Want to Tow a Jeep

[3_dog_nights]

OK I know it's a can of worms, but looking on line I see tow bars from $200 to over $1000. Which one will do the job? 03 Wrangler, under 5klb's, Which hitch, from who?

[DRTDEVL]

As everything, it depends on your skill level, your financial level, your patience, and your ability to think outside the box. Sure, you could always pay over $1k and get a total bolt-on kit, then spend another $300 to have it installed, but why? A Jeep is simple.

I towed an old Montero for a while... and almost nobody made anything for it. I made a bumper from 2x4 or 2x6 angle iron (I don't remember which now, welded permanent tie-down shackles rated at 30k to the front of it opposite the frame horns, and got a "hook up" deal from a guy I served with in Iraq for an IBISTEK 17K capacity aluminum collapsible HMMWV towbar. The thing is HUGE, but relatively lightweight.

I feared more of the grade 8 hardware attaching the bumper to the frame of failing than anything else in the setup. I still have a few pics of when I was mocking it up during construction and testing. Yes, the chains were not attached right for the pic, this was just for show (I needed a couple more opening links to attach to the RV).

OK, Never mind. Let me know if you want a pic, I don't have it hosted anywhere it can be hot linked, and I can't upload it as an attachment. Oops. Live and learn.

[magicbus]

I would think something like these would work.



or look here: Front bumper parts.

Dave

[3_dog_nights]

I found a deal on a Blue Ox Ambassador Tow Bar. Looking for the mounting plates to put on the Jeep. I was thinking they would bolt on to the bumper where the tow hooks are currently mounted. Instead I'm finding a rack that bolts to the frame under the bumper. Is this correct? seems over designed. Tow hooks are factory mounted to take the weight of the vehicle.

[mowermech]

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?

[jarata1]

Make sure you have a Suplimental brake system in jeep

[mike_brez]

My $50.00 base plate

[egh33]

I have been towing a Jeep for almost 16 years. I went to a metal shop bought some good heavy metal and made my own, ordered the base plate on line. Works better than the high dollar job my brother-in-law has on his. He got in to a turn around one time and we had to pry his tow bar loose with a wrecking bar. So I think the one I made works better.

[mowermech]

I towed several different Jeeps with a simple, inexpensive ($145), fixed arm adjustable width Reese 5000 lb. capacity towbar. It did exactly the same job as the bars that cost over a thousand dollars!
The last time I checked, Walmart had those towbars for $165. Harbor Freight has similar bars for under $100.
There will be scare stories about how terribly inconvenient such fixed-arm towbars are. For the doomsayers and naysayers that spread such stories, they are undoubtedly true. For me, I never found any truth to such stories.
NSA has the Ready Brake that works just fine with the fixed-arm towbar (or any towbar, for that matter).

[magicbus]

Depending on your front bumper you may not need a baseplate. My previous Jeep was pre-drilled for tow eyes. You can get new bolt-on replacement front bumpers that are ready to go.

Dave

[Heisenberg]

I had a Demco plate and Demco Commander towbar. Light easy hookup with my '14 Wrangler. $315 and $533

[Tom_Barb]

High priced super strong tow bars are not required for a jeep.

kinda like shooting a mouse with a shot gun. They'll do the job OK, but why?

We use a Falcon II tow bar that we bought off Craig's list.
There are lots of equipment variations for the jeep, really depends on what bumper you have on the jeep.
Ridged tow bars are a pain to hook up by 1 person.
Adjustable ones come loose.

Look for something like This

[wallynm]

You can go cheap with a fold up tow bar attached to the Jeep or

you can go with a base plate on the Jeep and a tow bar that attaches to the base plate when under way. When you reach your destination the tow bar folds out of the way behind the Motor Home.

In any case I suggest a FROG baking sysem.

3 dog nights wrote:
OK I know it's a can of worms, but looking on line I see tow bars from $200 to over $1000. Which one will do the job? 03 Wrangler, under 5klb's, Which hitch, from who?

[rv2go]

Blue Ox base plate and the Ready Brute tow bar. It has the surge brake.

[Bill_Satellite]

3 dog nights wrote:
OK I know it's a can of worms, but looking on line I see tow bars from $200 to over $1000. Which one will do the job? 03 Wrangler, under 5klb's, Which hitch, from who?

Road Master or Blue Ox. They should be the same quality and about the same price. Each has adapters to connect to the the others tow bar.