So I am new owner of a ranger boat. My truck is rated to tow items up to 5000lbs. My factory installed hitch is installed via the bumper. The bumper also states the rating up to 5000 lbs. I realize a hitch attached on the frame is ideal but will this suffice???

That should be okay, but you probably will have a height problem.

What boat did you get ??

a classic...86' Ranger 370v w/ a 93' 150hp faststrike!!!

I wouldn't tow anything heavier than 1000 lbs. on a bumper hitch.

I agree with Burley Shakelford. I have a truck that can tow 5000 LBS. and I installed a frame mounted hitch. The bumper I feel is not strong enough. Better to be safe that sorry on the road with the boat,motor and trailer weight.

Get yourself a frame mounted hitch.  Walmart has a number of models for less than $150 and they're easy to install.  Don't trust the bumper.  

Get yourself a frame mounted hitch. Walmart has a number of models for less than $150 and they're easy to install. Don't trust the bumper.

Go for the hitch.  Look around at all those pickups with the bumper pulled down.  Case closed.

I agree get a hitch package, they are pretty cheap.

Just an FYI, in most/all states having a hitch ball installed on the bumper is ILLEGAL because it blocks the license plate.

Boy do i have a story about this one! I use to have an old F150 with a bumper hitch on it. I use to pull my old 18FT Stratos boat around with it. One day i was fishing in a park with reclaimed phosphate pits. As i am leaving the dock after loading the boat i hit a pot hole at about 10MPH. I feel the truck get lighter, i look in the rear view and i can't see the top of my outboard as usual. My boat, trailer and bumper where still back where the pot whole was!!!!  >

The whole bumper and the hooks where the boat was chained to where being held on by four flimsy brackets with one bolt each! I had to call my bro to bring his truck and pick my boat up. I never trusted bumper hitches again!

About 15 years ago I used to have a 16ft 1960's something or other and towed it with an '86 Chevy S-10 on a bumper mounted hitch. Now I have a have a boat and a truck that I love. Frame mounted hitch!

Just an FYI, in most/all states having a hitch ball installed on the bumper is ILLEGAL because it blocks the license plate.

Get yourself a frame mounted hitch. Walmart has a number of models for less than $150 and they're easy to install. Don't trust the bumper.

Don't bother with these garbage can universal hitches from wal-mart either.  You should be able to get the hitch fitted to your truck from a hitch dealer for that kind of money and much easier to install.

First question what kind of truck do you have?  And secondly their isn't a "factory" installed hitch that is just a ball on the bumper on any truck sold in the US.   The dodge fullsize since 04 has had the hitch attached to the bumper and still uses a ball mount like any other frame mount hitch, they are designed that way and will be fine.  If the dealer sold you a towing package with the truck, or threw it in with the deal and it is only a ball on the bumper then you need to go back to the dealer tell them to put a towing package on the truck and not an $8 ball.  One more question what wiring does the boat have?  On alot of the older boats like this with trailer brakes they use a 5-wire harness that controls the trailer brakes, if so then you will also need to take the truck to a hitch dealer to get the right harness insalled along with a brake contol box.  

Another advantage of the frame mounted is the set back it gives you away from the back of the truck since the draw bar puts the ball out away from the rear of the truck a bit.  

This really helps when backing/manuevering in tight places.  A big plus when you have tight quarters to get your boat in the garage like I do since my garage is perpendicular to my drive.

You can back the trailer at a much greater angle before it pinches agains the bumper with a frame mount than with a ball on a bumper.

great points! I went ahead and ordered the frame mount kit. Peace of mind I suppose. Thanks.