Towing with aftermarket offroad rear bumper

I'm going to eventually get an aftermarket offroad bumper with integrated receiver and spare tire carrier. I occasionally haul a trailer and have plans to buy a camper soon. Also in the plans eventually will be a couple ATV's. The camper will likely be the heaviest thing I will ever tow on a recurrent basis. Once I have it, I would expect that I would tow it 2-3 times per month, mostly within 200 miles, other than an occasional road trip, like towing it to Yellowstone next year (from VA).

How do most of the better quality aftermarket bumpers compare to the factory receiver? Stronger, the same, not as strong? I will obviously need to buy a longer hitch to offset the higher receiver - will this cause any significant change in towing capacity, or are the longer ones built well enough to compensate for the longer length?

 

Depends on the fabricator. I know @Pelfreybilt, @RelentlessFab, and @Bruteforce Fab are for sure stronger than stock, they just can't advertise that because they aren't legally rated I believe. They can probably provide more insight though.

 

Your bumper is decorative sheet metal.

Any name brand aftermarket bumper by the vendors around here will be better.

I'd be more concerned about a spring upgrade than the bumper though. And if you have an automatic, being sure it is well serviced and properly cooled, particularly if the truck did not come with a tow package.

Add @Mobtown Offroad to the shopping list above from @SixthSnail . At least to see if they have what you might be interested in.

 

The stock bumper is not what the hitch is attached to. The hitch is bolted straight to the frame. The bumper in general has no effect on the tow capability.

This guy is right on the spring upgrade depending on what bumper you get. When you remove your factory hitch, you lose about 60 pounds, subtract that from the weight of the bumper and see how much heavier you'll be. Grab some Timbren Bumpstops if you tow a lot. They kick ass. Just ask @Mademan925

 

There are some aftermarket bumpers that allow you to retain the stock hitch as well. Just another option.

FabFours is one off the top of my head....I think BodyArmor as well.

 

I had body armor at first on my tacoma. You are correct. However, I would not recommend that bumper over one of the fabricators on this site.

 

Thanks for the replies.

To clarify, I am not buying the bumper because I think it will increase towing capacity. I am buying it for increased clearance/durability and to have somewhere to mount a spare. I want to get the spare and receiver out of there for off-roading. I was just curious about the comparison. I assumed the more solidly built bumpers would be at least as strong as factory, if not more.

I have a spring upgrade, brake controller, etc., all in the works before I start towing frequently. The truck is an auto, but has the factory tow package and I'll be on top of things regarding service.

 

You are gonna be just fine then! I did the same when I had my tacoma. Which fabricator are you looking at?

 

So far, ArmorTech and Pelfreybilt are leading the race.

 

Nice. You will be happier than stock any way!

 

I wouldn't either, it looks like someone strapped a rail road tie to the rear end, but I know for some the lower price is its biggest bonus.

I'd rather run something from the numerous TW vendors myself as well.

 

I've towed 7,000 lbs more than once with my Bruteforce bumper. Nothing to worry about.
@Bruteforce Fab


Triple, fully welded, gussets at the mounting point


Steel tube with plate center support running across to frame plates


Cross tube through the frame plates not just butt welded.

 

The best thing you can do for that auto is get a ScanGaugeII. Or, something of the like to monitor your trans temps.

 

That's some serious beef. Thanks for the pics!

 

No prob. You can try to explain how beefy these bumpers are all day. The pics are irrefutable though

 

If you have a tow package where is the frame hitch? The factory hitch not only is bolted to the frame it is also bolted to the bumper with a grand total of 10 hefty bolts.

 

I currently have a frame hitch receiver. I'm going to take it off, relocate the spare tire and trailer wiring adapter, etc., to increase ground clearance