Hey all, I have a 2006 Lariat SCab with the trailer hitch package. I have never towed anything with it. When I look under the rear bumper I can see the plug for the electrical as well as what appears to be the metal trailer hitch structure/frame. Is all I need to do is attach a trailer hitch ball to that hole in my bumper and I am good to go? What brand/type do you all recommend?
Thanks - Steve

 

No, you need a drawbar and ball to plug into the receiver under the bumper unless you are towing something real light, then you could put just a ball on the bumper. You should be able to get a drawbar, ball, and locking pin at any parts store for $50 or so. Make sure you get one with the correct "rise" or "drop" so the trailer you will be towing will sit relatively level. Almost always, a bumper ball will be too high. I believe you can even buy the equipment at a U-Haul dealer.

If you will be towing a trailer with electric brakes, you will also need a brake controller and the rear plug needs to be a round 7 pin.

 

Thanks for the info. I would be towing a 4'x8' UHaul Trailer with about 250lbs of cargo. Not much at all...
When you say receiver, are you referring to the square hole opening...? I do not have that.

 

You do not have the "trailer tow package". You have the stock bumper which includes the 4-pin electrical connection. The trailer tow package has a hitch receiver with the square hole and a 7-pin/4-pin combo wiring harness. I'm not sure what the limits are for towing from the bumper with a hitch ball. Consult the owners' manual.

 

I found this in the manual - is this referring to what I a dealing with on my truck? When they say 'Step Bumper' are they referring to the recessed area in front of the rear License Plate?

Using a step bumper (if equipped)
The rear bumper is equipped with an integral hitch and only requires a
ball with a one inch (25.4 mm) shank diameter. The bumper has a 5,000
lb. (2,270 kg) trailer weight and 500 lb. (227 kg) tongue weight capacity.
If it is necessary to relocate the trailer hitch ball position, a
frame-mounted trailer hitch must be installed.

 

Yep, talking about the recessed area on your rear bumper.

 

I would suggest you drive your vehicle to a Ford dealer and ask their service department to explain to you what you have, what you need to safely tow, and what limits on weight you have with your setup. Too many people try to tow without proper education, training or experience with sometime tragic consequences.

Second recommendation, hook up your trailer, drive to a big parking lot, and practice backing it up.

 

For a 4x8 U-Haul, just take it to the U-Haul yard and have them slap a ball on the bumper and hook it up. If that results in a trailer with a ridiculous angle, then have a proper hitch installed. U-Haul sells and installs hitches too.

 

I also currently have an 06 scab larait..5.4 3.73 gearing and tow pkg. I have class 4 or 5 hitch and got a curt stinger w/ ball for 35 on amazon..i pulled a double axle 6x12 enclosed uhaul when i moved and it pulled with my **** in it plus in my bed just fine!

 

x2.

Uhaul can install them pretty quickly for fairly cheap.

Do it right this time around and you wont damage your bumper/wont need to do this next time you need to haul something.

D

 

And remember, the worst thing about a bumper hitch and a trailering rookie is jack knifing the trailer while backing up - leading to notching the bumper. That's almost impossible to do with a draw bar.

 

For a one time tow of a small trailer, a bumper ball should be okay, but if you anticipate doing any more towing in the future, do it right and get a real Class 3 hitch.

 

You can use the step bumper with the 4x8 trailer without much issue, but it will have a more extreme angle (a little too high). I'm sure it would be just fine to tow as-is, since you aren't likely to surpass the 500lbs tongue weight and 5Klbs max trailer weight limit on a 4x8 trailer. However, the Class IV towing hitches are worth it if you plan on towing anything larger than that, or more often. I've seen a large number of trucks (with bumper hitch *****) with the license plate dented in the middle, and I know what the most likely cause was, lol.

GLC, as usual, you beat me to the same response by a minute, lol.