no clue how i can take it off.
If i can remove it it will only cost me $30
anyone have any ideas of how to cut the weld without any powertools, and not taking 3 hours with a handsaw?

 

[Pilot Laslo]

do yall think a mini hacksaw would cut the weld efficiently?

 

[Uncle Gump]

Did you ask how much if they took it out?

Or offer the yard man a few dollars to help you out with the torch...