is the bumper hitch on a 1997 3500 dually stong enough to tow a 5000lbs boat/trailer?

WHY EVEN RISK IT--JUST PUT A REAL HITCH ON IT...

I seriously doubt it. I have a 2500 and the bumper is no where near strong enough for my boat and trailer 7000lbs. Heck I dont even think my insert for my ball is rated for my trailers toung weight.

Probably yes, but not good. I have a 1/2 ton and have towed a large tandem with tractor on it (somewhere around 5-6k) and the bumber didn't like it too much. I have only done this a couple of times because I didn't have my hitch insert.

If you do decide to try it (not recommended) make sure you aren't real tongue heavy.

The bumper on both my '00 and '01 say max trailer load 5000# with max tonge weight 500#, although I would not do it. I have a reciever hitch for a '01 3500 if anyone wants it.
Robert

Buy the hitch!

I agree with several of the comments above, you could probably get away with it, but I wouldn't do it. If it is rated for 5000lbs, you know there is a safety factor built in because people always do things they shouldn't.

Buy the hitch and eliminate the worries and the stress.

Puder, go with a real hitch, not much $ but good insurance.
I tow a 10,000# with my 2000 3500 duelly

My only question is why would anyone build a 3500 dually without a receiver hitch?? Does that mean it was ordered without a factory trailering package?? That would be like putting a 6 cylinder in a corvette...

i passed on eth dually. I was bidding on ebay and it went for more than i really wanted to spend. I chickend otu at the last minute. Hell it was only $500 more than i wanted to spend but then again it woudl have cost me $800 to ship it too plus NY sales tax.

afterall I am only towing a 5000lbs boat a dually is kind of overkill.