Towing with offroad bumpers

[aheiser]

Seems like so many aftermarket rear bumpers with 2" receivers say "off road use only" or the like. I'm assuming this isn't typically because the bumper isn't up to the task, but rather it's not DOT approved, etc, so more the manufacturers covering themselves from liability? I'm really interested in something like the demello rear hybrid bumper. Would I be stupid to tow light (< 3000lbs) loads using these types of bumpers instead of mounting a regular hitch?

 

[DaveInDenver]

I think they avoid rating them for towing because like you say liability and testing (i.e. cost). But my $0.02 is that a 2" receiver that is good enough for a dynamic recovery of even a light Jeep or Toyota is probably fine for a small trailer. I assume the problem is mostly tongue weight since most bumpers aren't necessarily designed to account for anything but primarily tension on the receiver and who knows if they are strong enough for shear across the draw or much moment at the connection to the frame. The draw bar sticking out from a recovery 2" receiver on a bumper puts quite a bit longer lever on the bolts at the frame than a real rated hitch that would usually be tucked up under the frame more.

 

[gearguywb]

I used my 100 series, with Slee bumper, to pull the KK on several occasions. Never an issue. As has been said, I think the smaller mfg's don't want to go through the expense and potential litigation to have their bumper rated for a specific towing capacity.

 

[michaels]

it's definitely the expense of getting it "certified". i say tow at your own risk on my bumpers. i'm not protected under any LLC or anything so i make it very clear that i am not liable if you purchase anything from me.

 

[aheiser]

Cool, sounds like what I suspected. I suppose a person would just have to use good judgment and understand the way the bumper was built.

 

[pittim]

You could always have someone custom fab a bumper so that a hitch receiver fits under it. I know CBI has made them, I'm sure Demello could also.

 

[mr.trd]

You can feel free to tow whatever you think your truck can handle with a CBI bumper. We don't test them for the expense and once you do, you would have to build every single one identical. That is not what we do. But basically our bumpers are a receiver hitch with a bumper around it. We tie into the same places as the factory receiver does and have the same strength of crossbar, just tucked up higher and then a steel bumper welded and built around it. Legally we cannot rate it and it is ultimately up to you, but, you will be fine.

Here are a few pics of how we tie it all together.

 

[john101477]

I have seen some people add amgle iron or some type of brace from the center of the bumper to the frame on both sides. usually done on tube style bumpers so I am not sure if this would help or not

 

[OldSven]

I have pulled my trailer with my old Badland bumper and now with the one I made for the 4runner. Neither are DOT approved but will hold up better than most DOT bumpers out there.

 

[corax]

Cool, sounds like what I suspected. I suppose a person would just have to use good judgment and understand the way the bumper was built.

When in doubt, reinforce! My homemade tube bumper has towed the 5x8/3,500# enclosed trailer cross country twice with no probs (and it'll probably happen another time this year)

3 horizontal and 1 verticle bolt on each side of the vehicle, tube is 1.5" sch 40 HREW. The receiver has 2 tubes above + one below, gussets between the 2 top tubes + 1 more between one top tube and the receiver, 1 gusset on each side and front/rear on the tube below (tons of weld coverage)

 

[aheiser]

It's good to hear a lot of people report no problems with towing on these bumpers. One thing I've noticed is that many of the regular tow hitches interfere with or get very close to the spare tire. I'm planning on just barely squeezing a 285 under there, so I'm not sure many hitches would allow me the room. So it might just be more justification for a new bumper with integrated hitch.