Boat too much for my bumper?

[DickensCPA]

Whoever had my '03 Av before me took the receiver hitch with them, unfortunately. The wiring harness and everything else was still intact. I bought an old 1973 Ensign 14' boat with an old 40HP Mercury engine on it. It has a trolling motor, 2 batteries, livewell and trailer to tow it. It's a fiberglass tri-hull BTW. I got a smokin' deal on it and there were other buyers in line to get it so I had to make a deal and haul it off. I bought one of those underneath the bumper hitch receivers that's only bolted to the bumper.

It seemed to pull fine with no ill affects. The only concerns I have is 1) Is that little boat too much for a bumper and 2) The hitch was supposed to be bolted with four bolts, but our bumpers only have a spot for two. I'm afraid I may be putting too much load on only two bolts.

I originally bought it just to get it 9 miles home. Wound up taking it to the lake and still haven't broke down and bought a frame mount. This is the only thing I tow now, I sold all my trailers.

 

[Hop45]

If it were me, I would buy the hitch mount. Never know when you might need to tow something a little more heavy duty!

 

[AVRider]

i think the bumper is only rated to pull 250 pounds. I'd get a new receiver mounted. ? Check ebay or even post here in the wanted ot buy section. ?Several members have taken theirs off.

 

[DaytonaZ71]

I've towed a much larger boat and pulled out a lot of stuck cars with my bumper hitch.

 

[stingray502]

If you are only towing that little boat, and not too far..then you should be OK. I would reccomend getting a frame mount hitch went you can. It would be a safer choice.

 

[DickensCPA]

i think the bumper is only rated to pull 250 pounds. I'd get a new receiver mounted. ? Check ebay or even post here in the wanted ot buy section. ?Several members have taken theirs off.

Holy Crap! I know my boat's over 250lbs. I assumed the bumper would pull at least 1500lbs. I weigh over 230, I guess I don't need to stand on it with anything in my hands.

 

[AVRider]

I could be wrong!  Just for some reason thats the number sticking in my head.  But as others posted they have not had any problems. But upgrade when you can.

 

[DaytonaZ71]

That's tongue weight and not pulling capacity.

 

[AVRider]

That's tongue weight and not pulling capacity.

ah, I knew it was something  Everyone else -->  <-- me 

 

[stingray502]

ah, I knew it was something? Everyone else -->? <-- me? ?

OK you asked for it      Stingray--->  <-- Tango Chaser

 

[mvfd03av]

Bumper is rated for 500 lbs tongue weight or 5000 lbs.  trailer.

Under bumper hitch may only be rated for 350/3500,  check online....

 

[SamHouseIII]

I thought that the hitch would handle more weight than that?

Sam

 

[mvfd03av]

SAM,

? I meant that the bolt on under bumper hitch ($50) may only be rated for the lower weight limits... The OEM is 500/5000 i think....?

I just checked JC Whitney and most of the little bolt-on's are rated a full 500/5000.

 

[DickensCPA]

SAM,

? I meant that the bolt on under bumper hitch ($50) may only be rated for the lower weight limits... The OEM is 500/5000 i think....?

I just checked JC Whitney and most of the little bolt-on's are rated a full 500/5000.

I think one caveat of the little bolt ons staying at 500/5000 is that you have a place to bolt ALL four bolts. The Av bumper only has space for the front two. Or rear two depending on whether you bolt it fore or aft.

I appreciate all this feedback guys. None of my searches here or google gave me any info.

 

[DaytonaZ71]

One of the better reasons for using a reciever hitch vs the ball on the bumper is the height adjustability of the reciever hitch. My first trip backing the boat down the launch ramp put some nasty divots in my bumper pad because the bumper was a little higher than the trailer.

 

[m02redl]

with only two bolts in there, I would invest in a receiver hitch

 

[Yashodhara]

I agree with Wildfire, because if 1 bolt snaps, the 2nd will snap on sheer force alone.  I dont think u want that 2 happen...u might b goin' up hill & the leader of the pack.

 

[DickensCPA]

I agree with Wildfire, because if 1 bolt snaps, the 2nd will snap on sheer force alone.? I dont think u want that 2 happen...u might b goin' up hill & the leader of the pack.

You are right there!! I already have one towing horror story with my '04 Av. Lord knows I don't need another! I used to have a business partner that had a saying when he was quoting a job and they didn't like the price, "Listen, I'm here to make money. I've got all the experience I need." I always got tickled when he'd say that. Well, I don't need anymore experience in the towing/horror story area!LOL!

 

[EarthQuake]

You know, we're giving away a trailer hitch as part of the give-aways at Music City Mayhem on 5/5.

 

[Yashodhara]

DickensCPA,

Tell your old bidness partner i'm gonna have 2 jack him4 his saying.  i like that 1.

 

[DickensCPA]

You know, we're giving away a trailer hitch as part of the give-aways at Music City Mayhem on 5/5.

I'm trying very hard to fit that into my schedule. I do have an overnight motorcycle trip with a group of men from Church the following weekend. It's been planned for a while. Gotta get Mamma's permission to have fun two weekends in a row!