Flat towing Jeep Rubicon

[ttom]

We have a Mortorhome and typically flat tow a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. We just bought a 2023 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon and want to substitute it for the Wrangler. We bought the base plate (Blue Ox) for the Rubicon but quickly ran into a problem. The Rubicon has a heavy gauge metal skid plate over the front sway bar disconnect. When I went to install the base plate there were two brackets (one on each side) that the skid plate attaches to. They are directly inline with the vertical arms of the skid plate. If I move/place them to the outside of the installed base plate, the holes for the skid plate don't match up. I could drill more holes, but that is the easier problem. Installation of the base plate calls for the skid plate to be notched/cut out to fit around the base plate. I repeat it is a heave gauge metal. Any suggestions from anyone that has run into this. I don't really want to do a lot of slicing and dicing if there is another solutionThanks in advance

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[Climbhigh]

Sry I can't help with your specific issue. I have a rubicon and I do flat tow it, but I went with a bumper from Rockhard 4x4. I didn't feel like messing with adapter plates etc. Plus I wanted a winch bumper anyways.

I hope someone in here can help you. I just wanted to show another option to the whole setup.

 

[GAJeff]

I flat tow my sport s with the metal Mopar bumper and is the same as your Rubicon bumper. I installed the Maximus tow loops and had to notch the bumper and skid plate. All I needed was a grinder with a cut off wheel and made easy work of the notching. Just be sure to paint the area you cut with some spray paint to prevent corrosion.

 

[AlpineChip]

I have the exact same setup and ended up cutting the base plate. Actually wasn't as dificult to do as I had imagined it might be. Use the angle grinder with these blades: Amazon.com: Makita 5 Pack - 4 Inch Cut Off Wheels For 4" Grinders - Aggressive Cutting For Metal & Stainless Steel - 4" x .045" x 5/8" : Industrial & Scientific and used two of them. Worked very well.
Keeping my 2013 Wrangler just because but, love the Gladiator and it tows just as well as the Wrangler.

 

[Bakerboy]

I have a roadmaster base plate, and use a Ready Brake Tow bar system – NSA Ready Brute 2.
Not sure how different the Mojave is from the Rubicon, but my set up is on a 2023 Mojave. I had to cut slots/groves about 3/4" wide by 5 inch's long on the skid plate to get things to fit. As mentioned use an angle grinder or a sawzaw with metal blade. Measure twice, cut once. You can test fit and trim if needed. I then scuffed and painted my silver skid plate with rust-oleum bed liner (can from walmart), 3 coats. It blends in so nice, you cant tell I cut the skid plate. Sorry wish I had better pictures.

 

[Bentley1]

Get it cut to fit around it. I have a Rubicon Gladiator, using the Roadmaster setup but it had the same problem. I took some chaulk and marked where it needed to be cut and took it to a welding shop. They cut it for 20 bucks and I painted and reinstalled it. Was very simple to get done.

 

[ttom]

I have the exact same setup and ended up cutting the base plate. Actually wasn't as dificult to do as I had imagined it might be. Use the angle grinder with these blades: Amazon.com: Makita 5 Pack - 4 Inch Cut Off Wheels For 4" Grinders - Aggressive Cutting For Metal & Stainless Steel - 4" x .045" x 5/8" : Industrial & Scientific and used two of them. Worked very well.
Keeping my 2013 Wrangler just because but, love the Gladiator and it tows just as well as the Wrangler.

Thanks to all that pitched their ideas. Alpine Chip nailed it. I was concerned about cutting the base plate and the alignment of the base plate holes after the cut. I got my jig saw out with some metal blades and the angle grinder. Cut and clean up worked well. I originally did this on the Wrangler but the Rubicon had a lot more going on down there. Second opinions help. Thanks again

 

[Weldit]

For others info…. A decent aftermarket bumper with d-ring tow locations can be bought for about what a blue ox base plate costs. And then all you need is $50 adapters to adapt to your current tow bar. (estimated costs as I don’t remember specifics). My JT came with a Rugged Ridge bumper already on it so…..

 

[Wildtoad]

We have a Mortorhome and typically flat tow a 2018 Jeep Wrangler. We just bought a 2023 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon and want to substitute it for the Wrangler.

Have you checked the tow specs for your MH? Rubicon JT's are really heavy. Should not be an issue for a DP, but a gasser....

 

[ttom]

Have you checked the tow specs for your MH? Rubicon JT's are really heavy. Should not be an issue for a DP, but a gasser....

Yes we checked the weight, we have a DP

 

[Kg4rrx]

We also went with the Rockhard 4x4 aluminum bumper. I'm estimating the Jeep weighs about 5800 lbs, no lightweight by any means.

 

[professorkx]

I flat tow my sport s with the metal Mopar bumper and is the same as your Rubicon bumper. I installed the Maximus tow loops and had to notch the bumper and skid plate. All I needed was a grinder with a cut off wheel and made easy work of the notching. Just be sure to paint the area you cut with some spray paint to prevent corrosion.

I used this with a Blue Ox on a winter trip across the country to Florida towing our 2014 Rubicon 4 door. Unfortunately, they both bent, so tossed the stock bumper and installed an aftermarket winch bumper with thick D ring tabs., and switched to a Roadmaster tow bar. Since we were traveling, I changed the front bumper in a Walmart parking lot and tossed the stock bumper in the dumpster at the RV park.

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