Towed (Toad) Gladiator

[Alan_Hepburn]

Be very careful and tread lightly. I contacted Rugged Ridge. I liked one of their bumpers. They confirmed that none of their bumpers are tow rated. Your mileage may vary, but being ANALytical I wanted to ensure that whatever I bought was tested and rated.

I also contacted them, asking the same question, and got the same answer. But, if you look at their bumper the tow bar adapters are bolted through the bumper to the frame so the bumper itself is not taking any stress - it's the bolts themselves that are carrying the weight. We've towed several times so far with no problems.

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[Dennisbeyle]

RR arcos bumper to blue ox have over 10k towing coast to coast twice, Colorado, Utah etc. no problem that’s testing it works great.

 

[SamJ3]

I'm definitely interested in this brake system. Also checks off the wiring kit, right! 2 birds, 1 stone.
1) How much room do you have with the cable length for rerouting?
2) Where do you think you'll relocate the connection to avoid future mishaps?
Looks like under the rear seat. I'm going to have to look...I have the Alpine package and I think there's a subwoofer in there somewhere.
3) Why not under the passenger seat? No room?
4) 5k receiver with a 4650+ Gladiator? Typo or keeping it stock?
I am adding the steel bumper...plus plan to add offroad accessories. (hi-lift, traction boards, fuel tanks, etc.) My Class C has a 8k tow capacity, so my requirement was at least an 8k tow bar.

Hi Jeff,
Very good questions . . .
1) How much room do you have with the cable length for rerouting?
If you are referring to the brake actuator cable, there was plenty of length to reach the rear seat, and perhaps even the rear cab wall. The cables and wires in the Brakebuddy kit where sufficient. You will need to run the 3 or 4 wire harness and a sleeved cable from the firewall to wherever the actuator controller is mounted, typically under the carpet or along and under the floor-to-door trim.

Speaking of wiring, I was able to use the motorhome's trailer controller wiring by simply purchasing a wire harness adapter to connect the standard Ford connector to cab side brake controller mounted up front. And as you seemed to suspect, no extra breakaway harness is needed because of the Brakebuddy cable and connector.

2) Where do you think you'll relocate the connection to avoid future mishaps?
I am still thinking about that - maybe move the connector from under the bumper to the grill or cut a opening in the plastic bumper. Haven't decided yet.

Looks like under the rear seat. I'm going to have to look...I have the Alpine package and I think there's a subwoofer in there somewhere.
3) Why not under the passenger seat? No room?
Most installation videos I looked at placed the controller box under the driver seat. The fit was tight, and could conflict with some accessories. Yes, I believe you could fit it under the passenger seat as well. The box is not large, but you do want to allow for a proper radius for the actuator cable for smooth operation. I chose the back seat because it was very easily accessible, allowed me to see the diagnostic LED, and would not interfere with the seat (it would have been a tight fit) or rear seat passenger foot space or the aftermarket floor trays.

4) 5k receiver with a 4650+ Gladiator? Typo or keeping it stock?
I am adding the steel bumper...plus plan to add offroad accessories. (hi-lift, traction boards, fuel tanks, etc.) My Class C has a 8k tow capacity, so my requirement was at least an 8k tow bar.
Not a typo. My JT Sport weighs in at around 4750# (I've weighed it), and I've been counting pounds as accessories are added. For example, the rock sliders are aluminum. The bumper is stock plastic, though the winch mount is 1/4" steel. While the roadmaster Nighthawk has an 8K pound capacity, my F53 chassis is limited to 5500# due to its longer length (228" WB). Shorter F53 chassis have higher tow capacities. If your motorhome can tow 8,000 pounds, and the hitch is suitably rated (do check that), then all is good with the Nighthawk up to that capacity.

By the way, the Gladiator has been a perfect tow vehicle, and in our case was purchased specifically with that in mind.

 

[Kevin_D]

…if you look at their bumper the tow bar adapters are bolted through the bumper to the frame so the bumper itself is not taking any stress - it's the bolts themselves that are carrying the weight. We've towed several times so far with no problems.

RR arcos bumper to blue ox have over 10k towing coast to coast twice, Colorado, Utah etc. no problem that’s testing it works great.

Since Rugged Ridge has specifically stated their bumpers are not tow-rated, should something untoward happen (God forbid,) you’ll be fully responsible for damages.
This is the reason I went with tow loops.

Kevin

 

[SD Rider]

Question: Since we don't have a "key"

I also contacted them, asking the same question, and got the same answer. But, if you look at their bumper the tow bar adapters are bolted through the bumper to the frame so the bumper itself is not taking any stress - it's the bolts themselves that are carrying the weight. We've towed several times so far with no problems.

That's good to hear. Hopefully they are good bolts (grade 8)? Or do you reuse the factory hardware? (I haven't received my bumper, so haven't taken off the factory....yet.)

 

[SD Rider]

RR arcos bumper to blue ox have over 10k towing coast to coast twice, Colorado, Utah etc. no problem that’s testing it works great.

Real world testing is best, for sure. Maybe RR just didn't pay to test and certify.... I've found that's typical to many applications. I would think after so many people have asked that they would invest in their product. I would have bought theirs, had they said "Yes".

 

[SD Rider]

Hi Jeff,
Very good questions . . .

Thanks Sam! When I get my bumper, this is going to be my next addition. I've looked at a couple other options and having the wiring harness and brake all-in-one is a deal maker!

 

[krivanj]

Since I've been using Blue Ox products with good luck since 2008, I went with one of their towbars and baseplate. I also have a Brakebuddy Vantage Select. finally I went with CoolTech's wiring harness.
We pulled it last month for about 1500 miles from Florida to the mountains of North Carolina and back with no issues. All good.

 

[Aquadude]

Hi. New Member here....and 2nd Jeep. First was a JGC, so not sure if it counts....

I've been searching and reading on here and after digesting the info and some thought, I had a few criteria that I was searching for:
1) Able to flat tow behind my RV AND be rated for flat towing. Coupling to the frame.
Need to fit Roadmaster Sterling that I just bought used... (I may have extra parts when bumper is installed....previous owner used a tow bracket.)
2) Able to accept my factory fog lights...I paid for the LED package, after all.
3) Winch capable.
Going to go HF this time. I've had 2 winches and only used them to wind out and spray with WD-40. Used tow straps all other times. However...I've seen the Warn winch with the air compressor built-in, so that could kill two birds...and convenience. Anyone with bad experience with this?
4) Customer service. Chat was suprisingly quick to respond...and even sent pics and helpful answers to my questions.
5) Wasn't looking, but they offer a 15% military discount. I will support those who support those who served.

Just ordered the Next Venture Motorsports bumper.
https://nextventuremotorsports.com/...ont-bumper-adventure-series-factory-foglights

I've had my Thor Chateau 29G for a few years however, I'll be flat-towing for my first time, so helpful suggestions is what I will be searching for on this site.

Pic attached is the new TOAD....ok...apparently I can't attach a pic....

I tow my Gladiator behind a motorhome and it is super easy. I keep a reversible laminated card in the front door pocket for setting up to tow and returning to drive mode. HOWEVER, you had better have that tow bar you bought used checked out by a professional because you never know how the other person treated it, maintained it, etc. Personally, it is not worth the extra $$ you saved to look back there and see the Jeep going crazy. My bumper is a Rockhard 4x4 and I pull from it, but it is attached to the frame horns so be sure you are not actually pulling on the bumper itself. I am not familiar with the braking systems on a gas coach, mine is diesel with the AirForce 1.

 

[allenjh]

Rock Hard 4x4 has a bumper with tow bar adapters for direct towing. https://www.rockhard4x4.com/Default.asp

 

[Dwain]

I have been using the Patriot bumper from Rock Hard. I’ve used it on two JLs and now a gladiator Rubicon Diesel. I bought the aluminum model that only weighs about 37 pounds. It can be had with a couple different winch mounts and the tow bar adapter mounts through the bumper to the frame. I’ve towed my Jeeps about 50K miles over the last 4 years. Can’t recommend this bumper enough. Lights are wired to a six pin plug mounted on the bumper. I use a blue Ox portable braking system.

 

[SD Rider]

I tow my Gladiator behind a motorhome and it is super easy. I keep a reversible laminated card in the front door pocket for setting up to tow and returning to drive mode.

Great idea!

HOWEVER, you had better have that tow bar you bought used checked out by a professional because you never know how the other person treated it, maintained it, etc. Personally, it is not worth the extra $$ you saved to look back there and see the Jeep going crazy. My bumper is a Rockhard 4x4 and I pull from it, but it is attached to the frame horns so be sure you are not actually pulling on the bumper itself.

I'm going to contact the manufacturer, to query if there's any maintenance, since I don't have the OG paperwork.
That is the same way the bumper I ordered connects and they designed it specifically for towing.
....patiently waiting for it to arrive and install.

 

[Steve4]

Had Demco tow bar installed on our 2022 Gladiator. Using Demco tow bar from previous MH. Mechanic crushed the fog light bumper connector located towad the pass side end of the front bumper. Because when I checked during daylight dash fog light indicator it was working and I "assumed" lights were actuaIly on. They were not. I am stuck for an expensive repair as the bumper and tow bar bracket has to be removed to replace the cable.

 

[SD Rider]

Had Demco tow bar installed on our 2022 Gladiator. Using Demco tow bar from previous MH. Mechanic crushed the fog light bumper connector located toward the pass side end of the front bumper. Because when I checked during daylight dash fog light indicator it was working and I "assumed" lights were actuaIly on. They were not. I am stuck for an expensive repair as the bumper and tow bar bracket has to be removed to replace the cable.

That's horrible.
Is that one a weld-on or bolt-on bracket? I hope the mechanic is covering the part and labor.

 

[SD Rider]

Finally received it and installed. Definitely not just a few hours. Especially since I really didn't know how to remove the factory bumper. A couple threads here and a Youtube video helped.

6-8 weeks on site...took just over 10 weeks. Mark that up to all of the current supply issues since 2020. However, they also had a glitch on the website. 2 different install directions and I downloaded the wrong one. I provided feedback to the company. Also, the foglight retainers are missing. I wish I'd taken more pics during install, but it was 90* and I wasn't just casually hanging out in my driveway and sweating. Pics...that's what forums are for. First was the winch plate which I didn't take a pic of....then it tells you to install the winch first. Not a good move for this one, as the internal bolts are tough to get to...I had to remove the winch, after install to tighten the bolts. I went with a cheaper winch, as the last 2 offroad vehicles (Pathfinder and buggy) I've had, I've only used the winch once. If I use this and break it, I'll either buy the same or a better one.

You can see in the next pic, there were multiple tries at getting the bolts in. They didn't quite line up correctly. Installing alone, I had to put the bolt retainers on and align, then tap and tap, then remove and restart a few times. You can see the scratches on the tow points. After routing the cables up under the grill to the battery, it was good to go...but then I noticed that you can't see the cable...as it was not through the fairlead hole (again, it was hot out).

So removed again and installed correctly.

Also, put the caps on and provided my feedback to Venture. Odd that they said to install the foglights first. If I'd done that, there is no way that I could have tightened the bolts inside that access hole.

The next steps were to install the fairlead guide and cap the exposed connections. I trimmed the covers a bit to get them in place. This weekend, I plan to install the LED foglights.

Yeah...I'm not too stoked on the holes in the top that I'm not using....
Any suggestions on how to mount the front license plate???

Next will be a lift and 35s. Also looking at bed covers, so I can mount fuel tanks, traction boards, shovel, etc... and not have tweakers steal them.

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