Bumper towing

hey guys if you can help me here, it would be great. I have a hobie 16 that i wanna tow, but my tacoma didn't come with the tow package. i don't want to spend more than i have to so i am going to bumper tow it. the trailer and boat weigh about 600lbs so the bumper will be fine. I want to know how you remove the plastic cover on the bumper that conseals the pre-tapped holes for the ball hitch. Can anyone tell me how to get it off?

 

I, too, pull a small boat with the 4 cylinder engine and considered using the bumper to tow it. I've towed using the bumper on previous trucks but went with a Curt Class III hitch for this truck.

The hitch puts the stress of towing solidly on the truck's frame. The bumper is at the very end of the frame and puts the stress all on the end.

You also have the opportunity with a hitch to get a drawbar that allows your Hobie to ride level. With the bumper you get what there is and that's it.

Look at etrailer.com for a selection of hitches or just go to your local U-Haul dealer. He'll put one on at a very competitive price.

 

I got the Curt as well. Consider it a heavy duty frame stiffener .... half an X-brace ... You can rationalize it one way or another to make the "upgrade"

 

Basically it pops out if I remember correctly. Use a flat screwdriver that is small enough to get under it without marring the edge. And there is no need for a receiver hitch in your situation. The only downside to towing from the bumper is the height of the ball. It has a beefy subframe inside the bumper anyhow.