Flat-tow Set-up

[lightsout]

We don't charge a 25% restocking fee.

You tried to charge me a restocking however after our discussion you decided to make an exception, which I appreciated. Look You make a great bumper a little pricey but none the less a quality Bumper. I have seen it up close, My comments only refer to the tow mounts and contradicted statements by Jeep as well as the Tow bar manufactures I discussed this with.

By the way the Title of this thread is "Flat Tow Set-up" which 100% of my dialogue has referred to, maybe my observations are not permitted unless it is approved and meets the OP narrative? I was not aware that opposing opinions are not permitted here... Sorry

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[Ron_H]

...
By the way the Title of this thread is "Flat Tow Set-up" which 100% of my dialogue has referred to, maybe my observations are not permitted unless it is approved and meets the OP narrative? I was not aware that opposing opinions are not permitted here... Sorry

Opposing opinions are welcome, as was your original post to this thread. What is not welcome and poor forum etiquette is your incessant reposting of the same Roch Hard bumper bashing each time someone else posts something. Get over it.

 

[ROCK HARD 4X4]

My comments only refer to the tow mounts and contradicted statements by Jeep as well as the Tow bar manufactures I discussed this with.

We use 2 bolts vs 4 so customers can raise or lower their mount to help with a lifted ride height. If lifted, use the lower holes. If stock height, use the upper. Use whichever height best keeps your tow bar as close to level as possible. That's the point. This way more Jeepers can tow. Now you may be skeptical, and frankly nothing we can say will probably change your mind, but you must in fairness admit you can't point to an instance our system has failed someone.

Contradictory statements made by companies that produce a competing product? Weird. Why ever would they tell you to not buy ours and only theirs? Jeep is right to comment, they must - for their own liability - limit the capabilities of their product. Keep in mind, Jeep warns you to also: not increase tire size or face drivetrain warranty implications and roll center change risk. Jeep is in the business of limited liability.

 

[CoolTech]

My own $.02. As an engineer, I would not have any reservations at all to use the Rock Hard bumpers and their "2-bolt" tow point attachments. It is not accurate to say that all of the stress is on the lower tabs of the frame horn end-plate plates. That "load" is distributed as well to the top bolts via the sandwiching of the bumper. The strength of the two fasteners does come into play, but I trust that Rock Hard is using high quality bolts. In fact, from a strength perspective, I would be inclined to believe there are advantages of the Rock Hard design over the "dedicated" base plate approach. While the base plate bolts to the frame, it does have quite a long lever arm putting a shear force on the fasteners. These forces are virtually non-existent in the Rock Hard design.

The great thing about our beloved Jeeps is that we have many choices! Many factors to weigh in our decision process - cost, function, safety, aesthetics, tow bar angle, etc. Choose the one that works best for you. If the tow bar angle could be reasonable, I think I'd prefer to use the Rock Hard approach as from all the pics in this thread, I'd say it is at least as strong, if not more strong that the dedicated base plate. To each his own. Life is short. Be happy!

 

[lightsout]

We use 2 bolts vs 4 so customers can raise or lower their mount to help with a lifted ride height. If lifted, use the lower holes. If stock height, use the upper. Use whichever height best keeps your tow bar as close to level as possible. That's the point. This way more Jeepers can tow. Now you may be skeptical, and frankly nothing we can say will probably change your mind, but you must in fairness admit you can't point to an instance our system has failed someone.

Contradictory statements made by companies that produce a competing product? Weird. Why ever would they tell you to not buy ours and only theirs? Jeep is right to comment, they must - for their own liability - limit the capabilities of their product. Keep in mind, Jeep warns you to also: not increase tire size or face drivetrain warranty implications and roll center change risk. Jeep is in the business of limited liability.

Look it is up to the readers to make their own decisions and I encourage them to do their own due diligence as I did, flat towing is SERIOUS business and for me one of the things I am not willing to compromise and I value Jeeps opinion as well as the Two bar companies as they are the TOAD specialist. I am only relaying what I found regarding flat towing, again this was not aimed at just Rock Hard Bumpers but all bumpers that have tow connections, again it is not the bumper that is the issue it is the integrity of the connection point. IN this day of hyper liability if I set up my Jeep Toad against the recommendations of the tow bar manufacture and Jeep and god forbid I have a accident involving my TOAD I could have possible catastrophic insurance and compliance issues (maybe it it the engineer in me). By the way Jeeps position on tire size, drive train and Roll over are valid concerns, again folks are welcome to deviate at their own risk just like TOADing, that does not mean that they should not gather knowledge to be well informed. A simple search on youtube will demonstrate some of the real consequences of the risk of flat towing.

Again let me say I think you make a great bumper we simply differ on the integrity of the tow connection.

 

[RubiJR]

I'm curious with Rock Hard's question. Does anyone have or know of any failures with Flat Towing with their bumpers? Next will be which is better for braking electronic vs. cable. Thanks

 

[Frostbit]

I'm curious with Rock Hard's question. Does anyone have or know of any failures with Flat Towing with their bumpers? Next will be which is better for braking electronic vs. cable. Thanks

This is a pivotal question. We have folks saying they towed with Rockhard and LOD without issue. We have some folks concerned because Jeep and manufacturers that make baseplate say it is not safe.

If no one can come on here and give a personal example of failure with the direct bumper tow than that is good enough for me.

 

[Ron_H]

I believe that not all aftermarket bumpers provide a safe towing solution. I chose the RockHard ALuminum bumper firstly for its design, with the tow points bolted directly to the frame ends, and secondly for its lightweight, partially compensating for the additional winch weight.

I have a great deal of flat tow experience and I have built both award winning show cars and season point winning off-road racers. I chose carefully with an eye on safety and easy of hook-up in mind. To date I have heard only one person criticizing the RockHard tow solution and his untested hypothesize does not have merit based upon my observations and experience.

 

[MKJL]

I’ve also towed with a Rockhard bumper for quite a while and never an issue. We just bought a new JLUS and the first thing I’ve ordered is another Rockhard bumper.

 

[zb39]

I also chose Rock hard for flat towing. Your not just connecting to the end of the frame. See the pics of the brackets on each side of the frame going back on the frame and bolting thru. 2 brackets per frame, 4 total. I have flat towed many, many miles. I have actually worn out my first sterling tow bar and am on my second one. I love this set up.

 

[lclewis49]

I also chose Rock hard for flat towing. Your not just connecting to the end of the frame. See the pics of the brackets on each side of the frame going back on the frame and bolting thru. 2 brackets per frame, 4 total. I have flat towed many, many miles. I have actually worn out my first sterling tow bar and am on my second one. I love this set up.

I have a rock hard on order and was wondering where everyone is mounting their wiring harness plug on the front of bumper. Would like for it to be located where it will be somewhat protected, easy to get to when hooking up Jeep and inconspicuous if possible. Also the break away switch.

 

[Jondrew]

Is that steel or aluminum?

I also chose Rock hard for flat towing. Your not just connecting to the end of the frame. See the pics of the brackets on each side of the frame going back on the frame and bolting thru. 2 brackets per frame, 4 total. I have flat towed many, many miles. I have actually worn out my first sterling tow bar and am on my second one. I love this set up.

Are

I also chose Rock hard for flat towing. Your not just connecting to the end of the frame. See the pics of the brackets on each side of the frame going back on the frame and bolting thru. 2 brackets per frame, 4 total. I have flat towed many, many miles. I have actually worn out my first sterling tow bar and am on my second one. I love this set up.

 

[Budagreg]

3,000 miles to the Rockies and back. My Rock Hard steel bumper worked great!
And there a great company to work with. (no compensation - just my honest opinion)
Also Cool Tech harness/charger is a must for the JL!

 

[zb39]

aluminum, only 37 lbs plus the winch. It dropped my front 1/4 inch is all. I measured before and after.
I have not mounted my light bracket yet because I'm not sure what I'm doing yet. I don't like cutting into the factory harness at all.
Anyone take apart the LED tail lights yet. I wonder if I could add stand alone bulbs.

Is that steel or aluminum?



Are

 

[Hgrace]

This is a pivotal question. We have folks saying they towed with Rockhard and LOD without issue. We have some folks concerned because Jeep and manufacturers that make baseplate say it is not safe.

If no one can come on here and give a personal example of failure with the direct bumper tow than that is good enough for me.

The only flat tow failure in seen was at my RV dealer where a SUV had a Blue Ox baseplate fail at a weld in 5 months. Toad still held on and owner separated safely. Blue Ox did replace baseplate but the front apron of the SUV was destroyed.

I love my Rockhard 4x4 aluminum Patriot full size bumper.

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