Towing from bumper

Searched the forums, couldn't find an answer to this towing question.

I need to tow a light weight utility trailer loaded with a moving ‘pod’. My 1997 4WD taco doesn’t have any towing equipment so this is all aftermarket DIY. The Toyota dealership has told me the bumper max towing capacity is 2,000lbs. Let’s assume I come in under that with the total loaded weight, U-Haul says the tongue hitch height can’t exceed 22” and therefore I need a grade II or III frame hitch that nests underneath my bumper.

But wait a second… If the bumper can pull the weight, can’t I just purchase a standard hitch receiver that mounts directly to the hole in the bumper but drops the hitch height? And does such a tongue hitch design exist?

 

Yeah maybe when it was brand new. You can get class 3 hitch for about 150.00. Maybe even less. Trailer wiring about 25.00. That bumper isn't rusty and separating at hole? They have hitch specific for your truck yr. Just bolt it up using existing holes. All easy to do.GL

 

Tnx man. I'm a miser, prefer to not buy a trailer hitch just because height is 1" out of U-Haul's specs.

I think you're right, what I seek doesn't exist if it ever did. Going to demo U-Haul trailer equip using a ball on the bumper... it may be the tongue weight drops her butt enough that it works for them. The resting angle likely won't be excessive to be risky.

Yes, there's signs of rust in the ball mount hole but not excessive. Nice catch. Not a trump concern but def something to take a close look at.

 

about how much weight and how far you going to be towing said pod?? Little trailer, light weight, bumper would be fine. Heavy trailer, long distance I'd get a trailer hitch and not use the bumper. My $.02

 

Throw something heavy in the bed to get your ball height within U-hauls spec and go for it. That is, if your bumper hitch is safe to tow with.

 

Check the brackets that hold the bumper on for rust as well. I was towing a trailer a few months back the and bumper pulled off because the brackets were rusted. That was exciting.

 

The truck is a 97. Not sure what part of country, that matters. Never been a fan of bumper hitches. Never used mine even when it was new. Bumper brackets probably thin. Watched a guys boat flip when he jumped curb while turning from bumper hitch with no safety hookups. Sorry not my bag.

 

Drop the tires to 8 psi until you leave the lot, then pull over and pump em up.

 

I think those safety chains would have saved that guys boat. We even have chains on our little 5x8 trailers for hauling 4-wheelers,lawnmowers. Better safe then sorry.

 

Yup, just thinking some sand bags in the bed should do the trick. Also just got new thick BFG AT's for the rear after shredding two on a descent... I can swap out for the front pair which are worn... plus lower the PSI.

Strange, the dealership said the stock bumper max is 2,000lbs but I noticed the bumper itself is imprinted as 3,500lbs / 350 tongue weight.

This is a light haul. I think dropping her butt is the way to go.

Thanks guys. I'll send you a pic of me crying in sagebrush if the bumper tears apart.

 

3500 is the rating for your bumper, should say so right on it. I towed my little landscaping trailer from the bumper for about a year before I got a class III hitch. Be careful backing it up while it's attached to the bumper, those little trailers swing really fast and the first point of contact is the angled edge where the bumper recesses in to the license plate mount. Ask me how I found that one out haha...