Flat towing off of D rings

[sarguy1941]

I have run the Blue OX mounts since 2009 on my JK. I have recently ordered anotehr set for my new JK as well as my JT. One bolt definately goes thru the frame horn. Depending on mounting points they work well.

Sponsored

 

[Blackjeepjk]

Not trying to steer you away from the D rings but I’m using roadmaster direct connects from e-trailer for my last 3 jeeps. Have been very satisfied with them and other than a little trimming of skid plate, pretty clean and not much overhang.
Pictures attached with and without connectors attached.

 

[82CJ5]

Not trying to steer you away from the D rings but I’m using roadmaster direct connects from e-trailer for my last 3 jeeps. Have been very satisfied with them and other than a little trimming of skid plate, pretty clean and not much overhang.
Pictures attached with and without connectors attached.

This what I am trying to avoid. The main connection structure is very exposed if you are offloading and it impacts your approach angle. If this piece gets damage, your stuck. If your not planning on doing offroad trails then this is fine, but that's part of why we want to tow the Jeep, to do back country exploring.

 

[Ghost Stingray]

This was my solution, easy to install and almost invisible. 30,000 trouble free miles
https://www.maximus-3.com/product-page/jljt-flat-towing-kit-wo-adapters

 

[82CJ5]

This was my solution, easy to install and almost invisible. 30,000 trouble free miles
https://www.maximus-3.com/product-page/jljt-flat-towing-kit-wo-adapters

I like that. Still might get bumped on an approach, but at least they look like they could take a hit.

 

[Blackjeepjk]

This what I am trying to avoid. The main connection structure is very exposed if you are offloading and it impacts your approach angle. If this piece gets damage, your stuck. If your not planning on doing offroad trails then this is fine, but that's part of why we want to tow the Jeep, to do back country exploring.

Many other things to happen on trail that would keep from flat towing. Sounds like you need a trailer instead of flat tow.

 

[82CJ5]

Many other things to happen on trail that would keep from flat towing. Sounds like you need a trailer instead of flat tow.

Dang it, I was really not wanting to ever tow a trailer on trips again. After 25 years of dealing with trailer tire blow outs with a towable RV and the pain associated with loading, unloading, hooking, unhooking, I really wanted to simplify.

 

[Blackjeepjk]

Dang it, I was really not wanting to ever tow a trailer on trips again. After 25 years of dealing with trailer tire blow outs with a towable RV and the pain associated with loading, unloading, hooking, unhooking, I really wanted to simplify.

Understand. Everything has a bottleneck or weak link and you’re trying to minimize the weak spots. Pros and cons to all scenarios

 

[n0arp]

This was my solution, easy to install and almost invisible. 30,000 trouble free miles
https://www.maximus-3.com/product-page/jljt-flat-towing-kit-wo-adapters

I was an early adopter of those. They bent, and the company reaction was subpar to say the least. They spent months defending their design and saying it wasn't an issue (despite multiple other people on forums with the same complaints) and then quiety launched a tie bar to prevent the bending on their website with the note: "IF YOU ARE FLAT TOWING YOUR JEEP BEHIND A MOTORHOME/RV the Towing Tie Rod is MANDATORY FOR SAFETY."

No communication. No warranty. No standing behind the product they told everyone was safe and refused to listen (or at least admit wrong) when pushed back on this.

I refuse to do any business with them because of it, and suggest everyone avoid them.

 

[Ghost Stingray]

I too was an early adopter. Used the tow hooks for 6 months when they contacted me and recommended the addition of the tie bar. I added that to mine as a precaution

I have had very good responses from them, as well as they listened to my concerns about the method of attaching the bar. They accommodated my request and I’ve had zero issues with the product or the staff.

 

[n0arp]

I too was an early adopter. Used the tow hooks for 6 months when they contacted me and recommended the addition of the tie bar. I added that to mine as a precaution

I have had very good responses from them, as well as they listened to my concerns about the method of attaching the bar. They accommodated my request and I’ve had zero issues with the product or the staff.

They said I was the only one they'd heard of with the issue - despite many reports elsewhere.
They said that it was impossible to occur with normal use.
They said it was lack of maintenance (How, what do you maintain, here?).
They said it was a tow bar issue (Again, how?).
They said it was a brake controller issue (first, that I didn't use brakes when I always did).
Then they said it was abuse.

No thanks.

They spent months ignoring calls/emails, occasionally gaslighting me, and skirting around any admittance of issue at all. All I was asking for was a refund or replacement. I received neither. This was well before they quietly released the tie bar on their site.

I ordered my tow loops in December 2019 (for my 2020 JLUR). They were visibly unsafe within a year. The tie bar wasn’t released until well after that.

Your post history (https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/flat-towing-jtr-with-37-tires.43080) shows you installed the loops in December 2021, and in March 2022, you had to reach out to them based on another forum post to inquire about the tie rod. They did not reach out to you, and you weren't an early adopter.

 

[Ghost Stingray]

They said I was the only one they'd heard of with the issue - despite many reports elsewhere.
They said that it was impossible to occur with normal use.
They said it was lack of maintenance (How, what do you maintain, here?).
They said it was a tow bar issue (Again, how?).
They said it was a brake controller issue (first, that I didn't use brakes when I always did).
Then they said it was abuse.

No thanks.

They spent months ignoring calls/emails, occasionally gaslighting me, and skirting around any admittance of issue at all. All I was asking for was a refund or replacement. I received neither. This was well before they quietly released the tie bar on their site.

I ordered my tow loops in December 2019 (for my 2020 JLUR). They were visibly unsafe within a year. The tie bar wasn’t released until well after that.

Your post history (https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/flat-towing-jtr-with-37-tires.43080) shows you installed the loops in December 2021, and in March 2022, you had to reach out to them based on another forum post to inquire about the tie rod. They did not reach out to you, and you weren't an early adopter.

They said I was the only one they'd heard of with the issue - despite many reports elsewhere.
They said that it was impossible to occur with normal use.
They said it was lack of maintenance (How, what do you maintain, here?).
They said it was a tow bar issue (Again, how?).
They said it was a brake controller issue (first, that I didn't use brakes when I always did).
Then they said it was abuse.

No thanks.

They spent months ignoring calls/emails, occasionally gaslighting me, and skirting around any admittance of issue at all. All I was asking for was a refund or replacement. I received neither. This was well before they quietly released the tie bar on their site.

I ordered my tow loops in December 2019 (for my 2020 JLUR). They were visibly unsafe within a year. The tie bar wasn’t released until well after that.

Your post history (https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/flat-towing-jtr-with-37-tires.43080) shows you installed the loops in December 2021, and in March 2022, you had to reach out to them based on another forum post to inquire about the tie rod. They did not reach out to you, and you weren't an early adopter.

you are correct in part. I did not order or install until 12/2021. I was early on the tie bar. Sorry if I miss spoke. However they did reach out as they were developing the bar, and I did obtain one after they addressed my concern about both ends being removable.

sorry yours failed. Mine has not and has been a great means of flat towing my gladiator.

I had no issues without the bar. It was installed correctly and torque was checked regularly

 

[Alpine Warthog]

There's at least one dealership owner that flat tows off of his front loops using the Fab Fours bumper and Blue ox bumper adapters. Going to use the same setup (bumper and all) this weekend for the first time.

Flat tow adapters

 

[Nascarcamper]

After about 5 tows behind MH I saw this on my TJ, no way do I trust bumper rings, it received a Blue Ox baseplate immediately, now sold and I tow my Gladiator with a RockJock baseplate with MH air brake system.

 

[rharr]

After about 5 tows behind MH I saw this on my TJ, no way do I trust bumper rings, it received a Blue Ox baseplate immediately, now sold and I tow my Gladiator with a RockJock baseplate with MH air brake system.

Is that one of those high quality Hooke off road bumpers courtesy of Xi Jinping? That is what 1/8" Chinese steel with a shackle surface welded to said steel plate will do. I wouldn't trust that bumper to do more then hold a drink for me.

Sponsored