Gizmo

I would like to install a hitch and was planning on installing one of the aftermarket Class 2 receiver hitches. The purpose is 3-fold: 1) towing a small utility trailer, 2) As a recovery point & 3) to mount a hitch style bicycle rack. This was my plan until poking around the web I came across a Hanson rear bumper with a receiver hitch incorporated in the bumper. This seemed like an elegant design. So my question is, are there compelling reasons to go this route vs just installing a Class 2 hitch, considering the extra $$$ involved. Are there other tidbits of info you all might share? Thanks.

troy fritz

Go with the bumper.I just replaced my class 2 with a class 3 cuz the 2 snapped in half during a recovery.And you can't get bike racks for a class 2.They only have 1.25in receiver,3s have a 2in and you can get alot of things for them and they are alot stronger than a class 2.

MurderedXJ

I bought an aftermarket class 3 and it was useless. It hung so low that i hacked it apart and felt like my welds werent up to par so i never used it. Then i bought a bumper with the hitch in it and 2 D-ring spots. It looks almost stock and went on fairly easy. If you plan on getting the hitch try and find a stock one, they are more expensive but look way better.

caged

i wouldn't tow a bicycle trailer with a receiver bumper. matter of fact, i don't think it's legal.
for one, they are not DOT approved, and two, they only mount in the stock bumper mounts.

if you're gonna tow, get a class III hitch. you'll feel safer with recovery also.

hit up a junk yard.

MurderedXJ

They mount half an inch above the reciever mounts how much integrity can be lossed by doing that. I now it doesnt go down the frame like a hitch would. Not trying to start anything but now im a little concerned.

phillyxj570

yea so am i. if you think about it the bumper is the same thing as the hitch just wraped in more metal they both get bolted to the frame rail its just the bumper sits up higher than a hitch witch is good.

superj

i have an aftermarket reciever hitch, the 2" one. (i guess class 3). it drags in the mud every time i go into a ditch or climb something. it was a pain in the butt to install also. but it lets me tow my little 5' trailer so i deal with it

Gizmo

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience with a nooby, this helps.

caged

not all aftermarket bumpers bolt along the frame rail. but with the little bit of info i found on the hanson bumper, it appears it may have this feature.
if so, i would find out what the tow rating is, but if it doesn't, then i wouldn't tow a radio flyer wagon.

you have to remember, tow hitches are DOT approved, if this bumper isn't, the ministry can give you a huge fine.
most bumpers are not DOT, obviously, and only mount to the rear body panel with 4 bolts on each side.

Gizmo

Thanks, helpful points to consider. I am going to check out the tow rating and DOT approval of the bumper as suggested. By the way I indicated I was looking at a Class 2 hitch when in fact I was actually pricing a Class 3, my bad.

superj

all i know is my hitch is rated to 5k, which is more then my jeep is. it bolts to the frame, like hte factory one. some of those bumper ones just bolt to the bottom of the bumper and look so unsafe. also, be sure you have a place to hook the safety chains

Gizmo

I sent an e-mail to Hanson Off Road asking how the bumper is mounted, the tow rating of the receiver hitch and whether it is sufficient enough to be used in recovery operations. Here is their response. What say you?

Our bumper mounts to the frame frame support. There are additional brackets that wrap around the frame and brace the bumper as well. The tow rating for the bumper is class II. The bumper can safely be used during recovery operations and is also a jack point for a hi-lift as well. Please call the sales office if you have any other questions. Thank you for your interest in the Hanson bumper line.