Towing Accident
I don't know where you're getting your info from, but it's wrong.
http://www.motorcycletrailer.com/DMVlinks1.html
I don't know what kind of car you were towing, but I'm guessing that it and the tow dolly put you right at or over that 3,500 pound limit.
http://www.motorcycletrailer.com/DMVlinks1.html
I don't know what kind of car you were towing, but I'm guessing that it and the tow dolly put you right at or over that 3,500 pound limit.
+1 on buckstop and ranchhand bumpers, that's what I want.
Registered User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Our trucks have a Class 2 bumper hitch which allows for 500lb tongue weight and up to 4000lb load. This falls in the category for their specifications for their tow dollies. I will be installing a Class 3 hitch now as I wouldn't trust that part of the frame where the bumper assembly attachs to. No, I didn't get any pics of my sisters car. I wish i would have as it would have been nice to see the accident now that I am not so worked up. I'm sure you all would have liked to see them also. As for playing the lotto, I think I used up my luck for the time being 
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.Life and limbs safe bumper replaceable...
Do change your towing manners...Next time luck may not be on your side..
U-haul was the not to blame for your error...That is way our insurance is going through the roof...
Have A Great Day!!
Grand Champion
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,055
Likes: 7
From: Lee County, North Carolina
Wow I haven't been to Wilton in eons...wasn't that where North Star Steel is/was? Or is it Durant? Spent a lot of time there back in the day...
I've lost 2 or 3 vehicles to Iowa deer. IMO they're rats with antlers.
I'm also suprised you were allowed to use a bumper hitch to tow a loaded dolly. The rating for your bumper is a "perfect world" rating, as you have found out. Your loved ones were very lucky...
A brush guard is for "brush"...It will simply do more damage to your front end when the deer bends it into your grill and hood. Something like a buckstop or Ranch hand bumper might take the punishment. Hitting an adult deer at speed is like hitting a fullsize car. But it's not nearly as bad as an elk or moose...
I've lost 2 or 3 vehicles to Iowa deer. IMO they're rats with antlers.
I'm also suprised you were allowed to use a bumper hitch to tow a loaded dolly. The rating for your bumper is a "perfect world" rating, as you have found out. Your loved ones were very lucky...
A brush guard is for "brush"...It will simply do more damage to your front end when the deer bends it into your grill and hood. Something like a buckstop or Ranch hand bumper might take the punishment. Hitting an adult deer at speed is like hitting a fullsize car. But it's not nearly as bad as an elk or moose...
Well...this thread for some odd reason really piqued my interest in what can or can't be towed with a Ram. So I went out and grabbed my owners manual from the glove box and started reading what the factory reccomends for towing.
I was suprised to read that Dodge says thier factory installed step bumper is rated as a class lll hitch with a 5000 lb towing capacity, YEP...thats what the owners manual says! Would I do that? NOT ON YOUR LIFE!
Secondly, my manual states that all Dodge Rams (doesnt specify size) can safely tow up to 2000 lbs with out any "optional" towing equipment. That means tow package.
It also gave a pretty decent breakdown on max GVW loaded vehicle, and max GVW when towing along with maximum towing loads, so if you want to know what your specific numbers are, and will accept what a 2000 manual says (in case you don't have one) you can ask me. Remember that thses ratings are "perfect world" and although it states my ram can haul 10.000 lbs between truck and trailer, I would not attempt it. It will barely haul about 8000 lbs.
I was suprised to read that Dodge says thier factory installed step bumper is rated as a class lll hitch with a 5000 lb towing capacity, YEP...thats what the owners manual says! Would I do that? NOT ON YOUR LIFE!
Secondly, my manual states that all Dodge Rams (doesnt specify size) can safely tow up to 2000 lbs with out any "optional" towing equipment. That means tow package.
It also gave a pretty decent breakdown on max GVW loaded vehicle, and max GVW when towing along with maximum towing loads, so if you want to know what your specific numbers are, and will accept what a 2000 manual says (in case you don't have one) you can ask me. Remember that thses ratings are "perfect world" and although it states my ram can haul 10.000 lbs between truck and trailer, I would not attempt it. It will barely haul about 8000 lbs.
Thread Starter
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Rookie
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Well, I have the same charts in my 94 as I got lucky to get all the manuals with it. My bumper was in no way rusted, rotted, etc. I was towing a 03' Alero. Truck stopped perfectly and handled great. I think, with the bumper holding up and only twisting makes me want to trust them alittle more than others say. This is just from first hand experience. Its really in all how you drive. I drive with caution and always will. I was even doing the "55mph" speed rating that U-Hauls have on it. Not trying to start an argument and will delete this thread my self if anyone so tries. It is what it is. Bumper took the brunt like it should and held up great. Although I am investing in a class 3 frame mounted hitch, I still wouldn't hesitate to haul with my bumper. Thank You.
Thread Starter
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Rookie
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
I wish. Sheriffs had to pull it off the highway. My sisters car was already wrecked(due to a front end collision) and all my truck did to it was flattened the hood back down alittle on the drivers side. As for North Star Steel, it is now Gerdau. The deer here suck as I have had to avoid a few in the past years. I was able to pull the bumper off today in about an hour. No bolt or nut was rusted together(thank god). All came apart fairly easy. Now just to bend the portion of the frame that the bumper brackets bolted to on the drivers side and install new bumper.
