Extra long towbar instead of supertruss mod?
I'm considering towing a Jeep Wrangler, probably 4dr, with my rig listed here (weight 4000-4500 lbs). Is there such a thing as an extended towbar for towing a vehicle that's not real heavy in lieu of ...
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Hey Joe&Julie81, You're asking about a "draw bar" not a "tow bar". At least as I understand it, the parts from tow vehicle to towed vehicle in order are: hitch (as in a 2" square receiver hitch), then the draw bar (various drops/rises and lengths), then the ball (or ball mount of an equalizer hitch), then it leaves the truck and becomes the pulled load: coupler (or ball coupler), then the trailer tongue (or a flat-towed vehicle's "tow bar").
I think you were originally asking about a bit longer draw bar, not a vehicle mounted tow bar as you'd stated in the subject line.
The welded chains loops and connections (with turnbuckles) are not a bad idea for the left/right side to side forces. If it's done by someone with some engineering common sense or greater. As I think you said you're aware, tongue weight isn't so much a concern, as it the side to side forces - in your case.
Whatever you end on, I generally like to over engineer, and then under use.
BTW, if you need a convenient "connect" to the bumper with your chains idea, you might look into the HappiJack bumper mount things generally used for rear camper tie downs. That might be a slick connector for the chains to the vehicle, but depends a lot on you bumper. Pulling outward on the bumper ends (rearward) is going to generate a different force on the bumper than the upward force the connectors are designed for on specific bumpers.
I think you were originally asking about a bit longer draw bar, not a vehicle mounted tow bar as you'd stated in the subject line.
The welded chains loops and connections (with turnbuckles) are not a bad idea for the left/right side to side forces. If it's done by someone with some engineering common sense or greater. As I think you said you're aware, tongue weight isn't so much a concern, as it the side to side forces - in your case.
Whatever you end on, I generally like to over engineer, and then under use.
BTW, if you need a convenient "connect" to the bumper with your chains idea, you might look into the HappiJack bumper mount things generally used for rear camper tie downs. That might be a slick connector for the chains to the vehicle, but depends a lot on you bumper. Pulling outward on the bumper ends (rearward) is going to generate a different force on the bumper than the upward force the connectors are designed for on specific bumpers.
