Sponsored
Gladiator front bumper with hooks to flat tow behing a motorhome
stang37
Active Member
- First Name
- William
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2019
- Threads
- 0
- Messages
- 41
- Reaction score
- 40
- Location
- Mississippi
- Vehicle(s)
- 2020 Gladiator Landover, 2004 Mustang Cobra, 2013 SHO Taurus. 2016 Newmar Ventana motorhome
- Occupation
- Retired
I purchase a LOD bumper rated for flat towing. I didn't like the spread of the hookup point so I made my own. The spread conforms to Blue Ox measurement, but limits your turning angle. I had it bind a couple times.
AzRob
Well-Known Member
I just posted abut this same question on facebook 15 minutes ago .... maybe that was you.
After seeing videos and pictures where the welds failed and the bumper's metal just ripped because it was NOT rated or certified to be used as a tow point behind a motorhome... I did some research.
The only brand I found that ALL of their bumpers could be used to flat tow is Smittybilt. We are currently towing a JLU behind our motorhome but I just installed a Smittybilt XRC Gen 2 bumper on my JTR, just in case we ever decide we want to tow a truck instead. If you find other brands or salesmen that say " yeah, it'll work..." make them or the manufacturer put it in writing before you buy.
If you decide to go with the bumper to tow, FYI you will need lug adapters for your tow bar to connect to the thick mounts on the bumper and last time I bought them they were $219 additional cost, on top of everything else.
Here is a picture of my bumper.
After seeing videos and pictures where the welds failed and the bumper's metal just ripped because it was NOT rated or certified to be used as a tow point behind a motorhome... I did some research.
The only brand I found that ALL of their bumpers could be used to flat tow is Smittybilt. We are currently towing a JLU behind our motorhome but I just installed a Smittybilt XRC Gen 2 bumper on my JTR, just in case we ever decide we want to tow a truck instead. If you find other brands or salesmen that say " yeah, it'll work..." make them or the manufacturer put it in writing before you buy.
If you decide to go with the bumper to tow, FYI you will need lug adapters for your tow bar to connect to the thick mounts on the bumper and last time I bought them they were $219 additional cost, on top of everything else.
Here is a picture of my bumper.
FLUndertaker
Well-Known Member
Rock Hard 4x4 makes tow specific front bumpers. Very high quality, priced to match.
Sponsored
TJDave
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Dave
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2019
- Threads
- 17
- Messages
- 567
- Reaction score
- 1,107
- Location
- Eastern WA
- Vehicle(s)
- 2020 JTR
- Build Thread
- Link
- Occupation
- Motorized toy collector
I use Maximus-3 tow bar loops. Cheaper than a base plate or bumper. They attach to the side of the frame as well as the bumper mounts.
LOD, Rockhard, and Smittybilt are the only bumpers I know of that are rated for flat towing.
LOD, Rockhard, and Smittybilt are the only bumpers I know of that are rated for flat towing.
ACAD_Cowboy
Well-Known Member
But the tow bars typically come with the brackets that you bolt to the frame. Why go through all the work changing out the bumper when you can easily just add the brackets.
Idealy speaking you would want the brackets to share space with the factory recovery hooks as they are direct and inline with the frame rails.
Why complicate it with a whole new bumper unless you want a whole new bumper and it would be helpful if it could flat tow too.
Idealy speaking you would want the brackets to share space with the factory recovery hooks as they are direct and inline with the frame rails.
Why complicate it with a whole new bumper unless you want a whole new bumper and it would be helpful if it could flat tow too.
Shadco
Member
- First Name
- Jim
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2020
- Threads
- 1
- Messages
- 13
- Reaction score
- 17
- Location
- North Bend, WA
- Vehicle(s)
- 2020 Gladiator Rubicon, Punk'n. 2018 Camaro SS, Nighfall
- Occupation
- Operations
Rock Hard makes an Aluminum one, they make mounts specific to your tow bar. Really happy with the fit, finish and ability to hook up and go.
stang37
Active Member
- First Name
- William
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2019
- Threads
- 0
- Messages
- 41
- Reaction score
- 40
- Location
- Mississippi
- Vehicle(s)
- 2020 Gladiator Landover, 2004 Mustang Cobra, 2013 SHO Taurus. 2016 Newmar Ventana motorhome
- Occupation
- Retired
I didn't like the factor hookup points as too wide. Made and installed my own points closer together for improved turning radius
RVcruzer
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Mark
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2019
- Threads
- 1
- Messages
- 45
- Reaction score
- 55
- Location
- Sheboygan, WI
- Vehicle(s)
- 2020 Gladiator Rubicon, 2012 Wrangle Unlimited Rubicon
Ditto on the Rockhard. Have used them on numerous Jeeps over the years. Detailed the install at http://www.rvtechmag.com/features/92_gladiator.php and had the chance to test one during a breakaway once and everything held up just fine with no damage. Very strong stuff.
Sponsored
RVcruzer
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Mark
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2019
- Threads
- 1
- Messages
- 45
- Reaction score
- 55
- Location
- Sheboygan, WI
- Vehicle(s)
- 2020 Gladiator Rubicon, 2012 Wrangle Unlimited Rubicon
Yes, they bolt right in. Halogens on my JK and LED on my JL and JT. The bumper accepts either.
Kevin_D
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Kevin
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2020
- Threads
- 54
- Messages
- 2,382
- Reaction score
- 3,200
- Location
- Inland Northwest
- Vehicle(s)
- 2021 Sport S, 1971 J4000, a bunch of other stuff
Again, sorry about the old thread…But the tow bars typically come with the brackets that you bolt to the frame. Why go through all the work changing out the bumper when you can easily just add the brackets.
Idealy speaking you would want the brackets to share space with the factory recovery hooks as they are direct and inline with the frame rails.
Why complicate it with a whole new bumper unless you want a whole new bumper and it would be helpful if it could flat tow too.
Most of us use a lot more sophisticated towbar than that.
Kevin
ACAD_Cowboy
Well-Known Member
Soo... lets see?
av8or
Active Member
i've seen some posts where people are able to mount like the blue ox tabs coming out below their all metal bumper, is there a crosss-reference sheet or list of ones compatible with that or that are compatible with using directly with flat towing rigs?
Sponsored
