I'm trying to get information about using the "tow bumper" on my 93 Ranger. Have been doing some web searches without much success.

My rear step bumper has a hole that apparently can recieve a ball hitch. Can anyone give me some tips on rigging my Ranger to tow a small (12') trailered boat? I bought it used so I don't have the original manual - am wondering about:

A) load limits

B) how difficult it would be to wire the trailer lights - I don't think this vehicle has a "tow package"

C) any other potential pitfalls with this project

thanks,
TK

Bolt a hitch ball through that hole. I think its rated for a 500 pound tongue weight, which your boat will be under. If your truck is a 4x4 the angle of the trailer may not be good since you wont be able to get the benefit of a drop down reciever hitch. You want the trailer as level as possible. Worst comes to worst you can find used reciever hitches for $50 or so that just bolt to your frame. I can't help you with trailer wiring. Many RV dealers can wire it for you inexpensively. Hope this helps.

For trailer wiring, go to Autozone or another major parts store. They sell "plug and play" T-Split connectors for the trailer wiring. You disconnect the stock connectors back by the tail lights, hook it in the middle and it gives you a trailer wiring harness out the back. That is what I did for mine and it works wonders, only took about 10 minutes to install. Watch it though, the tabs break easy on those stock connectors. Ask me how...go ahead. Let's just say that mine isn't coming off anytime soon because the tab to pull up on...broke off as I was installing it.

Connector looks like this:

Wiring coming in
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|
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-----------Trailer Harness
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|
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Other side of stock harness

Sorry, bad diagram. Anyway, any major auto parts store should sell them.

my stock bumper IIRC is rated for 2000lb trailer weight with 200lb tongue weight. my hidden hitch is 500/5000