Towing with a Step Bumper - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jlampka · 03-28-2021, 10:39 PM

Can I tow with an original step bumper that gets bolted to the frame via the bumper brackets? I have a 1972 GMC 3500 1 ton truck. I guess I am asking if the original bumper, which is in very nice condition, is strong enough to tow. Thanks in advance!

Greasey Harley · 03-28-2021, 11:01 PM

Lots of trailers have been pulled with a bumper hitch. I pull my motorcycle trailer off the bumper of my k10 but I sure wouldn't pull anything heavy with that setup.
Regardless, a receiver hitch bolted to the frame is always the safest option.

jlampka · 03-28-2021, 11:39 PM

maybe i will go the u haul route. thanks

**kwmech** · 03-29-2021, 10:52 AM

I think you can go up to 3500 lbs with just the bumper. Anything over should have have a receiver

**HO455** · 03-29-2021, 01:30 PM

Like most things, not all bumpers back in the day had the same capacity. Long before the receiver style hitches became available people pulled heavy trailers every day.
The K20 my dad owned came with service boxes and a step bumper. That box and bumper got transferred to the next 2 trucks he owned. I will swear that bumper weighed 250 pounds. The first time moved it we did it by hand. The next time the old man got a friend with a fork lift to help. The actual service box was easier to swap than the bumper was.
A careful inspection of the materials used and the design of the bumper and its mounting should determine it's ability tow. The fact it is on a 1 ton may mean it is heavier duty.
After all who ever heard of a dealership missing a chance to sell a more expensive bumper.

**tdangle** · 03-30-2021, 04:34 PM

the bumper that came on my truck must be pretty strong. Not only did my dad haul the 2 horse trailer with 2 horses in it, he hauled a huge boat for his neighbor with it. He had a drop welded on it for the correct height. I put a receiver hitch on it now and cut off the drop, looks way better.

Mike C · 03-30-2021, 09:02 PM

The step bumper on my short step looks pretty robust, but it attaches to the frame with 1/8" angle L brackets that are made from 2 1/2" strap. I wouldn't tow more than 2000# max with that setup. I added a receiver and have pulled at least 4000# short distances.

03-28-2021, 10:39 PM	#1
jlampka Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: North Tonawanda, NY Posts: 236	Towing with a Step Bumper Can I tow with an original step bumper that gets bolted to the frame via the bumper brackets? I have a 1972 GMC 3500 1 ton truck. I guess I am asking if the original bumper, which is in very nice condition, is strong enough to tow. Thanks in advance!

03-28-2021, 11:01 PM	#2
Greasey Harley Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Post Falls, ID Posts: 884	Re: Towing with a Step Bumper Lots of trailers have been pulled with a bumper hitch. I pull my motorcycle trailer off the bumper of my k10 but I sure wouldn't pull anything heavy with that setup. Regardless, a receiver hitch bolted to the frame is always the safest option. __________________ Insert clever text here:

03-28-2021, 11:39 PM	#3
jlampka Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: North Tonawanda, NY Posts: 236	Re: Towing with a Step Bumper maybe i will go the u haul route. thanks

03-29-2021, 10:52 AM	#4
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,397	Re: Towing with a Step Bumper I think you can go up to 3500 lbs with just the bumper. Anything over should have have a receiver

03-29-2021, 01:30 PM	#5
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 10,842	Re: Towing with a Step Bumper Like most things, not all bumpers back in the day had the same capacity. Long before the receiver style hitches became available people pulled heavy trailers every day. The K20 my dad owned came with service boxes and a step bumper. That box and bumper got transferred to the next 2 trucks he owned. I will swear that bumper weighed 250 pounds. The first time moved it we did it by hand. The next time the old man got a friend with a fork lift to help. The actual service box was easier to swap than the bumper was. A careful inspection of the materials used and the design of the bumper and its mounting should determine it's ability tow. The fact it is on a 1 ton may mean it is heavier duty. After all who ever heard of a dealership missing a chance to sell a more expensive bumper. __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

03-30-2021, 04:34 PM	#6
tdangle Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jurupa Valley, Ca Posts: 1,209	Re: Towing with a Step Bumper the bumper that came on my truck must be pretty strong. Not only did my dad haul the 2 horse trailer with 2 horses in it, he hauled a huge boat for his neighbor with it. He had a drop welded on it for the correct height. I put a receiver hitch on it now and cut off the drop, looks way better. __________________ Terry 1970 Custom Camper/C20 , GM Crate 350/7004R, Dana 60, factory AC

03-30-2021, 09:02 PM	#7
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,714	Re: Towing with a Step Bumper The step bumper on my short step looks pretty robust, but it attaches to the frame with 1/8" angle L brackets that are made from 2 1/2" strap. I wouldn't tow more than 2000# max with that setup. I added a receiver and have pulled at least 4000# short distances. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax



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