Bumper ball towing.

[Blake A]

Does anyone know the tow rating for the hitch ball on the bumper? I need to pull a u-haul next week.

 

[rickybobby]

u-haul wont rent a trailer for an explorer

 

[MidnightRebel07]

I know it's a Sport Trac but since it says Explorer on it they won't rent to you.

That being said I've rented car trailers from them a bunch of times but had to pick up the trailer with a different truck and just swap out truck at home. The guy at Uhaul knows I'm towing with the ST but can't legally let me leave the lot with it hooked to the ST.

Not sure on bumper towing weight since I have a class IV hitch from them (UHaul) but being that you ST is lifted the angle might be too far up to pull one of their trailers.

 

[Blake A]

I think im just going to go buy a hitch. I have one from a 2nd gen explorer that i thought would work but it wont line up so im going to see if i can make a partial trade at the local trailer shop for one that will.

 

[Joe Dirt]

The rating should be on the bumper. I wouldn't tow anything with a bumper ball, due to what holds a bumper level. That's just me though. I agree with the decision to get a hitch...

 

[JohnnyO]

I'm pretty sure the bumper is good for 3500 lb. Should be stamped on it somewhere.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Mine is 3500 lbs. max trailer weight, 350 lbs. tongue weight.

 

[Blake A]

Well its $170 for a new one so im looking at salvage yards tomorrow. I think Midnight is right. My truck is lifted so the trailer would be at a major angle in the bumper.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Yup- you'll need a hitch and a drop receiver to level everything out.

Try www.car-part.com

You can search salvage yard inventory in a chosen radius...

 

[Blake A]

Bought a hitch for $50 from a guy that found my ad on craigslist!
Bad thing is its not fitting.. Its the right one but one of my bumper brackets is bent slightly. Does anyone have an idea of a good way to bend it back? Im all ears, i really need to fix this ASAP!

 

[interscope8]

i had a hitch off my grandpa's 98 EB. It didnt line up either but I used a plasma cutter and a few friends at a service shop and made it fit just had to trim my bumper brackets a little bit

 

[Blake A]

The problem with this is that it is the right hitch. It came off of an 02 sport trac but my bracket is slightly bent out on the passenger side. Should i nudge the hitch a little it accommodate, or tackle the bumper?...

 

[MidnightRebel07]

You can heat the metal up enough to bend it back in shape with a propane torch and a BFH (Big F'n Hammer) or a long crowbar. Doesn't have to be fancy, just to where it'll fit. If you had pictures of the bent bracket I could help more as to which way to tackle this. Propane torches can be bought for around $20-40 from any hardware store or kmart, etc..