Rear Bumper weight limit

[sbi]

I know this question may sound stupid to some. I searched the manual and couldn't find any mention of this.

Can you actually step on the rear bumper? Is there a weight limit?

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[Tomatoboy]

It’s a good question.

I didn’t find an immediate answer. I’ve been stepping on the ball hitch area of mine (there’s no ball, obviously, as I have a class iv) without issue and I’m a big boy. I’d assume it’s similar to whatever the max tongue weight would be using a ball hitch, if that were possible, since I don’t see any structural difference, but it’d be nice to know for sure and to know if the whole bumper can be stepped on at that weight, or just the flat ball hitch “pit” where the license plate also resides.

 

[sbi]

It’s a good question.

I didn’t find an immediate answer. I’ve been stepping on the ball hitch area of mine (there’s no ball, obviously, as I have a class iv) without issue and I’m a big boy. I’d assume it’s similar to whatever the max tongue weight would be using a ball hitch, if that were possible, since I don’t see any structural difference, but it’d be nice to know for sure and to know if the whole bumper can be stepped on at that weight, or just the flat ball hitch “pit” where the license plate also resides.

I suspect stepping on the ball/hitch is fine as it is capable of carrying a min. of 500 lbs in non-distributed-weight hitch (luckily I am not even close to this weight even though I am big as well ), but I am really curious about the bumper itself. Like how do you get into the bed if the tailgate is closed.

 

[Tomatoboy]

I suspect stepping on the ball/hitch is fine as it is capable of carrying a min. of 500 lbs in non-distributed-weight hitch (luckily I am not even close to this weight even though I am big as well ), but I am really curious about the bumper itself. Like how do you get into the bed if the tailgate is closed.

I was under the impression the bumper itself, *absent* a class iv hitch on the truck, is still rated for 500lb tongue weight and 5000lb tow weight with a ball (if you didn't have a hitch, there’d be a hole there for it), although I haven’t seen anybody *use* a ball hitch in a bumper in a 2018+ F-150 yet, as most people configure them now with the class iv. So I am presuming I’m safe to step on the flat space on the bumper where a ball would go, as in theory it’s still a towing surface that can hold a 500lb tongue weight. I’ve therefore been using that flat space in the bumper itself to get in the bed. My feet are too big for the other parts of the bumper so I hadn’t put too much thought into using the other areas. Lol

 

[sbi]

I was under the impression the bumper itself, *absent* a class iv hitch on the truck, is still rated for 500lb tongue weight and 5000lb tow weight with a ball (if you didn't have a hitch, there’d be a hole there for it), although I haven’t seen anybody *use* a ball hitch in a bumper in a 2018+ F-150 yet, as most people configure them now with the class iv. So I am presuming I’m safe to step on the flat space on the bumper where a ball would go, as in theory it’s still a towing surface that can hold a 500lb tongue weight. I’ve therefore been using that flat space in the bumper itself to get in the bed. My feet are too big for the other parts of the bumper so I hadn’t put too much thought into using the other areas. Lol

Not following. What does the bumper actually have to do with the hitch receiver? I don't think the hitch receiver is connected to the bumper or vice versa.

 

[Tomatoboy]

Not following. What does the bumper actually have to do with the hitch receiver? I don't think the hitch receiver is connected to the bumper or vice versa.

Believe it or not, despite the ubiquity of class iv hitches on dealer lots, you can actually still buy an F-150 *without* a hitch. On such vehicles, that little step in your bumper would get a hole and in that hole you’d install a ball and you’d tow with that, and based on the towing guide (below, page 7), you can pull 5000lbs (500lbs tongue weight) with just that rear step bumper ball right in the bumper.

https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/conten...eneral/pdf/guides/21Towing_Ford_F150_Dec3.pdf

 

[sbi]

Believe it or not, despite the ubiquity of class iv hitches on dealer lots, you can actually still buy an F-150 *without* a hitch. On such vehicles, that little step in your bumper would get a hole and in that hole you’d install a ball and you’d tow with that, and based on the towing guide (below, page 7), you can pull 5000lbs (500lbs tongue weight) with just that rear step bumper ball right in the bumper.

https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/conten...eneral/pdf/guides/21Towing_Ford_F150_Dec3.pdf

Ha.....that's interesting. Didn't know that.
Now I am more curious to find out the answer to my question

 

[Bryan Simon]

I step on mine all the time.
Step not the dropped hitch area and then up to the bumpers.

easier to go over the gate when I get in the back.

I get a ladder and open the gate when I get in to wash the roof

bumper steps are solid and don’t give at at all.
Probably why the whole top surface has a step pad on it

 

[sbi]

So I am watching this guy replacing his bumper cover on YT and it definitely looks like the lower area above the ball/in front of the license plate is a solid spot that you can step on, but TBH the long parts of the bumper extending from the center outward don't seem to me like a good/solid place to step on.

 

[12Lariat21]

I don't think that is something that gets published anywhere, so you could certainly assume that you are allowed to step there, since it looks like a step, and there is no indication that it is not.

It would be safe to assume the bumper can withstand the same 300-350lbs that they rate the bumper pull out step, and the AMP aftermarket kickdown steps at.

The bumpers are still made of steel so if you measure the thickness of the steel used you can figure out how much weight it can take.

Flat steel plate 1/8" thick x 12" wide x 12" long will deflect 0.1 inches at 167lbs concentrated load (334lbs uniform load)
Flat steel plate 3/16" thick x 12" wide x 12" long will deflect 0.07 inches at 375lbs (750lbs uniform load).

The bumper isn't flat, The vertical section will give it all the strength to prevent bending and deflection, so I think you have nothing to worry about. And if you look underneath and mark where the mounting points are, that section would be even stronger yet.

 

[tony72cutlass's']

Once upon a time i used a bumper jack and cinder block to roll back the odometer on a lease

Bumpers could support a 4000# brute, those were simpler times

 

[Zengineer]

Not following. What does the bumper actually have to do with the hitch receiver? I don't think the hitch receiver is connected to the bumper or vice versa.

The hitch receiver is directly attached to and part of the actual bumper. Those chrome or body color caps are little more than decorative.

I suspect the question is about standing on the top of the caps and just based on how they feel when I am on them I don't thing anyone should worry about them supporting their weight.

 

[sbi]

The hitch receiver is directly attached to and part of the actual bumper. Those chrome or body color caps are little more than decorative.

I suspect the question is about standing on the top of the caps and just based on how they feel when I am on them I don't thing anyone should worry about them supporting their weight.

Right, so from your image above and the one from the YouTube that I posted above it is clear that the center part of the bumper right in front of the license plate is pretty sturdy and can hold weight (green part below).
But also looking at both pictures, I suspect that the raised sections (where the red lines are in the pic below) are not as strong and do not have a wide/deep support.

 

[Zengineer]

Right, so from your image above and the one from the YouTube that I posted above it is clear that the center part of the bumper right in front of the license plate is pretty sturdy and can hold weight (green part below).
But also looking at both pictures, I suspect that the raised sections (where the red lines are in the pic below) are not as strong and do not have a wide/deep support.

Yes, probable not as strong but still plenty so.

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