e250 van towing

[gizmo]

i have a friend with a 2006 e250 van. the rear bumper has a hole in it... for a hitch i'm assuming. but the bumper doesn't appear to be part of or attached to the frame. yet the vans rated for 6klb towing. can i tow a 4300lb car + flatbed with that van?

[IMBoring25]

I'd be quite reticent about hanging that much on any bumper hitch beyond just moving it around a parking lot. Put a proper Class III receiver under it and you'll have nothing to worry about.

[comingbackdown]

^ What he said. I wouldn't toss anywhere near that amount of weight on a bumper hitch on anything. That's just... not a good idea.

[Rope-Pusher]

You sly dawg - looks like yur gonna get hitched! Have you set a date? Who's the lucky guy?

[theholycow]

Look more closely at the bumper. The bumper's rating is probably stamped into it. If it's OEM then it's ok to trust that rating. Modern truck and van bumpers are not like they used to be.

If it's truly not attached to anything structural then it's not OEM. Ford would not be allowed to mass produce it like that.

I'll try to remember to check out my dad's 2002 E250 and see how it's attached, if I'm in the area.