Existing threaded trailer hitch on bumper

[toadshade]

I was looking at that threaded 4 bolt hitch plate on the rear bumper. It seems pretty darn stout to me. I wanted to know if there have been any problems using it (until I rebuild a new bumper). When I bought the truck, it came with a nice receiver but it did not take long to realize that it really gets in the way. It lowers the back end and dramatically affects my rear clearance. I want that receiver off. But I am not going to be able to buy/build a new rear end soon. I do not do a lot of heavy pulling. I just wanted to know if that thing was worth using. Looks fine to me and it would improve my clearance tremendously. I might even raise a pole off it and stick my tire there since that is in a bad place too. Put a hitch pin on it so I can get in the back.

 

[Douglas S]

It's designed for a pintle. I use mine to tow my M101cdn trailer (with a safety chain plate), I personally wouldn't use it for anything much larger than that.

 

[toadshade]

pintle. Gotta look that one up. But thanks. I have a 6x10 medium duty utility trailer that I haul a little firewood and home depot runs. so I am sure I would be fine.

 

[canman]

Lots of threads on using/not using it to tow. Few years back, I found a thread from UK/Aus where some engineer said it was rated for 3000 or 3500 kgs. Personally, I would use it to tow that much. Would really like to get this...

 

[toadshade]

Oh man that was cool. I don't even want to know how much that mother costs.

 

[inkpot]

It's designed for a pintle. I use mine to tow my M101cdn trailer (with a safety chain plate), I personally wouldn't use it for anything much larger than that.

You can bolt a pintle or a ball hitch onto that bumper. It is a standard bolt pattern. The upper two holes are threaded and the lower two are not. On my rig I used a combo pintle with a ball on the bottom. I have pulled military Hummer trailers with no problem. Just search for trailer hitch and you will find lots of different ones that will fit.

 

[Douglas S]

You can bolt a pintle or a ball hitch onto that bumper. It is a standard bolt pattern. The upper two holes are threaded and the lower two are not. On my rig I used a combo pintle with a ball on the bottom. I have pulled military Hummer trailers with no problem. Just search for trailer hitch and you will find lots of different ones that will fit.

I used the combo as well, but there was a lot of play with the military lunette on my trailer.

Recently switched out to a standard 5 ton pintle and it is much quieter.

 

[toadshade]

Well, at least I feel confident in getting rid of the aftermarket receiver. Although another post mentioned that it might get in the way, but it really saves the bottom end when being dragged. I can see that, but that extra bit of clearance can get you free from bottoming out I feel.

 

[canman]

Have had my rear hitch on ever since I started wheeling 7 yrs ago. Yes it drags, but I would keep it until you have a bumper ready to install. Hasn't really got me hung up bad yet.

 

[toadshade]

True. Just hate feeling it when I know it does not have to be there. I was looking up that Variobloc. Hard to find info on it here in US. I am really interested in that thing.

 

[inkpot]

It's a trade off. More protectio n OR more clearance. Can't have both with a stock bumper. Budget for something like the 4x4 Labs with the 2" hitch receiver built in. Gotta trim the frame but it's well worth it for max clearance and still able to tow a good load.

 

[toadshade]

Yeah. That is more like it. I am going to have to get some tubing and start playing around with that idea. Sometimes it sucks being a welder/fabricator. I cannot make myself buy something like that.

 

[Tools R Us]

If you are a welder and not a designer, don't have a brake, etc, 4X4Labs sells a kit, you weld it together, mod as you see fit.

 

[toadshade]

Wow, perfect. That would be great. I am looking that up now. Figures it is a holiday weekend. Thanks!

 

[canman]

True. Just hate feeling it when I know it does not have to be there. I was looking up that Variobloc. Hard to find info on it here in US. I am really interested in that thing.

Did some researchers while back. I think there may be a distributor in NA. Cost for just the base plate and adapter was ~ €325-€400 in EU. May ask a buddy living in Sweden to order one for me when the time comes. They do come up for sale though on eBay type sites in European countries. Some screen shots from previous searches...

 

[toadshade]

Youch! But I should have expected that. I think it is worth it but it is out of my price range for now. My 80 needs a new set of shoes! If you ever get some type of deal from Sweden, then let me know. Maybe we can split some savings on shipping. I still love it though. Especially the winch. It would be great to have one on the front AND back.