Trailering???

jree · 03-25-2005, 08:54 AM

I don't have a hitch on my truck but I do have a boat that wants to be trailered. My question is whether or not just sticking a ball in my bumper is a good idea or should I invest in a hitch. The boat is only an 18 footer and is prolly the biggest thing that I will be trailering. Lemme know what you guys think

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 03-25-2005, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jree

I don't have a hitch on my truck but I do have a boat that wants to be trailered. My question is whether or not just sticking a ball in my bumper is a good idea or should I invest in a hitch. The boat is only an 18 footer and is prolly the biggest thing that I will be trailering. Lemme know what you guys think

The bumper will tow 5000 LBS but, do yourself a well deserved favor....spend the few $$$ and get a hitch. It's about $100 with the receiver and it MUCH safer to use than the bumper.

tnbowhunter · 03-25-2005, 09:07 AM

How big is your motor?? A 200+HP Motor would probably weigh more than the boat. A Bumper hitch might be able to handle it, but a reciever hitch has a lot more umph plus you will have the option of being able to lower or raise the ball so you are pulling more level.
BTW most bumpers will have the tongue weight limit stamped on them. Or the owners manual should have that info in it.
Good luck.

travism · 03-25-2005, 01:25 PM

People in forums love to spend other people's money, so I don't think you'll find many responses other than to buy a hitch.

To me, it depends on the weight of your boat, how far you're towing, and how often. The bigger the numbers for any of those, the more I'll say you should buy a hitch. Give us more information and we can provide better advise.

I would imagine that using the bumper will make the trailer way off level, and that's no good. But it can be done for short trips. Also know that using the bumper may limit how tight you can turn the trailer at the ramp without the tongue hitting the bumper.

electricjohn · 03-25-2005, 03:51 PM

If you are within the weight limit, I don't see a problem, but you are probally going to beat the crap out of your license plate with the coupler.

Herbpov · 03-25-2005, 04:03 PM

I've got a hitch on mine and I had to get a 6 inch drop coupler because of the height of the back of the truck. I have since lowered the back of the truck and only need a 4 inch drop now. The hitch is your better bet. Bumper way to high to use.

aero320 · 03-25-2005, 07:50 PM

I considered using the bumper as the hitch but it would have been too high. I went with a Valley hitch with the electrical connector for the trailer. Do yourself a favor and go to the dealer and get the missing relay that will needed to make all of your trailer lights work. I think the blue one is the only one you need, but went ahead and purchased both. The Titan is an excellent vehicle to pull a boat. I have an 18' Triton center console saltwater boat that I fish in nearly every weekend. Last week i pulled it over Monteagle Mountain on I-24 in Tennessee. No problem at all. The boat really strained the 2002 Explorer V-8 that I had used before.

Gas milage pulling the trailer over the mountain was 11.5. Total trip 150 miles.