RV Towing Bumper Suggestions

[houstonstroker]

We use a Rock Hard Patriot Series Aluminum bumper. Rated for flat towing. Blue Ox for the tow bar. The safety cables attach to the D rings. We use an RVi braking system which sits on the floor board of the JLU.

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[Craigger]

Looking to set up my 2018 for towing behind my motorhome.

There are so many bumpers out there, wondering if anyone can narrow down a few specifically built to be used with a tow bar?

I've towed several thousand miles with the RockHard Aluminum Freedom series bumper (https://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-90242.htm). I'm really happy with it. I use a Roadmaster Nighthawk tow bar and Demco Stay-IN-Play supplemental braking system.

Very happy with the setup.

 

[rubigator]

I went with the RockHard4x4 aluminum patriot midwidth bumper… light weight and accepts the factory LED fogs. All set for a toad. Blue Ox Ascent Tow bar and Demco Stay n Play braking system. The tow clevises bolt directly into the frame ends saving even more weight.

I requested the bull bar be deleted so it would not block the front cam and also gave me real estate to mount the aux driving lights.

So easy to hook up and the electric brake is basically invisible outside and inside the vehicle.

Had the braking system professionally installed… so clean. They located the ’emergency’ brake just to the left of the driving light, and used one of the jack cutouts for the ’plug’.

Looks great. I have same bumper. Any issues with the plug in that location? Just seems kind of low. I need to move mine once I get a winch and that is a contender of the new location.

I used LOD frame tie in brackets to mount the Rock Hard bumper and I attach my safety cables there.

 

[AK500]

I have a Smittybilt (76724) SRC Gen 2 Front Bumper and the Smittybilt towbar. Bought a RV tow light wiring harness off Amazon. Its pulled the Jeep from Austin Tx to Big Bend 3 times

 

[Marine2146]

Aev recovery points are mounted directly to the frame.
Here’s my set up.

 

[Shibadog]

I’ve been running Rockhard Aluminum Patriot’s with the tow bar connections on top of the bumper for 2 1/2 years and 15k towed miles. Very satisfied with that set up.

 

[Alan_Hepburn]

On my Gladiator we have a Rugged Ridge Spartan bumper, with Blue Ox adapters, and NSA Ready Brute Elite tow bar; on my wife's JLU we use a Blue Ox base plate and the same Ready Brute ELite tow bar. We went with the base plate on her Jeep because she didn't want to swap out the bumper.

The Spartan bumper is not officially rated for towing, but since the attachment points are bolted through the bumper to the frame the bumper is not subject to the towing forces; it's merely a sandwich layer between the attachment and the frame. we've been using it for 3 years now with no issues.

 

[OrneryBear]

My plan was to run the Maximus 3 tow hooks and towing tie rod.

https://maximus-3.com/jl-bumper-accessories-/220-jl-tow-loops.html#/

Anyone run this?

 

[Craigger]

I responded earlier, but here's a photo of my setup. The aluminum bumper is very light. The swaybar disconnect integrated skid (steel) is actually heavier. The tow bar mounts go directly into the frame rails and are very sturdy. Since the bumper is aluminum, I was able to drill directly into it to put the umbilical plug flush mounted to the front.

 

[RubiBlueJLU]

2021 JLURD. No lift. Factory 285/70R17's. Yes, the diesel.

Full time RV'er. 42' Class A Diesel Pusher. Coast to coast traveler.

I run the RockJock towing base plate on an aftermarket "factory" steel bumper. They make one for the steel and the plastic bumpers. Looks factory, and the base plate barely shows.

I use an older style RV Blue Ox tow bar with a built in "Ready Brake" surge style braking system that it purely mechanical. One of the few options out there that work with the diesel engine. Also, I was able to transfer it over from my old 2001 TJ. Tow bar slides into the RV receiver hitch.

Another thing, If you plan to tow a lot, is a cover. Jeeps the rock chips and "sandblasted" windshield to a minimum. I you don't care, never mind.

 

[JAC34]

Any recommendations on the wiring harness? I already ran a connection from my battery to the back of my jeep for towing small trailers, etc.

It seems there are lots of options out there, some more labor-intensive than others.

 

[RubiBlueJLU]

I went with the Curt wiring kit. Runs front to rear, no splicing. Plug and play at the tail lights.
There are lots out there. CoolTech, Mopar, and others. Some splice in, others don’t.
Only thing to watch out for is if you have the factory LED lighting package. It likes to wake up the Jeep and drain the battery. There are fixes and work arounds for that. (MANY threads)

 

[Rubicon_Thor]

On my Gladiator we have a Rugged Ridge Spartan bumper, with Blue Ox adapters, and NSA Ready Brute Elite tow bar; on my wife's JLU we use a Blue Ox base plate and the same Ready Brute ELite tow bar. We went with the base plate on her Jeep because she didn't want to swap out the bumper.

The Spartan bumper is not officially rated for towing, but since the attachment points are bolted through the bumper to the frame the bumper is not subject to the towing forces; it's merely a sandwich layer between the attachment and the frame. we've been using it for 3 years now with no issues.

Alan, do you have a photo of your setup? I was looking at the Spartan Bumper to use for towing as well. Also what Blue Ox adapters did you go with? I was wondering if you just take the shackles off and hook up to the d shackle mounts? The Rock Hard bumper is set up for this already but costs about 3 times as much.

 

[Alan_Hepburn]

Alan, do you have a photo of your setup? I was looking at the Spartan Bumper to use for towing as well. Also what Blue Ox adapters did you go with? I was wondering if you just take the shackles off and hook up to the d shackle mounts? The Rock Hard bumper is set up for this already but costs about 3 times as much.

Here's a photo of my setup. The Blue Ox adapters I got at Rock Hard - You install them in place of the mounts that come with the bumper. With them mounted in the top holes like the photo shows the tow bar is perfectly level when hooked up to our 2007 Bounder motorhome. The eye bolts in the lower hole are for connecting the safety cables - they are rated for 5,000 lbs and I got them from Grainger.

 

[Rubicon_Thor]

Here's a photo of my setup. The Blue Ox adapters I got at Rock Hard - You install them in place of the mounts that come with the bumper. With them mounted in the top holes like the photo shows the tow bar is perfectly level when hooked up to our 2007 Bounder motorhome. The eye bolts in the lower hole are for connecting the safety cables - they are rated for 5,000 lbs and I got them from Grainger.

Thanks Alan, that helps a lot. It looks like the bumper holds up well. I think for 1/3 the price and using the exact Blue Ox adapters used on the Rock Hard bumper you can't go wrong.

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