Towing question--OK to use a step bumper?

[Richard W.]

I recently purchased a 1977 Chev 1/2 ton and want to occasonally tow about 5.000# (3,500# for one of the Vettes and and open trailer) around Indiana and there abouts, so hills are not a problem. All towing will be within a 250 mile radius. My step bumper is rated as 800# tongue and 8,000# towing capacity.
These ratings suggest that I could use the bumper on the truck. I have noticed, however, that a lot of trucks have both a step bumper and a frame hitch (Reese, Draw-Tite, etc.). Is it safe to use the step bumper or is a another system necessary. If we need a separate system, why?

[mike mccagh]

Re: Towing question--OK to use a step bumper?

you can buy a new(about 100 bucks) or used (about 40 bucks) Reese-type hitch that is considerably safer than using the step bumper. if you elect to go with the step bumper, evaluate it thoroughly for rust . the S-10 step bumpers are notorious for rust-out.can't remember if my 78 chevy K-1500 bumper rusted out but the rest of the truck was toast after about 5 years of winter-salt laden western md roads. mike

[Dick W.]

Re: Towing question--OK to use a step bumper?

Be aware that for some reason the step bumper bolts are very hard to keep tight when towing heavy trailers. I would follow Dr. Mikes advise and go to a load equalizing hitch receiver.

[mike cobine]

Re: Towing question--OK to use a step bumper?

The problem is usually not the bumper, but how it is attached. If done at the factory, it is probably correct, but if not, and many are not, then the bolts used may be not strong enough or in sufficient numbers to support the load.

Bumper design is such they frequently rust out from the inside, so they appear strong and yet are not. However, some bumpers use a thick steel reinforcing for mounting the ball and others do not. If it does, it is probably ok. If not, I wouldn't use it in this situation.

On a '77, do you know the history of the truck? The bumper could have been removed and not replaced properly.

Open trailers range from around 1200 lbs to 2400 lbs typically. Many of the new open trailers are very heavy, near 2000 lbs or more. Add that to your 3500 Corvette and you have 5500 lbs. To get the best tow, you need at 10% on the tongue and 15% is better. So you have roughly 750 lbs on the bumper.

A half-ton Chevy pickup is about 6800 GVWR and weighes about 4500 lbs empty, so the 2300 load capacity is ok. However, you are putting that at the very back without any means to equalizer the weight on the truck.

Your braking is compromised, as the braking rating would be 6000-7000 lb and you are approaching 10,000 combined weight.

Equalizer hitches are quite common to find used in the $50-$75 range.

[Stephen L.]

Re: Towing question--OK to use a step bumper?

You are towing a car worth $$$$$$. Don't short change the hitch!!!!!
get a frame mounted hitch and some braking capability. You'd feel really bad if you had to stop quick and couldn't or the hitch failed.

[Richard W.]

Thanks for your responses.

I am confortable with the truck. It is a one-owner vehicle with 39,500 miles that was owned by the next door neigbor of a friend. It is in excellent condition and equiped with all the towing package type equipment for that year. The aftermarket bumper, which indicates the towing capacity on it, was installed last February.

That said, I think that I will look into a Class 111 system.

Thanks for your tips and comments.

[mike cobine]

Re: Thanks for your responses.

Don't going asking for a Class 111, but a Class III, as in Class I, Class II, Class III, Class IV, and Class V (Roman Numerals).

Your bumper hitch has one other drawback, it may be too high. I have a dropped hitch on my '89 and it is still too high. The truck is not jacked up. The bumper would drag the tail of the trailer on mine.

Otherwise, I once towed a Corvette with a boat hitch on the back of a '73 Impala wagon, which had the worse "adapter" ever made of welded angle so we could use the 2" ball to bolt the "adapter" which held the 2-15/16" ball.

We took it 150 miles.

Ahh, to be young and stupid.

[mike cobine]

I meant

Otherwise, I once towed a Corvette with a boat hitch

I meant:

Otherwise, you would probably be fine for this one time. I once towed a Corvette with a boat hitch