will my bumper hold? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

GreenMystChevy · 04-29-2002, 12:50 PM

I have a step bumper on my '71 C-10 and I was wondering how well that will hold up to me pulling my ski boat. My dad said that I can't use their cars anymore for takin the boat out for a little fun in the sun and so I have to use mine. It is securely held with high grade bolts but I am just wondering if the rest of it will hold up. Thanks guys.

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'71 C-10
'70 Chevelle SS
Seattle, WA

JJR · 04-29-2002, 01:03 PM

How heavy is the boat/trailer? I tow our camper (2500lbs) with my factory step bumper and have not had any problems.

nosurf · 04-29-2002, 01:04 PM

What is the tongue weight and what diameter and grade bolts?

GreenMystChevy · 04-29-2002, 02:30 PM

Well, not too sure bout the weight of the trailer, it is a competition ski boat, a Ski Nautique, so it's not too light. The bolts, I am not too sure about the size and grade at the moment. They are whatever size holds the bumper brackets to the frame and my dad made sure to buy some real high grade bolts.

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'71 C-10
'70 Chevelle SS
Seattle, WA

*Gee_Emm* · 04-29-2002, 10:31 PM

My Dad had a huge steel diamond plate step bumper on his 70 CST, after pulling a 5000lb boat and trailer a few times I looked down the edge of it from the end and it was clearly bent, came out about an inch in the middle from the body.

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1969 Chevrolet Custom Camper 20 350/400 70k original miles, 99% rust free, Never winter driven

They have the Internet on Computers now? --Homer Simpson

Gee_Emm's Page

Vote for my truck to be on the label of a bottle of Jones Soda!!!

Longhorn Man · 04-29-2002, 10:51 PM

I don't trust these things for anything more than the light ocasional jobs. Are you talking about a full trailer...or one of those little things you see Miatas towing?

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'69 G.M.C. 350/350. Trying to clean up the left over damage from the Dope-Smokin-Old-Man
I've been dubbed the Longhorn Freak/Fanatic/Expert, I just hope I can live up to it.
FINALLY got the HORNIAC...a '70 one ton Longhorn with a Pontiac 350/350 and lots of 'personality'. Check out The Longhorn Webite.
If you need a pic posted, E-mail me at longhornmail@yahoo.com
Andy, in Columbus Ohio

GreenMystChevy · 04-30-2002, 12:13 AM

Well, as long as you guys think that the thing will hold up for occasional use to the boat launch, about a 20 minute drive up and down small hills, then I will go ahead and use it.
And no, this is not one of those little trailers, it needs a truck of somesort to pull it, being that the trailer is twice as long as a miata.

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'71 C-10
'70 Chevelle SS
Seattle, WA

**68SWB4x4** · 04-30-2002, 12:43 AM

my step bumper has a built in reciver hitch, IMO its as good as a frame mounted hitch

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My Truck pictures

www.xframeimpala.com

68 4x4 short fleetside 327 CH465 edelbrock intake and carb MSD distributor its the "SHAGROLET"
56 big window short stepside 235 dual 1 brls
64ImpalaSS 327
70 C10 LWB fleetside custom/10 350/TH350
IM me on aol SN= SHAGROLET

68 Suburban · 04-30-2002, 02:33 AM

If you are unsure, why would you take a chance? You can get a frame hitch for $60.

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DJ · 04-30-2002, 07:24 AM

check out http://67-72chevytrucks.com/board/ub...ML/002305.html

[img]http://communities.msn.com/_Secure/0QAAAAKkWPvILzTyEzAScObUmJBbgkGEHQ3qqW8!EHI9tIE8C6e450pxx*e5ySir0M*ogZJyXpsDRDyj0ct3tEF32tHlG0o7kLwB sAG8AZwA/TrailerHitchTest.jpg[/img]

get the hitch!

later,
DJ

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70 C20, AC, 307/3 on tree, fleetside longbed,
Baton Rouge,Louisiana

[This message has been edited by DJ (edited April 30, 2002).]

[This message has been edited by DJ (edited April 30, 2002).]

dubie · 04-30-2002, 08:07 AM

Ya got any pics of your ski boat? I have an 18 1/2 foot, 1984 Sidewinder with a 150HP Mariner O/B. The thing tops out around 65mph, but that's fast enough on the water. My step bumper towed it with no problems, and it was a 20 minute drive with a couple hills along the way. I have yet to see any kind of bending in mine. And I did all that towing with a 250 inline, 3 speed combo.

------------------
72 C/10 LWB 2wd
250 inline 6, 3 speed column shift. Soon to have a total facelift.

Hutch · 04-30-2002, 08:32 AM

I pull my 19 ft Supra comp with my 71 with a step bumper with no problems.The p/g and coil springs work very well in this role.

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John Hutchison
Grapevine,Texas
76051
71 1/2 ton swb 307 pg
69 Jaguar XK-E 4.2 Roadster

72shadetree · 04-30-2002, 10:06 AM

i have factory step on my 72 and never had a problem.used to pull 18ft car trailer with 3500 lb race car 180 mile round trip about 85 times and still pull anything that needs to go on that trailer.hell i even got a step on bronco with a reese bolted to the bumper.not frame mount.i use that to hook to people stuck and its been pulled/jerked hard.just inspect bumper/bolts/ball often.

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72 chevy lwb 2wd rear leaf truck.long term frame off project.
72 cheyenne 2wd lwb 355 cu. in. auto.daily driver and fixer up.
90 fullsize bronco 351w/at.(no lift yet)
97 lumina v6 auto(wifes)
70 galaxie 351w auto
2000 kentworth 525cat twin turbo 13 spd 330rears.moneymaker
bassett va about12 miles from martinsville speedway

#3 RACING IN HEAVEN #3

GreenMystChevy · 04-30-2002, 01:52 PM

Well, I think that I will go ahead and use the bumper that I have. It sounds almost exactly like the setup that Dubie and Hutch have going on. When I get a little more money I'll spring for the frame mounted hitch so that I can pull that boat anywhere and not worry. I just wanted to make sure that bumpers weren't falling off or breaking as a result of pulling a trailer. Thanks a lot for the response guys.

------------------
'71 C-10
'70 Chevelle SS
Seattle, WA

**guyryan100** · 04-30-2002, 02:01 PM

Well, to be perfectly honest, that picture is enough to convince me to get a big boat and tow it around with me just in case I careen over a huge cliff. Seems like a much-needed safety feature.

Sure hope the guy made it out . . .

Longhorn Man · 04-30-2002, 09:30 PM

Push it too hard, and they WILL rip. Look in the left hand corner of the hitch area...I had a close up, but can't find it now.
I towed a one ton Longhorn with a 4X4 K/5 Blazer (with a tow bar) over 400 miles....don't make it right.

------------------
'69 G.M.C. 350/350. Trying to clean up the left over damage from the Dope-Smokin-Old-Man
I've been dubbed the Longhorn Freak/Fanatic/Expert, I just hope I can live up to it.
FINALLY got the HORNIAC...a '70 one ton Longhorn with a Pontiac 350/350 and lots of 'personality'. Check out The Longhorn Webite.
If you need a pic posted, E-mail me at longhornmail@yahoo.com
Andy, in Columbus Ohio

stelth2002 · 04-30-2002, 09:43 PM

Thats and easy desicion. Get a frame mounted hitch. My neighbor had a nice 72. New engine, everything, fresh frame off. Kept the same hitch setup and while pulling a trailer the bumper tore and foward and ended up rolling his nice 72. Same for me I got a frame mounted even for the occasional.

------------------
67 Chevrolet LWB with rebuilt 292. 415 ft. lbs of torque, 4 speed, 3.73 Posi, straight and almost painted.

04-29-2002, 12:50 PM	#1
GreenMystChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 513	will my bumper hold? I have a step bumper on my '71 C-10 and I was wondering how well that will hold up to me pulling my ski boat. My dad said that I can't use their cars anymore for takin the boat out for a little fun in the sun and so I have to use mine. It is securely held with high grade bolts but I am just wondering if the rest of it will hold up. Thanks guys. ------------------ '71 C-10 '70 Chevelle SS Seattle, WA __________________ Jeremy '71 C-10 '72 GMC K2500 '72 Nova (Dad's) '70 Chevelle SS '55 Sedan Delivery Attempting to build up this here 4x4...make her real tall and purty...well, maybe just tall

04-29-2002, 01:03 PM	#2
JJR Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Leesburg, GA Posts: 746	How heavy is the boat/trailer? I tow our camper (2500lbs) with my factory step bumper and have not had any problems. __________________ FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE DRUM BRAKE CLUB Second Owner 70 C-10 Second Owner 93 GMC C1500 Third Owner 99 C2500 Crew Cab Short Bed

04-29-2002, 02:30 PM	#4
GreenMystChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 513	Well, not too sure bout the weight of the trailer, it is a competition ski boat, a Ski Nautique, so it's not too light. The bolts, I am not too sure about the size and grade at the moment. They are whatever size holds the bumper brackets to the frame and my dad made sure to buy some real high grade bolts. ------------------ '71 C-10 '70 Chevelle SS Seattle, WA __________________ Jeremy '71 C-10 '72 GMC K2500 '72 Nova (Dad's) '70 Chevelle SS '55 Sedan Delivery Attempting to build up this here 4x4...make her real tall and purty...well, maybe just tall

04-30-2002, 12:13 AM	#7
GreenMystChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 513	Well, as long as you guys think that the thing will hold up for occasional use to the boat launch, about a 20 minute drive up and down small hills, then I will go ahead and use it. And no, this is not one of those little trailers, it needs a truck of somesort to pull it, being that the trailer is twice as long as a miata. ------------------ '71 C-10 '70 Chevelle SS Seattle, WA __________________ Jeremy '71 C-10 '72 GMC K2500 '72 Nova (Dad's) '70 Chevelle SS '55 Sedan Delivery Attempting to build up this here 4x4...make her real tall and purty...well, maybe just tall

04-30-2002, 12:43 AM	#8
68SWB4x4 Strongman Garage Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Salinas, CA Posts: 10,241	my step bumper has a built in reciver hitch, IMO its as good as a frame mounted hitch ------------------ My Truck pictures www.xframeimpala.com 68 4x4 short fleetside 327 CH465 edelbrock intake and carb MSD distributor its the "SHAGROLET" 56 big window short stepside 235 dual 1 brls 64ImpalaSS 327 70 C10 LWB fleetside custom/10 350/TH350 IM me on aol SN= SHAGROLET __________________ Kalle 68 GMC Suburban 1500 4x4 SOLD 69 Pontiac Lemans 99 Silverado 4.8 5 speed ECSB [ Facebook Instagram Subscribe on YOUTUBE

04-29-2002, 01:04 PM	#3
nosurf Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Plymouth, NH, USA Posts: 278	What is the tongue weight and what diameter and grade bolts? __________________ 1971 C-20 2wd, LB, white/copper 1964 Impala conv. 1957 Bel Air Wagon 1948 Chev 3100 1930 model A coupe 1929 model A speedster pickup

04-29-2002, 10:31 PM	#5
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,002	My Dad had a huge steel diamond plate step bumper on his 70 CST, after pulling a 5000lb boat and trailer a few times I looked down the edge of it from the end and it was clearly bent, came out about an inch in the middle from the body. ------------------ 1969 Chevrolet Custom Camper 20 350/400 70k original miles, 99% rust free, Never winter driven They have the Internet on Computers now? --Homer Simpson Gee_Emm's Page Vote for my truck to be on the label of a bottle of Jones Soda!!!

04-29-2002, 10:51 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I don't trust these things for anything more than the light ocasional jobs. Are you talking about a full trailer...or one of those little things you see Miatas towing? ------------------ '69 G.M.C. 350/350. Trying to clean up the left over damage from the Dope-Smokin-Old-Man I've been dubbed the Longhorn Freak/Fanatic/Expert, I just hope I can live up to it. FINALLY got the HORNIAC...a '70 one ton Longhorn with a Pontiac 350/350 and lots of 'personality'. Check out The Longhorn Webite. If you need a pic posted, E-mail me at longhornmail@yahoo.com Andy, in Columbus Ohio

04-30-2002, 02:33 AM	#9
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	If you are unsure, why would you take a chance? You can get a frame hitch for $60. ------------------ Check out other members trucks 1968 50th Anniversary C-10 Suburban (Tows all these cars all over the place) 1968 50th Anniversary C-10 Pickup 1968 50th Anniversary C-20 Pickup CST, FOR SALE 1969 SS Camaro Conv't 1960 Lakewood Travel Trailer 1963 Ford Falcon Wagon, On Ebay for $1250 2000 Chevy Malibu (Suppose to be daily driver, but the Burb is) Phoenix, AZ. Click Here for Parts and Venicles I have Available THINGS I AM LOOKING FOR: 67-68 SUBURBAN TRIM. $$$$ Reward for finding the 3rd door trim piece and the small piece that goes on the 1/4 panel right behind the 3rd door. __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation.

04-30-2002, 07:24 AM	#10
DJ Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 147	check out http://67-72chevytrucks.com/board/ub...ML/002305.html [img]http://communities.msn.com/_Secure/0QAAAAKkWPvILzTyEzAScObUmJBbgkGEHQ3qqW8!EHI9tIE8C6e450pxxe5ySir0MogZJyXpsDRDyj0ct3tEF32tHlG0o7kLwB sAG8AZwA/TrailerHitchTest.jpg[/img] get the hitch! later, DJ ------------------ 70 C20, AC, 307/3 on tree, fleetside longbed, Baton Rouge,Louisiana [This message has been edited by DJ (edited April 30, 2002).] [This message has been edited by DJ (edited April 30, 2002).] __________________ 70 C20, AC, 307/3 on tree, fleetside longbed, Baton Rouge,Louisiana

04-30-2002, 08:07 AM	#11
dubie Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 8,855	Ya got any pics of your ski boat? I have an 18 1/2 foot, 1984 Sidewinder with a 150HP Mariner O/B. The thing tops out around 65mph, but that's fast enough on the water. My step bumper towed it with no problems, and it was a 20 minute drive with a couple hills along the way. I have yet to see any kind of bending in mine. And I did all that towing with a 250 inline, 3 speed combo. ------------------ 72 C/10 LWB 2wd 250 inline 6, 3 speed column shift. Soon to have a total facelift. __________________ My name's Tim and I'm a truckaholic My 56 Chevy shop truck build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=562795

04-30-2002, 08:32 AM	#12
Hutch Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Grapevine, Tx. Posts: 2,140	I pull my 19 ft Supra comp with my 71 with a step bumper with no problems.The p/g and coil springs work very well in this role. ------------------ John Hutchison Grapevine,Texas 76051 71 1/2 ton swb 307 pg 69 Jaguar XK-E 4.2 Roadster __________________ John Hutchison Grapevine,Texas 68 1/2 t swb 68 Mustang 69 Jaguar 71 1/2 t swb 88 Supra CompTs6m 93 Escort GT 2005 Corolla XRS

04-30-2002, 10:06 AM	#13
72shadetree KEEP ON TRUCKING Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: martinsville va Posts: 2,563	i have factory step on my 72 and never had a problem.used to pull 18ft car trailer with 3500 lb race car 180 mile round trip about 85 times and still pull anything that needs to go on that trailer.hell i even got a step on bronco with a reese bolted to the bumper.not frame mount.i use that to hook to people stuck and its been pulled/jerked hard.just inspect bumper/bolts/ball often. ------------------ 72 chevy lwb 2wd rear leaf truck.long term frame off project. 72 cheyenne 2wd lwb 355 cu. in. auto.daily driver and fixer up. 90 fullsize bronco 351w/at.(no lift yet) 97 lumina v6 auto(wifes) 70 galaxie 351w auto 2000 kentworth 525cat twin turbo 13 spd 330rears.moneymaker bassett va about12 miles from martinsville speedway #3 RACING IN HEAVEN #3 __________________ 72 cheyenne 2wd lwb 71 k20 sons bassett va

04-30-2002, 01:52 PM	#14
GreenMystChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 513	Well, I think that I will go ahead and use the bumper that I have. It sounds almost exactly like the setup that Dubie and Hutch have going on. When I get a little more money I'll spring for the frame mounted hitch so that I can pull that boat anywhere and not worry. I just wanted to make sure that bumpers weren't falling off or breaking as a result of pulling a trailer. Thanks a lot for the response guys. ------------------ '71 C-10 '70 Chevelle SS Seattle, WA __________________ Jeremy '71 C-10 '72 GMC K2500 '72 Nova (Dad's) '70 Chevelle SS '55 Sedan Delivery Attempting to build up this here 4x4...make her real tall and purty...well, maybe just tall

04-30-2002, 02:01 PM	#15
guyryan100 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 466	Well, to be perfectly honest, that picture is enough to convince me to get a big boat and tow it around with me just in case I careen over a huge cliff. Seems like a much-needed safety feature. Sure hope the guy made it out . . .



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04-30-2002, 09:30 PM	#16
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Push it too hard, and they WILL rip. Look in the left hand corner of the hitch area...I had a close up, but can't find it now. I towed a one ton Longhorn with a 4X4 K/5 Blazer (with a tow bar) over 400 miles....don't make it right. ------------------ '69 G.M.C. 350/350. Trying to clean up the left over damage from the Dope-Smokin-Old-Man I've been dubbed the Longhorn Freak/Fanatic/Expert, I just hope I can live up to it. FINALLY got the HORNIAC...a '70 one ton Longhorn with a Pontiac 350/350 and lots of 'personality'. Check out The Longhorn Webite. If you need a pic posted, E-mail me at longhornmail@yahoo.com Andy, in Columbus Ohio

04-30-2002, 09:43 PM	#17
stelth2002 Young Gun wth Fast Inline Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Idaho Posts: 1,475	Thats and easy desicion. Get a frame mounted hitch. My neighbor had a nice 72. New engine, everything, fresh frame off. Kept the same hitch setup and while pulling a trailer the bumper tore and foward and ended up rolling his nice 72. Same for me I got a frame mounted even for the occasional. ------------------ 67 Chevrolet LWB with rebuilt 292. 415 ft. lbs of torque, 4 speed, 3.73 Posi, straight and almost painted. __________________ 1967 Chevrolet LWB with built 292! 415 ft. lbs of torque, 4 speed :O with 27% overdrive too, 3.73 Posi. Frame and body done... getting painted!!!

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