lightsout
Well-Known Member
I don't, nor have I suggested, I 'have all the answers". But I have asked on this and practically every other thread, as well as a standard google search for any examples of the Rockford Bumper failing as a flat tow option. Now I did give links to documented Blueox failures.
Lightout, do you have any documented examples of a Rockhard or LOD bumper failure during flat tow use?
The Rockhard representative that posts on this forum has stated there have been no documented failures. He certainly could be lying. I wouldn't know.
Dude get it through your head it is not the bumpers that are the issue. it is not the concern of Mopar whether the aftermarket bumper fails, that is not their liability. The issue is how the bumper connects to the frame and that Mopars says the frame is not engineered to flat tow any vehicle via the bumper attachment point. Rock Hard, Smitty, and LOD all make great bumpers, that is not the issue what-so-ever they only issue I see that they have is recommending to tow via the Wrangler bumper frame connection and going against Mopar...
The Lawsuits will be with the point of failure which would likely not be the bumper but the Wrangler OEM frame plate where the bumper attaches.
Again I encourage for anyone to do what I did and contact Mopar before you make any decision, they will likely tell you as they did me that you should not use the Frame end for towing and it is not designed for that. They were OK with a frame attached tow plate and that is their recommend connection, I assume they feel the frame itself will not be the cause of any potential failure (which I agree). Had they told me a Bumper connection was OK I would not be having this discussion and I would be enjoying the LOD bumper I ordered and then had to cancel after talking to Mopar. I would also encourage the aftermarket bumper companies to provide a statement from Mopar that it is acceptable to tow from the frame end-plates.
In Sept when I tried to set up for Bumper towing I also called several bumper manufactures and all but LOD and RH mirrored the Mopar statement I got from Mopar, which is why there are so limited bumper tow options.
I prefer the aesthetics of bumper towing but I am simply not willing to risk my assets and everything I have worked for my entire life to be at risk via negligence and going against the vehicle OEM manufactures statements and positions. This is my decision others may be willing to take that risk while likely small, that is certainly their choice, I am only sharing what I have learned I encourage others to do the same and not make decision based people on a forum.
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