Step Bumpers & Receiver Hitch - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Razorbacker** · 10-19-2013, 06:03 PM

Does anyone have a Class III or IV receiver hitch installed on their truck with this type step bumpers?

I'm wanting to install a Class IV hitch but to me the bumper looks to low and to deep to use a receiver type hitch.

sboris · 10-19-2013, 08:57 PM

Was wondering this myself. I'm not willing to switch to a sport style bumper for this option as I like the step bumper. Might have to go custom made.. I've got plenty of ride height, but consider on yours the ride height might be a little low. Nice truck by the way

**WIDESIDE72** · 10-19-2013, 09:24 PM

Not exactly the same situation but applicable situation: i had a 93 k2500 with a bent up stock bumper. I found a "ranch hand" pipe rear bumper on the local c list for $50(!). It came with no recieiver hitch provision. I already had a class 4 receiver hitch on the truck. I would not have been able to use it with the ranch hand because it hung too low and far out. I welded up an extension that went into the receiver and bolted to two of the three ball mount holes in the bumper using grade 8 1/2" bolts nuts and lock washers. One end was 2" od other end was 2" id. It was therefore bolted to the frame and bumper.

**Razorbacker** · 10-19-2013, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sboris

Was wondering this myself. I'm not willing to switch to a sport style bumper for this option as I like the step bumper. Might have to go custom made.. I've got plenty of ride height, but consider on yours the ride height might be a little low. Nice truck by the way

Thanks, I'm still trying to get it sorted out to use as a tow vehicle and I would like to keep the step bumper since came with the truck.

**davischevy** · 10-19-2013, 10:02 PM

Subscribed.
I'm still up in the air whether to go sport bumper or leave the step.

BTW, Razorbacker, is that a Longhorn?

**Razorbacker** · 10-19-2013, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WIDESIDE72

Not exactly the same situation but applicable situation: i had a 93 k2500 with a bent up stock bumper. I found a "ranch hand" pipe rear bumper on the local c list for $50(!). It came with no recieiver hitch provision. I already had a class 4 receiver hitch on the truck. I would not have been able to use it with the ranch hand because it hung too low and far out. I welded up an extension that went into the receiver and bolted to two of the three ball mount holes in the bumper using grade 8 1/2" bolts nuts and lock washers. One end was 2" od other end was 2" id. It was therefore bolted to the frame and bumper.

I was thinking something similar by possibly extending the side plates of the hitch but the depth of the bumper from front to back is a concern.

**Razorbacker** · 10-19-2013, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davischevy

Subscribed.
I'm still up in the air whether to go sport bumper or leave the step.

BTW, Razorbacker, is that a Longhorn?

Yep, its a BB Longhorn. I actually bought from a guy in Rogers AR.

tlcrz1972 · 10-19-2013, 10:20 PM

MY thought is loose the step bumper, but that's just me.

Now you might can install a class IV hitch and it will most likely interfere with the so called step/hitch plate some.
So you might could notch out the area where the receiver plug will pass through the lower part of the step bumper. And depending on how they work together you might could fabricate some brackets between the hitch and the bumper. Depending on what kind of trailer and tounge weight your anticipating

Shop around there are many different styles and configurations of receiver hitches out there depending on manufacturer.

**davischevy** · 10-19-2013, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razorbacker

Yep, its a BB Longhorn. I actually bought from a guy in Rogers AR.

Interesting, We bought our 71 GMC BB Longhorn just north of Rogers.

**allchevy58** · 10-19-2013, 11:49 PM

Here's a picture of mine before I put the sport bumper on.

Cordless57 · 10-20-2013, 12:35 AM

Allchevy, could you post a photo showing how and where that receiver connects to the bumper and frame.

I've been wondering this issue as I try to make my GMC with a nice step bumper work as a dedicated towing rig.

jorgensensc · 10-20-2013, 01:30 AM

I by no means have any factual data or measurements, but couldn't you use some type of hidden receiver hitch with a flip down license plate? That's what i did on my 3/4 suburban, although I have a sport bumper.

Mike C · 10-20-2013, 10:00 AM

I had a 70 GMC big block truck with a bumper like that I put a class IV receiver on with no problems. My current 69 short step has a class III on it with the step bumper and it too fits perfectly.

**Razorbacker** · 10-20-2013, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allchevy58

Here's a picture of mine before I put the sport bumper on.

allchevy58 thanks, I think you just answered the question. Your bumper looks very similar to mine.

**Razorbacker** · 10-20-2013, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davischevy

Interesting, We bought our 71 GMC BB Longhorn just north of Rogers.

Cool Longhorn. Who would have thought Rogers was a hotbed for Longhorns?

**davischevy** · 10-20-2013, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razorbacker

Cool Longhorn. Who would have thought Rogers was a hotbed for Longhorns?

It's not anymore, I think we cleaned 'em out.

BTW; I noticed from your profile page you work in Arkansas largest export industry.

Cordless57 · 10-21-2013, 11:53 AM

If you mount the receiver below the step bumper do you lose your spare tire mount? I'd like to see where the receiver mounts below your step bumper. A photo?

**Razorbacker** · 10-21-2013, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike C

I had a 70 GMC big block truck with a bumper like that I put a class IV receiver on with no problems. My current 69 short step has a class III on it with the step bumper and it too fits perfectly.

Thanks, good to know. Sounds like I need to order a receiver hitch.

Quote:

Originally Posted by davischevy

It's not anymore, I think we cleaned 'em out.

BTW; I noticed from your profile page you work in Arkansas largest export industry.

Sure do, good company, its a cool job.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cordless57

If you mount the receiver below the step bumper do you lose your spare tire mount? I'd like to see where the receiver mounts below your step bumper. A photo?

In past experience with other receiver hitch's I've been able to keep my under bed spare tire carrier.

Thanks,
Tony

Beuford · 10-21-2013, 10:31 PM

A class IV no drill receiver from Weaver Distributers

**davischevy** · 10-21-2013, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razorbacker

Does anyone have a Class III or IV receiver hitch installed on their truck with this type step bumpers?

I'm wanting to install a Class IV hitch but to me the bumper looks to low and to deep to use a receiver type hitch.

If you want to retain the step bumper and this one hangs too low for the hitch you choose, I think some 1/2 ton step bumpers dropped down less.

**Razorbacker** · 10-22-2013, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beuford

A class IV no drill receiver from Weaver Distributers

Good info, thanks for pic.

Thanks,
Tony

**allchevy58** · 10-23-2013, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cordless57

Allchevy, could you post a photo showing how and where that receiver connects to the bumper and frame.

I've been wondering this issue as I try to make my GMC with a nice step bumper work as a dedicated towing rig.

Bolts to the frame only, not to the bumper. Same receiver is being ued with the sport bumper.

10-19-2013, 06:03 PM	#1
Razorbacker Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Benton, AR. Posts: 239	Step Bumpers & Receiver Hitch Does anyone have a Class III or IV receiver hitch installed on their truck with this type step bumpers? I'm wanting to install a Class IV hitch but to me the bumper looks to low and to deep to use a receiver type hitch. Attached Images

10-19-2013, 08:57 PM	#2
sboris Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Osceola, Ia Posts: 2,017	Re: Step Bumpers & Receiver Hitch Was wondering this myself. I'm not willing to switch to a sport style bumper for this option as I like the step bumper. Might have to go custom made.. I've got plenty of ride height, but consider on yours the ride height might be a little low. Nice truck by the way __________________ Shawn 68 chevy K/20 05 chevy 3/4 4x4 71 short step-sold 71 chevy Beauville van My build. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=633039

10-19-2013, 09:24 PM	#3
WIDESIDE72 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cedar Park, Texas Posts: 7,500	Re: Step Bumpers & Receiver Hitch Not exactly the same situation but applicable situation: i had a 93 k2500 with a bent up stock bumper. I found a "ranch hand" pipe rear bumper on the local c list for $50(!). It came with no recieiver hitch provision. I already had a class 4 receiver hitch on the truck. I would not have been able to use it with the ranch hand because it hung too low and far out. I welded up an extension that went into the receiver and bolted to two of the three ball mount holes in the bumper using grade 8 1/2" bolts nuts and lock washers. One end was 2" od other end was 2" id. It was therefore bolted to the frame and bumper. Last edited by WIDESIDE72; 10-19-2013 at 09:30 PM.

10-19-2013, 10:02 PM	#5
davischevy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Harrison, Arkansas Posts: 9,866	Re: Step Bumpers & Receiver Hitch Subscribed. I'm still up in the air whether to go sport bumper or leave the step. BTW, Razorbacker, is that a Longhorn?

10-19-2013, 10:20 PM	#8
tlcrz1972 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Gainesville, TEXAS Posts: 658	Re: Step Bumpers & Receiver Hitch MY thought is loose the step bumper, but that's just me. Now you might can install a class IV hitch and it will most likely interfere with the so called step/hitch plate some. So you might could notch out the area where the receiver plug will pass through the lower part of the step bumper. And depending on how they work together you might could fabricate some brackets between the hitch and the bumper. Depending on what kind of trailer and tounge weight your anticipating Shop around there are many different styles and configurations of receiver hitches out there depending on manufacturer. __________________ 1972 Chevrolet Cheyenne LB 1/2 ton finished restoration/rebuild 1995 350 throttle body FI, 4L6E (running on modified GM wiring harness) 3.08 posi rearend, factory A/C on 134A, p/s, p/b, late 70's power windows and locks and cruise, speakers in the dash + 6x9's behind the seat, factory tilt, 40 gallon fuel tank in the bed with integrated tool box, air assist bags on the rearend, sway bar up front and much more. 1972 chevrolet SNB finished 2002, 350 TB FI, TH400, factory A/C, p/b, p/s, (FOR SALE) 1969 Chevrolet 1 ton in work, home made PTO dump bed extended frame, 350 CI , 1972 Chevrolet 3/4 ton suburban future project 1972 Chevrolet 3/4 ton p/u maybe a project one day 1966 Toyota Landcruiser my playtoy

10-19-2013, 11:49 PM	#10
allchevy58 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Reno, Nv. Posts: 1,440	Re: Step Bumpers & Receiver Hitch Here's a picture of mine before I put the sport bumper on. __________________ 1927 Willy's Knight 24,000 original miles, 1958 Impala 283/Powerglide, 1971 Monte Carlo 350/350, 1972 GMC K2500 350/350, 1976 Chev. K10 350/350, 2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD LBZ Duramax/Allison, 2006 Chev. Silverado K3500 LBZ Duramax/Allison

10-20-2013, 12:35 AM	#11
Cordless57 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 83	Re: Step Bumpers & Receiver Hitch Allchevy, could you post a photo showing how and where that receiver connects to the bumper and frame. I've been wondering this issue as I try to make my GMC with a nice step bumper work as a dedicated towing rig.

10-20-2013, 01:30 AM	#12
jorgensensc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cypress, Tx Posts: 4,005	Re: Step Bumpers & Receiver Hitch I by no means have any factual data or measurements, but couldn't you use some type of hidden receiver hitch with a flip down license plate? That's what i did on my 3/4 suburban, although I have a sport bumper. __________________ 1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE

10-20-2013, 10:00 AM	#13
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,728	Re: Step Bumpers & Receiver Hitch I had a 70 GMC big block truck with a bumper like that I put a class IV receiver on with no problems. My current 69 short step has a class III on it with the step bumper and it too fits perfectly. __________________ 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

10-21-2013, 11:53 AM	#17
Cordless57 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 83	Re: Step Bumpers & Receiver Hitch If you mount the receiver below the step bumper do you lose your spare tire mount? I'd like to see where the receiver mounts below your step bumper. A photo? Last edited by Cordless57; 10-21-2013 at 12:04 PM.

10-21-2013, 10:31 PM	#19
Beuford Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Townville,Pa Posts: 284	Re: Step Bumpers & Receiver Hitch A class IV no drill receiver from Weaver Distributers Attached Images



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