Flat towing JTR with 37" tires

[RVJEEP]

Can you guys take a straight on pic of your tow hooks? Mine are bent outwards.. I took them off and heat treated them and they bent again... Side to side motion from the jeep is not easy on them but wondering if you guys just havnt noticed the bending yet... Top pic straight down from in front of the grill.. Would be nice.. Thanks

I initially thought the passenger side was bent as well , but after i took them off .. it was the frame that was bent causing it too look like the passenger side was bent inward some .. They are so thick , it's hard to figure how they would bend , but anything is possible.

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[RVJEEP]

I am selling my tow loops if anyone is interested

 

[Ghost Stingray]

I installed and used the “new” tie rod for our trip yesterday. Install was simple, and attaching to the tow loops was a lot easier than I had feared. It is a little more difficult than without the tie rod, but not bad.

Stowage of the tow bars worked well, I stabilized the bar with a bungee cord.

As I was installing the tie rod I got to thinking that if you have hitch stabilizers on all connection points there is no movement at all.


Just thought I would share my experience
Earl

 

[ourjeeps]

This is an Old Thread, however, it is the most wide ranging and has detailed photos re. Maximus-3 Tow Loops, repairs, and includes thoughtful comments/shared experiences.

This is a LONG post, but includes a lot of insight.

Maximus-3 and other mgfrs have the OEM Jeep JL/JT front chassis design to adapt to/deal with.

Our JK vintage Jeep Maximus3 tow loops installed in 2017, are 100% rock solid after 7.5 years and ~20K miles of towing. We installed the current Maximus-3 tow loop system WITH supplemental Frame Tie in Brackets on a 2024 JTR (photos below).

Unfortunately the current JL/JT frame bumper lower extensions preclude using the same proven JK design, and we're assuming Maximus-3 changed the original JK design to their current JL/JT design for economies of scale, using/mgf the same/similar "side mount loop" vice original (JK) bottom/frame clamping mount for (now) all JK, JKUR, JL, and JT.

The JL/JT front bumper lower extensions are odd at best (the two drop down areas, that the rear of the skid plate bolts up to), and the overall frame steel isn't all that thick. These lower extensions preclude Maximus-3 from using the robust clamping bands on the original JK JKU loop kits, that secure the JK tow loops to the bottom of the frame rail, with two over-the-frame-top U bolt/clamp components on each side.

Offering here, some thoughts and suggestions for 1) folks currently using or 2) considering future use of the Maximus-3 tow/towed system.

Note: Again, we have used without any incident the original Maximus-3 JK/JKUR tow system for a 2017 JKUR Recon for 7.5 years (~20 K miles towing ).

In viewing the JL/JT frame failure photos, in this thread, we believe using the $99 supplementary Maximus-3 JL/JT TOW LOOPS FRAME TIE-IN BRACE PLATES likely/possibly would have prevented/avoided the JL/JT frame failures discussed. See https://www.maximus-3.com/product-page/jl-jt-gladiator-tow-loops-tie-in-reinforcement-brace-plates

Based upon many decades of RV use/driving/towing, we suspect the tow vehicle/towed vehicle crosswise/transverse dynamics had a significant role in the frame issues detailed/ experienced in this thread.

Non-tag axle and shorter length Class A Super C and C (gas and diesel) vehicles tend to have significant rear overhang behind the rear axle which can make towing hard on the towed vehicle (crosswise/transverse dynamics) resulting in significantly increased stresses on the tow system components/mounting points/towed vehicle frame.

Example in our case decades ago, a 1974 CJ-5 304 V-8 T-18A w/a relatively short tow bar, was a chore in tight turns/ maneuvering with a 36' Class A diesel pusher (with moderate rear overhang). The CJ-5 frame, and tow components were robust.

Present day, our 2017 JKUR Recon MOPAR lifted w/ 35" tires with a NSA Surge brake system and original JK/JKUR Maximus-3 loop system , has, and has had, no issues (of the type mentioned in this thread), in use behind a 44' tag axle diesel pusher. The Maximus3 tow loops for the JKUR were chosen for off road clearance, and large front tow plate avoidance.

For us, a conservative (gradual/gentle) driving technique, paired with a larger heavier tag axle vehicle (like a large ship, e.g. aircraft carrier, that doesn't move a lot) greatly reduces crosswise/ transverse stresses on both the towed vehicle, and its tow system components/mounting points.

We're also noted diesel engine braking can present gentler braking dynamics on the towed vehicle, and gentler overall - open highway driving out West, versus driving in congested urban areas.

If you presently have a Maximus-3 tow loop system, we'd strongly recommend retrofitting the current "Maximus3 JL/JT TOW LOOPS FRAME TIE-IN BRACE PLATES" to better manage/distribute JL/LT frame stresses, and even consider reviewing your tow vehicle options.

If you are considering buying/installing the $99 JL/JT Maximus-3 tow loop system, we'd absolutely recommend INCLUDING the Maximus-3 JL/JT TOW LOOPS FRAME TIE-IN BRACE PLATES along with your Maximus Tow Loop System to better manage/distribute JL/LT frame stresses, and consider your tow vehicle options.

Wishing ALL Forum members safe travels and max enjoyment/use of your JT's (and JL's)

The original JK JKU tow loop system - frame clamps on system (driver's side) same as pax side below

Maximus JL/JT Tow Loop System WITH - FRAME TIE-IN BRACE PLATES (driver's side, left and right side views)

 

[Ghost Stingray]

I 100% agree with your comments regarding the additional brace. We started off with the Maximus 3 with out the brace or the tie in rod. Luckly never had an issue. Then Maximus recommended the tie in rod, and I recommended to them to make both ends detachable for ease of storage and install. They agreed and supplied me with the parts to make it happen. They then recommended the brace plate as you’ve pointed out, we added those also. Safety is key to enjoying the journey. We are really happy with ours, we‘ve towed our gladiator for over 20k miles and never had an issue. Maximus strongly recommend the use of a braking system in the gladiator as the lack of definitely puts a major strain on the whole system.

safe travels all

 

[Zachanadandy]

"Camping"...or driving an entire house to a destination so you can watch TV and microwave popcorn?

 

[Blackjeepjk]

I’m not ready to do it full time, but I sure do enjoy taking the coach out for glamping trips and having the Jeep and outdoors toys with me!
Those additions from above pics look very robust.
Safety first- not just for yourselves and other motorists but also the weight and value of combined rig and tow.

 

[Zachanadandy]

Jealous are you……camping at the lakes, kayaking, hiking and enjoying the folks that enjoy camping and eating “popcorn”

Not in the least, I prefer camping where there are few to 0 other people but you do you. I hear Walmart parking lots are popular for the house on wheels folks...

 

[Zachanadandy]

Ahhh California, says a lot. Others also appreciate the fact that you enjoy no else around.

Being the weather in Missouri is only nice enough did real camping a few weeks a year the house on wheels makes sense too. Gotta have that hvac and TV going.

 

[Zachanadandy]

TV we don’t need no stink‘n TV, now ac that’s a fact we need ac at night anyway

It's pretty much never hot at night above 5k feet...but Missouri's highest "mountain" is a hill at best at 1700'.

 

[Zachanadandy]

That’s why we travel 10-15k miles per year, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, and the entire under 900 foot elevation of the Gulf of America. But never ever in the land of the lost California.

You don't really camp, so why would any expect you wheel real trails like the rubicon either...

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