Near accident caused by failing tow bar

[jornvango]

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!

[jornvango]

Update: the Geny hitch has arrived and will be used going forward. But, instead of also upgrading our tow bar, we have received a new (free) Smittybilt tow bar from their warranty department.

[mowermech]

jornvango wrote:
If I choose to stick with that style of tow bar (like the Smittybilt) and that can ideally use the universal tow bar hookups that I installed on the Jeep's bumper, are there any recommendations for better built ones? Reese?

A similar towbar by Reese is available at Walmart. $165 the last time I looked at one.
Curt also makes one.
Roadmaster Tracker is similar.
Blue Ox makes one.
A google search for "fixed arm adjustable width tow bar" got several hits.

[jornvango]

If I choose to stick with that style of tow bar (like the Smittybilt) and that can ideally use the universal tow bar hookups that I installed on the Jeep's bumper, are there any recommendations for better built ones? Reese?

[trail-explorer]

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

DItto.

Nearly Everything Smittybuilt is made in China nowadays. Jeep guys commonly refer to their products under a different name by replacing the M with a H due to the low-end nature of many of their recent products.

[jornvango]

I contacted the Smittybilt warranty department. They are reviewing the case.

[jornvango]

One question that comes to mind: when the Jeep is hooked up to the truck via the tow bar, the tow bar is not 'perfectly' level. It seems to point up a little and when my wife drives slowly with me walking next to it, I notice that when the truck brakes, the Jeep seems to push up a little on the tow bar.

The solution is to move the hitch ball down to the next available position but then the tow bar points down a little ...

Is one preferred over the other? My gut feeling is that pointing slightly down is better than up ...

[jornvango]

Thanks. We also use the Brake buddy in the Wrangler while towing.

The price difference definitely is amazingly large! More expensive ones like Blue Ox seem to have functionality that I don't need: e.g. I don't care much about spending a few extra minutes to hook it up and when we're not towing, the bar sits in the truck so don't leave it sitting on the back of the truck.
That being said, I do like not needing a hitch ball.
And, if possible, I want to keep using the hookup points on my Wrangler front bumper. If not needed for a very good reason, I prefer to not install extra hookup points or a baseplate. (at extra expense)
Since the Jeep is lifted and has bigger (heavier) tires, I expect to be well over 4,000 lbs so would prefer a tow bar > 5,000 lbs.

So if my above hopes and assumptions are feasible, I would like to stick with a tow bar that can use the existing hookup points on the Jeep.
If the Smittybilt is out of the equasion, do any > 5,000 lbs tow bars exist that can use the same hookup points on the Jeep?

[jmckelvy]

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 was thinking the same thing so I looked at the link in the OPs first post. Seems wimpy for the rating.

I use a Demco Excali-Bar tow bar and baseplate for my Cherokee. I also use the Brake Buddy braking device. Picked up both off eBay for reasonable price several years ago.

[coolbreeze01]

The GEN and Blue Ox look like the hot ticket to me.

[Bedlam]

My VW dune buggy tow bar had a similar failure when towed by its previous owner with a home made model. I replaced it with a Harbor Freight model, but would not suggest it for vehicles over 3000 lbs even though the tagged rating is higher. I would look for a 7500 lb rated bar for your Jeep regardless of the manufacturer since you occasionally tow off pavement.

[Bumpyroad]

sch911 wrote:
I would get this:

now that is a "brute".
bumpy

[sch911]

I would get this:



And one of these:

[Bumpyroad]

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]

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.