Why are underbody hitches so popular?

[Cait Sith Cat]

Why don't people throw on a ball on their bumper, like it used to be? I looked under my truck and it's reenforced; it's not like I'll pull the bumper off. So why all these add-on underbodies?

[RedLightning]

Because the ball on the bumper is ugly, and in tight turns if you are hauling a trailer the trailer can hit the bumper and damage it.(happend to my dad's truck)

EDIT: they are also stronger, I can only haul about 2,000lbs on my bumper but more then 5,000 with a good hitch.

[fordtrucksonly]

Exactly, they haul more.

[peppermrj]

Height adjustment also.

[Austin8214]

Originally Posted by peppermrj

Height adjustment also.

Exactly, right it is very important that the trailer you are towing be as close to level as can be. It is also important the you have some thung weight on the ball as this helps hold the trailer on the ball. Not enough thung weight and you increese the chances of the trailer coming off.

[fordtrucksonly]

This is true, i did not think about height but this is very true, towing a trailer at akward angles can spell disaster.

[SoonerKA99]

Trucks with Class 3 hitchs or under the body hitches have higher tow capacity and also as mentioned above have less chances of messing up your bumper than regular bumper installed ball hitches. Plus you can easily remove the ball hitch attachment on the class 3 hitch and swap it out with a different sized ball 1 1/2", 13/4" 2" etc etc etc whatever the application demands. ON bumpers, you have to unbolt the ball, slip it out, and bolt in another. Class 3's you just pull the pin and swap em out!

[SVTcobra306]

I like my convert-a-ball, I can change it out right on the bumper. Hey, guys, look in your owner's manual, the factory step bumper on an F-150 is rated at class III capacity, 5000 lbs towing weight

I have a Reese hitch, but my exhaust is in the way of installing it for now... I'll change tips later and install it.

[Hollowcreek]

If you believe that I have some swamp property in Florida. There are aftermarket bumpers that have that kind of towing capacity, but nothing that comes standard from Ford on a 150, at least that I would trust. A good size car trailer or camper will tear that factory step bumper to pieces.

[SVTcobra306]

My old man pulled everything from a 4500 LB race trailer to a stock trailer w/2 13-1500 LB Simmental Bulls in it on his stock step bumper hitch.

Don't believe me? Look in your owner's manual. It specifically states that your step bumper has a Class III rating to tow 5000 lbs. I am not making this up, and you know Ford has to be conservative, they would have had to pay for any failures....

[mrfixit64857]

I like my Lev-L-Ride hitch... distributes the weight to all four wheels. Too much weight on the back, no matter WHAT youre hauling, and youre asking for a steering nightmare. The last thing I want is to have my drive tires and trailer doing the steering for me, much less with a live load like bulls!

[SVTcobra306]

Yeah, that did get interesting from time to time....

We learned years ago not to leave the trailer unhooked with 2 of 'em in there , they rolled a trailer 300 yards down a hill....:o


He couldn't afford a gooseneck, though, so that's what he went with.

[mrfixit64857]

Hoooooeeeeeeey what a ride!
did the bulls last 8 seconds?
did they keep one hoof in the air?
oh the possibilities are endless lol....
And I used to have a trailer...bumper-pull...just big enough for two cows. No springs, just a box on an axle. talk about FUN.