We tow a lifted Jeep Wrangler behind our truck (with truck camper on top). The tow bar is from Smittybilt (here is the model). Because the Jeep sits higher than the truck, we have the extra piece on the hitch to raise the ball.This setup has been successfully towing the Jeep every weekend on our camping trips for about 2 years, with even some driving on decent dirt roads to reach boondocking campsites.Today, on the 2 hour drive back from western Arizona to Phoenix, we pulled into a supermarket parking lot and I think we turned too tight and the Jeep's tire hit the curb. I think this caused the Jeep to jump up and while we were breaking the truck, it bent the tow bar. The tow bar disconnected from the truck's hitch and the Jeep slammed into the back of the truck (luckily at fairly low speed).As we are a little shaken up from the experience, do you have any thoughts?E.g. is this a freak accident that could have happened with any style tow bar or was it our fault for going with the cheapest (Smittybilt) tow bar?We also need to buy a replacement tow bar: any recommendation for sticking with the inexpensive Smittybilt or are we better to upgrade to a different system tow bar, e.g. some of the more expensive Tow Master ones?Looking forward to the comments. Thanks!

First and foremost make sure none of your towing equipment is made in china.

I used to have a receiver mounted tow bar, and while it could not have disconnected like yours did, it very likely would have suffered some type of damage in a situation similar to yours.

I used a very similar (if not identical) towbar made, I think, by Reese, to tow several different Jeeps for many years, all around the West. Those Jeeps were towed by a Class C motorhome, a Dodge one ton dually with 11.5 foot camper on it, and a Class A motorhome. The last trip it made was from Montana to Nevada, towing a modified Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited (suspension lift, body lift, engine lift, tummy tuck, custom bumpers, oversized tires, winch, 30 gallon fuel tank, custom roll bars, etc.).I used many different ball mounts with it, including an adjustable one and an extension (41" long) under the 11.5 foot camper.I never had any problems, certainly never had anything like what you are describing.IMO, your incident was a one-of-a-kind occurrence, possible exacerbated by curbing the toad.

are you sure all of those parts are rated sufficiently to tow that heavy a load?bumpy

you had a Wreck.. and received damage. make sure the tow vehicle receiver is NOT damaged, and the frame .every part must have a limit of 5,000 pounds or MORE...you are so very lucky. with such limited damage.

Near accident caused by failing tow bar | Good Sam Community

20 Replies

Bumpyroad
Explorer
Nov 28, 2016
sch911 wrote:
I would get this:

now that is a "brute".
bumpy
sch911
Explorer
Nov 28, 2016
I would get this:

And one of these:
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Nov 28, 2016
dodge guy wrote:
No offense, but that looks very cheaply made! I would invest in a proper tow bar rated for more than what you are towing. And make sure the tow bar is perfectly parallel to the ball.

I see the mfr. states to drive a maximum of 55 mph with that bar. never seen another one with such a limitation. looks cheap however.
bumpy
3oaks
Explorer
Nov 28, 2016
Since you have used that same tow bar for the previous two years without incident, I believe a couple of things were in play here.

Your miscalculation resulting in too tight of turn and jumping the curb, plus your towing setup may have been adequate in normal towing situations, but obviously not strong enough to withstand any extra forces such as what occurred.

Not criticizing, just purely my guess.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Nov 28, 2016
No offense, but that looks very cheaply made! I would invest in a proper tow bar rated for more than what you are towing. And make sure the tow bar is perfectly parallel to the ball.
Chuck_thehammer
Explorer
Nov 28, 2016
you had a Wreck.. and received damage.

make sure the tow vehicle receiver is NOT damaged, and the frame .

every part must have a limit of 5,000 pounds or MORE...

you are so very lucky. with such limited damage.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Nov 28, 2016
are you sure all of those parts are rated sufficiently to tow that heavy a load?
bumpy
mowermech
Explorer
Nov 28, 2016
I used a very similar (if not identical) towbar made, I think, by Reese, to tow several different Jeeps for many years, all around the West. Those Jeeps were towed by a Class C motorhome, a Dodge one ton dually with 11.5 foot camper on it, and a Class A motorhome. The last trip it made was from Montana to Nevada, towing a modified Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited (suspension lift, body lift, engine lift, tummy tuck, custom bumpers, oversized tires, winch, 30 gallon fuel tank, custom roll bars, etc.).
I used many different ball mounts with it, including an adjustable one and an extension (41" long) under the 11.5 foot camper.
I never had any problems, certainly never had anything like what you are describing.
IMO, your incident was a one-of-a-kind occurrence, possible exacerbated by curbing the toad.
rjstractor
Nomad
Nov 28, 2016
I used to have a receiver mounted tow bar, and while it could not have disconnected like yours did, it very likely would have suffered some type of damage in a situation similar to yours.
FishOnOne
Nomad
Nov 28, 2016
First and foremost make sure none of your towing equipment is made in china.

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Near accident caused by failing tow bar

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