Just for the bumper mounted ball. Bumpers are practically sheet metal.

 

Our bumper doesnt even do any of the towing. There is an actual hitch (well not a real hitch, if that makes sense) under the chrome that takes all the weight:
IMG_20110121_201205.jpg

 

i have a 1997 thats has the 318 5 speed 4x4 3.55 gears and i tow a inclosed race car trailor about 60 miles in the adrondack moutains i have no issue taking off and moving up the road at 65 70. I'm running on a class 3 hitch and the only thing i see as an issue it that if i try i can still smoke the rubber right clean off the back of my truck. Also i found out last summer from the DOT that the truck has a 5000# also found out that i have been running down the road with about 1200# more then whats im trying to stop it with. (for you who don't know about 6800# trailer total weight.) this summer i changed the size of the rotors and converted from drums to rotors in the rear. (wish i never did the conversion rear rotors sucks a** with the rust and salt up here) but regardless i did go get my cdl and legally anyone with a stock truck and licance is only allowed 12000# total truck and trailor. even if you are 1# over you will get told to find a dot approved driver and or off load until your under weight. (hug fine btw) so keep an eye on there (NOTE: this is for the state of New York)

 

During my PCS move from Virginia to Nebraska I towed a 5,000 pound trailer 1,200 plus miles with no trouble. The truck was pulling the trailer up the mountains of West Virginia as I passed full size trucks that were pushing max RPMs.

 

Oh dang. I never even looked at my new dakota that close, that's an interesting way to do it though. Like a baby drop hitch. I've owned a Ranger and an S10 before.. they were actual bumper mount hitches. Also much sturdier bumpers btw....

I saw your pic before but didn't even notice that wasn't your drop hitch. Thanks for clarifying.

 

Yeah, I thought this was alot better setup than my old Chevy that had the bumper and hitch in one. Its nice for that person that does the occasional tow. These new bumpers are like tin foil. When I got rear ended, that thing went in to the box like nothing. My old chevy took a few hits, and it was just bent down a little bit. Not even a dent in the bumper. Its all those damn saftey standards nowadays. Lol

 

Yup. Everything has to crush except the passengers.

 

Yea, but did you have it modded like you do know? Because if you did, you don't count lol. Almost like a CTD guy chiming in and saying his truck can pull it no problem. HAHA JK buddy..