I was just wondering how many of you tow your boats with the facory bumper and if you have had any problems doing so?

I bought a F150XLT 4wd w/V8 the other day just to tow my boat with (to give my Grand Cherokee a break). The factory bumper seems to be heavy duty and it is setup for air brakes. All of my other trucks before have had reese type setups. The former owner said he pulled a trailer with it with no problems.

My boat weighs about 1,200 lbs and I'd hate to get stranded with hitch problems one day.

Thanks for any replies

You can pickup a Reese Hitch from Walmart for that truck for around $120.  I've towed bassboats behind 4 different Ford trucks over the years.  The hitches allow you to buy the correct ball mount so you're towing you're boat as level as possible. That's not possible when you just stick the ball onto the bumper.

You can pickup a Reese Hitch from Walmart for that truck for around $120. I've towed bassboats behind 4 different Ford trucks over the years. The hitches allow you to buy the correct ball mount so you're towing you're boat as level as possible. That's not possible when you just stick the ball onto the bumper.

Thanks and I went to Wally World and bought one right after I posted because I didn't want to mess with the bumper hitch.

Have a Great Weekend, Dave

I wouldn't use a bumper hitch to tow anything.  Those bumpers are CHEAP!!!  I also would get the hitch installed by a dealer on a new truck.  Then it's covered under the factory warranty.  I've had one hitch (I installed it) that worked its way loose, wallowed out the holes in the frame and eventually came loose.  The trailer I was towing slid up under the truck at a stop light.  I always wondered what would have happened if it had come off on a highway.  Not a pretty thought.  Needless to say that I'm a tad anal about checking the mount of the hitch on a regular basis.  

Yea diffently- use a reese hitch

Messed up my bumper on a F150 I had I knew better-waited to get around to it)

They don't put much into a bumper anymore >

My Ford Ranger bumper tows my boat fine. I think my boat is little lighter than yours though and the lake is only 20 min. from my house. I think it would be a good backup for a bigger boat but thats it.