Want to Tow a Jeep

I've never seen were jeeps bumpers were part of the frame. They're parts, but not integrated into the frame.

Overkill never hurts. We've had the same Blue ox tow bar for 5 years now and have used on 3 different vehicles, it's rated for 10,000 lbs ( overkill for any of the 3 jeeps). Safety first and peace of mind second. It articulates better than most ( pivots on a ball) and has never left me struggling to get the pins out. Aventa is the model from blue ox. Use their base plates too.

Brake Buddy for the supplemental brakes ( can transfer to any vehicle), used that for five years too without issues.

3 dog nights wrote:
but again, that's a after market bumper, for 07-16
not an 03' OEM setup.

3 dog nights,
You're getting a bunch of info here that may or may not do you any good. First off, to the statement ".....Wrangler bumpers are part of the frame...." WRONG! The front bumper is not part of the frame, it's a bumper, REMOVABLE, like any other front bumper.

Second, an '03 is just like any "TJ" model from '97 to '06. They all came with the same front bumper, no matter what model, Rubicon, Sahara, Sport, X etc. The Sahara's were a bit more glitzy but none the less, the same bumper.

We've owned and towed 9 Jeeps to date. (3)CJs, (2)YJs, (3)TJs,{two were Rubicons) and now our present one, a '15 JKUR. I equipped all of them for towing.

No Jeeps come with "D-rings". Never have. D-rings are an aftermarket component that attaches to a welded (or bolted) tab, that's on the front of AFTERMARKET front bumpers for Jeeps and other vehicles that want to be jeeps. Now, "tow hooks", that's a different story. Many Wranglers have come with those, usually on top of the front frame horns, just above the top of the bumper. They work for recovery but, not for towing.

There's different ways of looking at towing your Jeep. If, IF, you plan on doing any off roading, not ROCK CRAWLING since that term always pops up, but, mild to moderate off roading, you SHOULD keep the front angle-of-approach as clear and high as possible. That means, purchasing and installing an aftermarket bumper that, for the most part, is designed to ride a bit higher than stock. And, not only that but, the stock front bumper is basically TIN! It's got about as much strength as a beer can, WITH THE BEER STILL IN IT!

About 99% of the aftermarket bumpers are seriously stronger than the factory Jeep Wrangler bumpers. Yes, there's cheaper ones and super expensive ones. The cost and design, is a choice for all us Jeepers. And, there's quite a few brands out there to choose from. Don't get stuck on any one particular brand. Look around. I've made bumpers and I've purchased them. But, I've ALWAYS TOWED USING THEM!

Using what's known as the "Recovery tabs" on those bumpers is what many on here use for attaching to tow bars. There's adapter brackets that fit anyone's tow bar, to those recovery tabs. They're all over the net, Amazon, and more. With the use of an aftermarket bumper and, those recovery tabs to tow your Jeep, you don't have to install those hoaky base plates and, you'll keep the front of your Jeep considerably better looking and, as stated, those bumpers are also seriously stronger.

It's a choice. Good luck.
Scott

magicbus wrote:

3 dog nights wrote:
except the 03' sport does not have an "Original D Ring"

So maybe this one they claim fits their 1976-2018, not sure if you have matching holes or could drill them.



Blue Ox/Demco Tow bar bracket

My old towbar had similar brackets, bolted to the stock (OEM) bumper on a couple of my Jeeps. My last Jeep ('06 wrangler Rubicon Unlimited) was the only one that had custom bumpers. The same brackets were installed on the custom bumper.

Tom/Barb wrote:

mowermech wrote:

jarata1 wrote:
Make sure you have a Suplimental brake system in jeep

Why, other than the fact that it couldn't hurt and it is a good idea?

In Wa. it is required on anything towed that's over 3000 pounds.

RCW 46.04.620
RCW 46.37.351

It appears that a towed motor vehicle is not a "trailer"

FunTwoDrv wrote:
Are you sure the OEM bumper has the strength, and is mounted securely enough, to directly mount a tow bar?

Gary

Unless 2003 was an off-year, Wrangler bumpers are part of the frame and therefore strong enough. You can bolt a class 3 hitch to the rear bumper and only hope the bolts you use are strong enough.

Dave

Are you sure the OEM bumper has the strength, and is mounted securely enough, to directly mount a tow bar?

Gary

but again, that's a after market bumper, for 07-16
not an 03' OEM setup.

The best setup I've seen is one of These
And the tow bar goes where the D rings are shown in this picture.

mowermech wrote:

jarata1 wrote:
Make sure you have a Suplimental brake system in jeep

Why, other than the fact that it couldn't hurt and it is a good idea?

In Wa. it is required on anything towed that's over 3000 pounds.

Ahhh, but there's always a rub....it bolts to "their" bumper, not OEM