.....or possibly having a shop retrofit my current bumper with more reinforcement for the D-ring mounts, since they're at just about the perfect spacing that most tow-bar companies list.
I have 8 trailers ranging from 1k to 18K and 14’ to 30’. I think I may have issues.
You want tow points to attach in a way that they tie into the frame, otherwise all the force is acting on the face of the bumper, which would be the same as using your face-welded d-rings to tow with. Granted, if the d-rings have been used for recovery, they've probably been subjected to the same or more force than they would be if used for towing. The d-rings *might* be ok to tow with - or they might not.
When looking at setting up mine for flat towing, I found that no bumper manufacturer would specifically 'tow rate' their front bumpers, which I'm sure is to limit liabilty exposure.
I run the OEM front bumper and had these tow brackets fabbed to bolt right into the frame. Tough to say if that could be an option by looking at your bumper. If not, another option would be tow brackets that attach to the underside of the frame rails. Roadmaster, Blue Ox, Currie and others make a variety of brackets specifically for flat towing. Couple examples...
https://www.rockjock4x4.com/CE-9033TJ
https://www.etrailer.com/Base-Plates/Jeep/TJ/2006/RM-521424-5.html?VehicleID=200654517
View attachment 508643
not sure on optional light bar, since i'm not sold on the idea that I need fog lights with the HID/LED lights - they're pretty darned bright alone!
I'm buying another '03 TJ soon but it's in SoCal. I'm using my tow dolly w/E-brakes behind my '16 4-Runner. It's got a 5k tow rating.
I've also got a 14' car carrier w/brakes on both axles but, over all it's too heavy to drag behind the 4-Runner with the Jeep on it.
So the dolly is going to be it. I'm going to remove the rear driveshaft and make sure the rear diff has enough gear oil in it.
And I've made my own auxiliary towing lights that will slip into the 2" receiver on the Jeep.
Also the Jeep is a little lighter because it was stolen and they took the full doors and hardtop.
But was recovered 2 days later stuck in the mud. I'm buying it from my S-I-L.
Good call with the dolly. After experiencing this, I don't recommend it:
View attachment 509652
Luckily, I wasn't going far.
Buddy of mine towed his TJ to Kentucky on a Uhaul behind a Grand Cherokee...Those U-haul trailers are ridiculously heavy.
Buddy of mine towed his TJ to Kentucky on a Uhaul behind a Grand Cherokee...Those U-haul trailers are ridiculously heavy.
I'm interested in more info on your setup. Did you buy this bar? What breakaway brake/surge brake are you using?I installed base plates that bolts right to the frame. A hitch mounted to the bumper can cause the metal to crack at the welds over time.
View attachment 508694
Good call with the dolly. After experiencing this, I don't recommend it:
View attachment 509652
Luckily, I wasn't going far.
You need 10-15% of total trailer weight on the tongue to minimize sway - might have been a bit better performing if you reversed the Jeep onto the trailer. You had the bulk of the weight in front of the trailer axles. Also max inflation for rear tires if you didn't do that.
Andy
Good call with the dolly. After experiencing this, I don't recommend it:
View attachment 509652
Luckily, I wasn't going far.