New Owner: Can I tow my 2720 with an F150 BUMPER ball?

indicafilms · 02-06-2020, 08:00 AM

Hi

Happy and excited to pick up my brand new 2720 in alabama. I live in Florida.

So my wife totaled out our tow vehicle. I have access to borrow an f150 that has no receiver but it does have a ball mount on the bumper. Its rated for 5000 lbs.
I know this isnt IDEAL, but do you think I will be fine? Anybody every do this?

Im not worried about the weight, the only concern I have is that the trailer will be up a little higher in front to reach the bumper. I guess, imo, theres no issue but I sure would feel better if someone chimed in saying that they have done this.

Thanks!

**rtcassel** · 02-06-2020, 08:38 AM

If the F150 does not have a receiver, it probably does not have the wiring so that a brake controller can actuate the trailer's brakes.

tentcamper · 02-06-2020, 09:32 AM

It depends how far you are going?

I did not think the bumper was rated at 5,000 lbs. I would check the rating of the truck??

Also, the top of the ball should be level or slightly lower (level to -1 inch) than the top of the trailer coupler.

**wbmiller3** · 02-06-2020, 10:11 AM

The TM has a high tongue weight. 600 #? Better check what the bumper can take. I'm guessing it's a bad idea.

indicafilms · 02-06-2020, 10:30 AM

The bumper absolutely is 5000 lbs towing and 500 lbs tongue. Back in the day everyone used these for towing and receivers werent really a thing.

Ive been towing my old 3900 lbs trailer with a honda pilot for years without brakes with no fear or issues. I baby the hell out of my rig.

So the only question here is the fact that the TM will be pitched up a bit. Opinions?

indicafilms · 02-06-2020, 10:32 AM

And the tongue weight is 385.

**Bill** · 02-06-2020, 02:01 PM

You will probably want to review your weight assumptions.

The DRY WEIGHT of a 2720 is specified right around 3000 pounds. But once the factory and dealer options are added (air conditioner, awning, trailer battery, etc), the UNLOADED ROAD WEIGHT is nearer 3500 pounds or a bit more. Anything that you add to the TM on top of the UNLOADED ROAD WEIGHT can easily bring the LOADED ROAD WEIGHT to 4000 pounds. Will you be adding anything to the unloaded trailer?

By the same token, the DRY TONGUE WEIGHT is specified as 350-400 pounds, depending on what configuration of the 2720 you will pick up. The UNLOADED TONGUE WEIGHT is higher, and the LOADED TONGUE WEIGHT will be higher than that. In general, about 14% of all weight above the trailer's DRY WEIGHT will appear as an addition to the LOADED TONGUE WEIGHT.

As far as I know, if a trailer weighs more than 2000 pounds, it is illegal everywhere in the country to tow it without brakes. You will want to confirm the laws in Florida and Alabama, of course.

If brakes are required, and you tow without them, you may void your insurance coverage.

Besides the lack of brakes, you will need some kind of adapter to make the TM 7-pin electrical plug work with the truck's 4-pin socket. Without it, the trailer's brake lights / turn signals won't work. Perhaps you can wire in some clamp-on or stick-on brake lights, as are used by tow trucks.

There are a lot of hitch balls out there rated for 2000 pounds or 3000 pounds. You will want to be sure you buy one rated 5000 pounds or more.

As far as towing nose-up, there should be no problem as long as you don't go over a swale, speed bump, or railroad grade that makes the rear end drag.

It's good to know that you baby your rig. And I'm glad you have been able to tow your earlier trailer, of about the same size, without fear. I'm not sure anyone here is going to recommend it.

Bill

**commodor47** · 02-06-2020, 04:15 PM

Since the TM your are purchasing is fairly close to where you live in FL (assuming your are not too far away) can you ask the seller to tow it to your location? Again, I am assuming the seller has that capability. It might be worth the peace of mind. You could offer to pay for the fuel and perhaps add something for his/her time.

Dick