Bumper tow?

These trucks are really heavy.

That front bumper seems mighty beefy, (92), but I am wondering...

If I bolt a tow bar directly to the bumper.

(Through-bolts would be close to the bumper's own mounting place.)

Will this bumper stand up to the truck being flat towed?


Does anyone have any pics of the same sort of thing?

I have a 2" receiver hitch bolted to the bottom of the bumper on my '85 F350 (see avatar). It works great with my 24' Pace Enclosed - 2 5/16" Ball, 10,000 lb trailer. The receiver tube is welded to a flat plate that is bolted through 2 of the 3 ball holes in the bumper with 1" grade 8 bolts.

FrozenMerc said:

I have a 2" receiver hitch bolted to the bottom of the bumper on my '85 F350 (see avatar). It works great with my 24' Pace Enclosed - 2 5/16" Ball, 10,000 lb trailer. I don't have a picture on this computer. I will snap one this evening, but the receiver tube is welded to a flat plate that is bolted through 2 of the 3 ball holes in the bumper with 1" grade 8 bolts.

Click to expand...

I'm talking about a tow bar. So that the truck can be flat towed.

Putting a hitch in front is also something that will likely eventually be done. Along with some kind of winch.

Selahdoor said:

I'm talking about a tow bar. So that the truck can be flat towed.

Putting a hitch in front is also something that will likely eventually be done. Along with some kind of winch.

Click to expand...

Reading Comprehension is apparently not my strong suit. I read bumper and immediately assumed rear.

I have only ever flat towed by bolting directly to the frame horns. Either removing the bumper completely or using the mount points. That said, if you keep the tow bar points as close to the bumper mount points as possible, I don't see it being a huge issue.

Why are you wanting to flat tow A/T trucks?

Cubey said:

Why are you wanting to flat tow A/T trucks?

Click to expand...

Just some preparedness I've learned from living alone, way out in the sticks, half my life. Always have a backup plan.

This truck, even at this point, is a complete unknown to me. I could go to town, and have it break down halfway there, break down there, or halfway home.

If I have a towbar already bolted to the front of it. And I have the tools necessary to disconnect the driveshaft at the rear...

Hang up the driveshaft. Call a friend with a bigger truck, and have him come and tow me home.

No tow charge involved. No AAA membership needed. Etc.

Give me a few years with the truck, and I may remove the tow bar. Just want to be prepared ahead of time. Just in case...

To each his own....

First time I saw mine, hopped in and drove it 7 hours straight home.

Guys... I asked a simple question...

Keep as close to frame horns as possible

That's the plan.

Of course, at this point it might be moot. I am not even sure I have what it takes to drill holes in this bumper...

The bumper brackets welded to the frame on 92 up trucks are not very strong and the bumpers are weaker also especially compared to the early 91 down trucks, I would just buy a front receiver and be done with it and as a bonus that front receiver will stiffen up the front frame horns.

ifrythings said:

The bumper brackets welded to the frame on 92 up trucks are not very strong and the bumpers are weaker also especially compared to the early 91 down trucks, I would just buy a front receiver and be done with it and as a bonus that front receiver will stiffen up the front frame horns.

Click to expand...

This. From what I've seen in the past, using a tow bar on the front bumper will bend those brackets and the rear corners of the bumper will point down. There's nothing wrong with flat towing something with an automatic a few miles. I've been told that you don't want to go more than 20 miles without unhooking the rear driveshaft from the rear end. The same goes for trucks with a ZF5. Without the pump turning and pushing fluid through the trans cooler, it will overheat and cause transmission damage. I put an engine in a truck that was flat towed for almost 90 miles to our shop. It didn't quite make it and the transmission locked up. the customers pulled an axle shaft out to finish getting the truck the last few miles to thee shop. I put the axle shaft back in and did the engine swap. The transmission did work, but not well. It sounded rough and the shifter was stiff. They trailered the truck back home and had to fix or replace the transmission.

It would never be towed for more than 30 miles. Regardless, I'd take off the rear of the driveshaft, anyway.

Thanks guys. I asked, because I had had a look at those brackets. I had the same concerns.

I think that if I am really determined to set up a towbar, I'll probably just swap the front bumper for the setup that is on the other truck. Not yet that determined.

Selahdoor said:

Regardless, I'd take off the rear of the driveshaft, anyway.

Click to expand...

You could just remove it from the rear end, tape up the u-joint so it won't fall apart, and tie the driveshaft up to something if you don't want to completely remove it.