Towing with a Tahoe........

Fishhunter911 · May 4, 2003

Just curious if anyone uses the bumper when towing... I know they are rated at 4,000lbs.. but is it really safe?

Joe ???

Bish · May 4, 2003

For light duty you can get away with it IMO. A small fishing boat or a dirtbike or two on a light trailer should be fine. I wouldn't trust it for anything over around 2500-300lbs though.

seadoons · May 5, 2003

I have never really trusted the bumper for much of anything...I prefer a solid class III/IV hitch that is mounted directly to the frame. By using this type you also lessen the chance of dinging up your bumper with the trailor

:thumb:

sgiangregorio · May 5, 2003

I wouldn't tow on the bumper for anything other than a utility trailer. For 4000 pounds, I'd only do it on a frame mounted receiver hitch...

Here's a question. On newer GM trucks, I noticed that the frame mounted receiver hitch also attaches to the bumper, right above the receiver with two bolts. Anyone know if these bolts are actually using the bumper as additional support, or is it just a way to attach the bumper to keep everything tight and together? Seems odd than a hitch rated for 8000 pounds would be relying on the bumper. The rest of the hitch is bolted right up to the frame as it should be.

Fishhunter911 · May 5, 2003

Thanks for the info guys.. I am towing a light boat... only about 2500lbs... and cant get a class III for a few weeks... was just curious about the bumper.. thanks again

MarkD · May 5, 2003

I wouldn't tow on the bumper for anything other than a utility trailer. For 4000 pounds, I'd only do it on a frame mounted receiver hitch...

Here's a question. On newer GM trucks, I noticed that the frame mounted receiver hitch also attaches to the bumper, right above the receiver with two bolts. Anyone know if these bolts are actually using the bumper as additional support, or is it just a way to attach the bumper to keep everything tight and together? Seems odd than a hitch rated for 8000 pounds would be relying on the bumper. The rest of the hitch is bolted right up to the frame as it should be.

I had the impression that the hitch reinforced the bumper, not the other way around.?

sgiangregorio · May 5, 2003

FishHunter, that's actually what I was trying to say, I don't know why I didn't say it that way. That's what I hope, and if so, that makes sense.

The reason I even ask is that I figured if you had a heavy load, and somehow the "receiver" bent, it would take the bumper down with it. But come to think of it, to bend the receiver, you'd have to be seriously overloaded.

seadoons · May 5, 2003

I wasn't aware that they were attached...if they are, it only makes sense to me that the hitch would be providing support for the bumper, not the other way around. With the hitch mounted directly to the frame, it only makes sense that way... ???

Fishhunter911 · May 5, 2003

I just looked under my bumper and saw that there was a piece of steel that is connected to the frame rails that runs under the bumper.. I guess that is why chevy says 4000lbs.... its not that thick but I guess they are the experts

thanks again guys

Joe