Curt #E-3S hitch experience?

Has anyone mounted the Curt #E3-S under mount hitch to step bumper? I am looking into maybe installing on my 2011.

Please leave out the lectures re: limitations of step bumper towing, etc. as it really is not an option for me to install a proper trailer hitch as I have an 80L propane tank under mounted to my truck where a hitch would be installed, so no room. Secondly, my towing needs are well under 3500 lb ( cap of tacoma step bumper ), so no worries there.

Thanks

 

Are you referring to a bumper towing ball ? If so I have one mounted on my truck. If you look at your owners manual it will tell you what your capacity is for a bumper towing ball. I have towed about 2000 pounds on it before, at 55 miles per hour, for 1 hour.

 

I think what you are talking about is a receiver which bolts to the bottom of the bumper. If so, I would recommend reinforcing the mounts of your bumper to the frame. I used one of those on my T100 and the bumper mounts broke. I did not weigh the loads I was towing, but I am reasonably they were under 1500 pounds. A lot of the towing was over a fairly rough mountain road, however.

 

A little bit of custom fabrication goes a long way.
As for the under-bumper receiver extension, that is probably not a great idea unless you use a LIFT hitch to keep the ball at roughly the same height as it would be if it were mounted directly in the hole in the bumper. It just is not designed to twist that way.

 

Can you actually upload a pic so I can see what you're dealing with.