I'll soon be the owner of a 17ft stryker bass boat from 78/79, do I need to get a receiver hitch or will just a ball on my bumber suffice?

I doubt you'll need an equalizer hitch in it's entirety (Pick-Up truck, right?) A receiver "hitch box" is probably a good idea but if the ball height on your bumper is compatible with your trailer, you may not need the hitch box at all. A lot of the hitch boxes simply mount to the underside of the bumper anyway. If you do decide on the hitch box, I recommend one that bolts to the frame. If you mount it yourself, be sure to use grade 5 or greater bolts.

What is the tongue weight of the trailer?

If it is 200#'s or less, I'd use the bumper with a solid ball.(again, providing that the ball height matches the trailer). Getting the trailer parallel to the tow vehicle is important.

Probably a good idea to check with the truck manufacturer to confirm tongue weight for the bumper.

Don't forget safety chains.

Good Luck!

When I was a teen we had a 14ft fiberglass boat bend the snot out of 2 bumpers on m dad's truck. They weren't overloaded. I will never use a bumper again.

Before I got my hitch I used the bumber ball to tow with. Going in a driveway that might be a little steep the back of the trailer would drag the ground. I would recommend a hitch just for the trailer being level, towing better, and it would get you a better turning radius when backing Just my 2 cents.

What vehicle and what's the capacity of the bumper and also max tow weight? Your owner's manual should list the bumper cap separate from the frame-mounted hitch capacity.

Do you know how much your boat/trailer weighs (max loaded out for towing, full tanks & all)?

If your estimated towing weight is, say, 70% or more of the vehicle bumper capacity, I recommend don't try it just get the hitch.

I tow on my explorer bumper no prob, but weight is well within the 3500 capacity.

Make your tongue weight between 5 and 10% of the total trailer weight. In my experience a tongue-light trailer will sway like the dickens; tongue-heavy trailer feels like it's bouncing the truck - just right feels like nothings back there.

go fo the few extra $$$ and get a hitch put on....U-haul.or others can do it, then you can get "STINGER" FOR THE RECIEVER with the right DROP for youe needs!
I'd also spend a few extra $$$ and get a stainless ball

I tow an 18' Ranger with 2 different trucks. One has ball on bumper and 1 has a hitch. There is almost no difference. I do like hooking up with the hitch better because if I go to far back I don't ding my bumper or license plate. I have also used the bolt to the bumper receivers and they work very well for lighter loads like bass boats. The only reason that I got the bumper receiver was to lower the tow height. As long as you have a decent bumper, about 500/5000 lbs, and it is the right height I would not worry unless you are towing something larger.

overall the reciever hitch is better because the hitch is mounted to the frame. a ball on the bumper would work but it has more pressure on the bumper. if you do get a reciver hitch i would highly recomend getting a locking pin. my dad has had 4 trailer balls stolen before he got a locking pin.

Go with the platform hitch. I have seen way to many trucks come in with beat up, crooked, and jack knifed bumpers.
You wont regret it.

I agree with everything said above. It is really worth the money no matter how heavy of a boat or trailer you are pulling

You will only have to get that trailer hung up once.Get a receiving [HITCH].

one other benefit of the receiver hitch is if you are hit it does not do as much damage as it normally would to the bumper.That in turn will save you alot of cash in the long run also.

I would get the hitch. They just do not make bumpers like they used to.

A 5 in. drop down hitch will raise your prop 5in at the other end. It cost me $ 135 prop repair because the prop didn't clear something at the end of the ramp. It will also prevent skag drags on deep ruts. Keeping the trailer level will make it pull better with better weight distribution.