Tongue weight on original bumper - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jescates · 08-25-2003, 11:31 PM

Anyone know what an original steel bumper is rated at? This bumper is attached by 4 bolts to the rear of the frame and appears to be original. Doesn't have any stampings on what it can handle.

Longhorn Man · 08-25-2003, 11:42 PM

Probably 500 pounds...but that would have been 303 years ago.
I'll never tow with one again after ripping one.
And it wasn't so old either.

jescates · 08-25-2003, 11:51 PM

Yeah, not sure I want to try pulling anything with that bumper. I have a 55 Willy's that I want to tow a little closer to some prime 4 wheeling locations and even though the Willy's isn't very heavy, I think I might just buy a real hitch. Thanks

Longhorn Man · 08-25-2003, 11:56 PM

IMO...that is a real good move. I'm one of the few that think a tow bumper should never be used on public roads, and all hitches should be calss 4 or better.
It never fails, you ALWAYS see some idiot with an S-10 using a K-mart step bumper to haul a huge trailer with 2 hummers on it or something else just as stupid.

*gmtrucksaddict* · 08-31-2003, 02:02 PM

400lbs im pretty sure, but it dependson the bumper,

goodluck

jescates · 08-31-2003, 02:24 PM

Here's the picture. It's bolted on pretty good, just not sure I would use it to pull the Willy's. The Willy's pretty light but don't want to take a chance of losing it. My problem is finding a hitch that doesn't require relocating the spare tire mount. I kinda like the tire underneath and not in the bed. Looking at the class 3 from JCWhitney. They have one that doesn't require welding, but it doesn't mention the spare tire. Guess I will have to make a call.

ChevLoRay · 08-31-2003, 05:51 PM

I would think that they would be good for 350-lbs of tongue weight, with a 3500-lb towed weight. Hitch receivers, are graded by class, but mine is rated for 500-lbs of tongue weight. Of course, and equalizer hitch would be the way to go, to take some weight off of the rear of the frame. My truck was used to tow a 28--ft travel trailer. My truck: A SWB Fleetside with a 350/400TH set up.

I towed a 55 Chevy 2-dr with a '70 SWB Chevy, that had a 250/3-speed set up. Used the bumper and a ball. All it had was the 4 bolts that hold the bumper on....I hope. That was back in '74.

Huck · 08-31-2003, 07:40 PM

Don't know if they have "Tractor Slupply" stores out there but it is a farm supply type store that sells hitches that bolt right up to our trucks-----the bottom mount spare is not compromised---and the hitch is rated at 6500lbs. I've used one for 4 years with no problems. It even came with the 2" ball!!! Was like $89. All you need is the wiring.

jescates · 08-31-2003, 08:05 PM

Thanks Huck, will have to check on that. Here in the desert there is not much call for tractor supplies

I will call back home to Arkansas and see if my dad can find one there. I know of a few places that deals with tractor supplies.
Thanks again.

Longhorn Man · 08-31-2003, 10:36 PM

Huck, does this look like the one you are talking about?

You can buy them at Tractor Supply Company right here on line.

jescates · 09-01-2003, 12:50 AM

Thanks Andy, checked out the site and registered with them. Waiting for a reply from them to see if it's a direct bolt in. If so, consider it purchased.

*Phillip Johnson* · 09-01-2003, 03:55 AM

I just had one INSTALLED like the one Longhorn posted and it cost me a total of $140. I didnt even get dirty. I can tow anything I own now! I also have torn a factory bumper off a truck. Not fun at all, also not worth loosing what you are towing.

Huck · 09-01-2003, 08:28 AM

Andy, that looks like the dude I put on my truck. Don't remember if it was a direct bolt in --may have had to drill a hole or two but---it fit the frame perfect. Now I have a leaf spring frame and am not sure what would be required if you have a coil spring truck with the factory overlaod springs---those mounts may need to be removed and then rebolted but it should still come together.

palallin · 09-01-2003, 01:04 PM

To buck the trend, I'll say this much for a good step bumper: the receiver hitches bolt to the bottom lip of the frame channel. The bumpers usually bolt through the web (or side) of the "C." If the attachment points are the same in strength (as the are on my bumper), you can tow just as much weight with it. The reason I put a receiver hitch on as well was for the flexibility that the drawbar hitches provide. My 1/4" plate, fully welded and gussetted, overly-engineered bumper can tow more weight that the truck is capable of pulling and MUCH more than it is capable of stopping.

08-25-2003, 11:31 PM	#1
jescates Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Mcloud, Oklahoma Posts: 656	Tongue weight on original bumper Anyone know what an original steel bumper is rated at? This bumper is attached by 4 bolts to the rear of the frame and appears to be original. Doesn't have any stampings on what it can handle. __________________ 1970 C-10 LWB 1998 Jeep Wrangled TJ 2009 Honda VTX 1300 2013 Buick Enclave

08-25-2003, 11:51 PM	#3
jescates Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Mcloud, Oklahoma Posts: 656	Yeah, not sure I want to try pulling anything with that bumper. I have a 55 Willy's that I want to tow a little closer to some prime 4 wheeling locations and even though the Willy's isn't very heavy, I think I might just buy a real hitch. Thanks __________________ 1970 C-10 LWB 1998 Jeep Wrangled TJ 2009 Honda VTX 1300 2013 Buick Enclave

08-31-2003, 02:24 PM	#6
jescates Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Mcloud, Oklahoma Posts: 656	Here's the picture. It's bolted on pretty good, just not sure I would use it to pull the Willy's. The Willy's pretty light but don't want to take a chance of losing it. My problem is finding a hitch that doesn't require relocating the spare tire mount. I kinda like the tire underneath and not in the bed. Looking at the class 3 from JCWhitney. They have one that doesn't require welding, but it doesn't mention the spare tire. Guess I will have to make a call. Attached Images __________________ 1970 C-10 LWB 1998 Jeep Wrangled TJ 2009 Honda VTX 1300 2013 Buick Enclave

08-31-2003, 05:51 PM	#7
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	I would think that they would be good for 350-lbs of tongue weight, with a 3500-lb towed weight. Hitch receivers, are graded by class, but mine is rated for 500-lbs of tongue weight. Of course, and equalizer hitch would be the way to go, to take some weight off of the rear of the frame. My truck was used to tow a 28--ft travel trailer. My truck: A SWB Fleetside with a 350/400TH set up. I towed a 55 Chevy 2-dr with a '70 SWB Chevy, that had a 250/3-speed set up. Used the bumper and a ball. All it had was the 4 bolts that hold the bumper on....I hope. That was back in '74. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

08-31-2003, 08:05 PM	#9
jescates Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Mcloud, Oklahoma Posts: 656	Thanks Huck, will have to check on that. Here in the desert there is not much call for tractor supplies I will call back home to Arkansas and see if my dad can find one there. I know of a few places that deals with tractor supplies. Thanks again. __________________ 1970 C-10 LWB 1998 Jeep Wrangled TJ 2009 Honda VTX 1300 2013 Buick Enclave

08-25-2003, 11:42 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Probably 500 pounds...but that would have been 303 years ago. I'll never tow with one again after ripping one. And it wasn't so old either.

08-25-2003, 11:56 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	IMO...that is a real good move. I'm one of the few that think a tow bumper should never be used on public roads, and all hitches should be calss 4 or better. It never fails, you ALWAYS see some idiot with an S-10 using a K-mart step bumper to haul a huge trailer with 2 hummers on it or something else just as stupid.

08-31-2003, 02:02 PM	#5
gmtrucksaddict Account Suspended Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: IL Posts: 60	400lbs im pretty sure, but it dependson the bumper, goodluck

08-31-2003, 07:40 PM	#8
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,261	Don't know if they have "Tractor Slupply" stores out there but it is a farm supply type store that sells hitches that bolt right up to our trucks-----the bottom mount spare is not compromised---and the hitch is rated at 6500lbs. I've used one for 4 years with no problems. It even came with the 2" ball!!! Was like $89. All you need is the wiring.

08-31-2003, 10:36 PM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Huck, does this look like the one you are talking about? You can buy them at Tractor Supply Company right here on line.

09-01-2003, 12:50 AM	#11
jescates Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Mcloud, Oklahoma Posts: 656	Thanks Andy, checked out the site and registered with them. Waiting for a reply from them to see if it's a direct bolt in. If so, consider it purchased. __________________ 1970 C-10 LWB 1998 Jeep Wrangled TJ 2009 Honda VTX 1300 2013 Buick Enclave

09-01-2003, 03:55 AM	#12
Phillip Johnson Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Grants Pass, Oregon Posts: 1,579	I just had one INSTALLED like the one Longhorn posted and it cost me a total of $140. I didnt even get dirty. I can tow anything I own now! I also have torn a factory bumper off a truck. Not fun at all, also not worth loosing what you are towing.

09-01-2003, 08:28 AM	#13
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,261	Andy, that looks like the dude I put on my truck. Don't remember if it was a direct bolt in --may have had to drill a hole or two but---it fit the frame perfect. Now I have a leaf spring frame and am not sure what would be required if you have a coil spring truck with the factory overlaod springs---those mounts may need to be removed and then rebolted but it should still come together.

09-01-2003, 01:04 PM	#14
palallin Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: St. James, MO Posts: 1,238	To buck the trend, I'll say this much for a good step bumper: the receiver hitches bolt to the bottom lip of the frame channel. The bumpers usually bolt through the web (or side) of the "C." If the attachment points are the same in strength (as the are on my bumper), you can tow just as much weight with it. The reason I put a receiver hitch on as well was for the flexibility that the drawbar hitches provide. My 1/4" plate, fully welded and gussetted, overly-engineered bumper can tow more weight that the truck is capable of pulling and MUCH more than it is capable of stopping. __________________ '69 Longstep K-10: 327/SM465/T-221/Closed Knuckle Dana44/12-bolt.



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