Sudden stop, bent hitch.

[Backwater]

I decided to see how the new Bronco toed my 4 seat RZR on a lightweight 18' flat utility trailer last weekend.

The Bronco had plenty of power, and braking. The trailer did push the rear around a little on the highway, but it was tolerable.

While heading home a car cut me off in traffic, and I had to slam on the brakes a bit. Not a full on emergency skid, but definitely firm. I heard a crunching noise, but was only a block from home, so I continued on home. When I arrived, and inspected what the noise was, I discovered the receiver hitch had bent down around 3/4".

Has anyone had this happen? I can definitely see how it could happen. The hitch is fairly thin steel, and not gusseted anywhere. I plan on trying to bend it back, and reinforce, or replace with a Curt, and reinforce before mounting.

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[Tricky Dick]

There was the guy that backed into a rock and dented his hitch crossmember, but this is worse.

Can you post pictures?

 

[F OR D]

Stock tow package?

I see you have 5" lift and 37s. That could play into geo and tow too.

 

[robepa]

@Backwater What height of drop drop hitch are you running? Still shouldn't bend, just asking for context as I'm going to be pulling my off-road trailer well, off-road which is typically more load than an on road stop. I had been eying the the braces from the raptor to the tow hitch.

 

[Backwater]

@Backwater What height of drop drop hitch are you running? Still shouldn't bend, just asking for context as I'm going to be pulling my off-road trailer well, off-road which is typically more load than an on road stop. I had been eying the the braces from the raptor to the tow hitch.

6" rapid hitch

 

[Jdc]

Do you have any estimates on the weight of the trailer + rzr?

 

[Backwater]

Stock tow package?

I see you have 5" lift and 37s. That could play into geo and tow too.

Yes stock.

 

[Backwater]

Do you have any estimates on the weight of the trailer + rzr?

3000-3500 lbs total

 

[mike8675309]

...I discovered the receiver hitch had bent down around 3/4".

The receiver, or the hitch? Those are two separate things. The receiver is bolted to a frame rail on the Bronco. The hitch slips into the receiver.

 

[Backwater]

The receiver, or the hitch? Those are two separate things. The receiver is bolted to a frame rail on the Bronco. The hitch slips into the receiver.

LOL... Receiver.

 

[rtazz17]

Lift with weight thats maxed out I think you got what would happen to anyone with that setup.

 

[Oldhippie]

I’m thinking of mounting the hitch to the bumper as well as the crossmember...stock setup seem pretty light duty to me...

 

[Jdc]

Damn, this post and the other one make it hard to understand if that cross member is weak or if folks are just putting too much pressure on that cross member.

 

[Tilzbow]

Since you were close to max tow capacity the 6” drop hitch likely created enough leverage to bend the receiver.

 

[NC_Pinz]

Is it just the receiver tube that bent down or did the whole rear cross member twist?

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