HingtgenS@aol.com wrote:

The bumper of the SUV is rated to 3500 (if I remember correctly). The Explorer itself is rated to 5600.

Good evening Steve,

Regards your hitch...When I first purchased my second hand Suburban, it had what some refer to as a "bumper" hitch. The weight rating, stamped on the hitch, was identical to a class III (without weight equalizing equipment). Very strong hitch and as yours was, mine was bolted in a similar fashion to a receiver type, class III, hitch. Primary difference is you cannot adapt a "bumper" hitch to accomodate a weight distribution system. The sockets for the vehicle end of the bars are located on the head of the receiver type hitch assembly. I am not a technical writer so I may not be saying this clearly. At any rate I towed my 27' Airstream six miles from campgrond A to campground B with no problem. I didn't go over 50 mph and it was two lane central Florida roads...

Best regards,

David Crook