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So, heres the scoop. I have my new project over an hour away from where it needs to be. I have a truck and tow dolly lined up to use, but there is one problem: The Tow-Ball is bumper mounted...
Truck in question: 1996 Ford F150
Amount of weight: 1 Volkswagen Jetta and Tow Dolly.
Question is: will the bumper/tow ball hold up with all that weight for a trip that is around 100 miles?
I'd do it....but thats not saying much 
What type of roads? I can't say I would reccomend it, but if it was my only option, there's a chance I would do it. Slowly.
mostly highways, around 60mph i would say...
I've done it with a '96 Ford F-150, car trailer and corolla.
Shawn
Trans_Maro wrote:I've done it with a '96 Ford F-150, car trailer and corolla.
Shawn
did you? Same setup? i google mapped the distance and its 65 miles...
I towed a miata 2 hours on the interstate with a tow dolly behind an '82 Toyota pickup (2wd, 22r).
I'd say it depends on the bumper, but if it's a good, healthy steel bumper, then go for it. The important part is the "don't look back" part ;)
I've towed my Rabbit on a tow dolly (except one year I used a full size trailer) with a '97 F150 V6 5 speed on the bumper ball every year I've brought it to the challenge, so I guess 4 times.
Your bumper should have a rating on it. Check the rating and if you are within that spec you should be ok. On an F150 I wouldnt even hesitate, I've bumper towed with much smaller vehicles.
My last truck the bumper was actually rated higher than the class 3 hitch I installed.
Bumper should be fine. Make sure the ball is tight, correct size......
Then check the local rules. Its getting to the point of ridiculous in some jurisdictions now with the towing/trailer rules. The tickets and aggravation they hand out around here make it reasonable to hire a Galaxy cargo plane and ground crew to bring a car 60 miles.
No guts, no glory.
Like others have said, if its a truck with a properly rated bumper and you are within that rated window, you have no worries unless of course there is a ton of rust or something. I once new a guy who had a ball mounted to the bumper of his Dodge Omni. That did not work...
Above, I bet the trailer weighs more that the Europa ontop of it.
The bumper on my old Dodge was rated at 4 or 5k. Just try to find the rating on your bumper.
well, got that all cleared up. Got a new truck i dont have to worry about, even though you guys convinced me the bumper mount would be good and i might use that truck incase the new one doesnt work out. Now i have a 95 Chevy S10 with the 4.3 V6, so it will have plenty of power and its a chassis mounted tow hitch. I really do appreciate the words of wisdom...
and a special thanks to Raze for the hook up on the tow dolly, saved me time and alil money! I owe you a beer!
Yup, bumper mounted 2" ball, car trailer, many old cars including my race car.
Never a problem and way more than 65 miles.
Not the same trip you're doing but plenty of trouble-free miles.
Shawn
DukeOfUndersteer wrote:well, got that all cleared up. Got a new truck i dont have to worry about, even though you guys convinced me the bumper mount would be good and i might use that truck incase the new one doesnt work out. Now i have a 95 Chevy S10 with the 4.3 V6, so it will have plenty of power and its a chassis mounted tow hitch. I really do appreciate the words of wisdom...
and a special thanks to Raze for the hook up on the tow dolly, saved me time and alil money! I owe you a beer!
No problem, glad to help someone with 'another' project 
Dual axle trailer empty from Atlanta to Jaxolville loaded with 1500 Spitfire from Jaxonville to Atlanta. Towed with a 72 Chevy C10. Course they have Real STEEL bumpers on them.
Also used the same truck and bumper hitch to drive from Longisland N.Y. to Atlanta towing a FULLY loaded trailer. That was in the early 80's
I crossed the scales on my last trip to the scrap yard at almost 9000 lbs with a bumper towed dual axle trailer behind an 88 S-10. Granted it wasn't a fast trip but hey it did the job. Make sure the mounting bolts are tightend down real good.
I wouldn't hesitate. If a Jetta was towing an F-150 yeah, might be a problem. No worries, make sure you have the safety chains crossed, that's a $200 fine here.
Dan
914Driver wrote:I wouldn't hesitate. If a Jetta was towing an F-150 yeah, might be a problem. No worries, make sure you have the safety chains crossed, that's a $200 fine here.
Dan
What! My trailer chains wouldn't be long enough to cross them and they would be in the way of the weight distributing hitch, how can that be illegal.
I have towed that way for at least 40,000 miles with this trailer.
Dr. Hess wrote:No guts, no glory.
There is NO part of that picture that doesn't make me happy inside
Depends on how rotted the frame and bumper are. If they were solid and it was one of those 3.5K bumpers I'd do it carefully and with safety chains hooked up under on the frame.
In reply to DukeOfUndersteer:
On a truck where the bumper is heavy steel and bolts securely to the frame there is abs. no reason not to do it. Many half ton trucks came with a ball mounted on the bumper IIRC
When I was doing metal work I made up a couple of rear bumpers for pick ups. Used 1/4 wall, 4" square tube, (that's HEAVY E36 M3!) , welded a good reciever to it, good to go. I would love to have a front bumper made that way for Miami traffic!
