advantages/disadvantages of towing from bumper

[jfsnow2000]

I am looking at a Ranch Hand 10inch drop bumper, which requires me to remove my stock receiver hitch, and wondering what the advantages or disadvantages are with towing directly from the bumper instead of the receiver hitch. You can install a 2inch receiver hitch to the bumper but it cuts the tongue and towing weight in half. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[LongRider]

<font color="green">I have pulled just as heavy off of bumpers of my own construction; of course, they are mounted better than any store-bought receiver hitch.

That being said, not all bumpers are created equal.

Could you make a hole in the new bumper to permit use of the receiver-hitch??

If that is not feasible, design the bumper mounting such that it mounts to the frame like the receiver-hitch; then, build/mount a receiver to the bumper.

No reason the bumper can't be as stout as a receiver hitch.

</font>

[scanman]

When I bought my truck used it came with that same ranch hand bumper. I ended up purchasing a Putnam XDR reciever with a 10" drop (others make them too). The only issue to consider is that the Ranch Hand bumper step overhangs the reciever more than a normal bumper so you may have issues with stubby hitches hitting the step. I can take some closer pics of the reciever this week if you want to see the combo.

Ranch Hand and Putnam XDR

-don

[Mr_Roboto]

[ QUOTE ]
I am looking at a Ranch Hand 10inch drop bumper, which requires me to remove my stock receiver hitch, and wondering what the advantages or disadvantages are with towing directly from the bumper instead of the receiver hitch.

[/ QUOTE ]

Basically a bolt-on receiver spreads the weight over a longer area of the frame, while a bumper has the weight on the very end of the frame. So there is a lot more leverage on the frame with just a bumper attachment. Bumpers are fine for *light* trailers.

[444turbodiesel]

The Ranch Hand itself is probably stronger than most stock receiver hitches, but I'd address the mounting before I carried too much weight. The brackets should extend at least as far forward as the factory hitch mounting holes, and I'd attempt to attach it on two planes (through both the bottom and side flanges) to avoid cracks in the rear of your frame rails.

[Mozz]

My boss has a Draw Tight receiver that will work with a ranch hand drop down bumper. His truck is a 99 but I dont think that would matter.