Trailer hitch recommendation

robert_tj_ski

Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2019
Messages
75
Location
Spencer, MA
I'm looking to install a trailer hitch to my jeep. I have a small 4x6 utility trailer that I use for town dump trips only. I sold my previous car that I used for towing it. The trailer has 1 7/8 hitch. I've been looking online for some recommendation but couldn't find anything specific. I have a stock rear bumper and no lift.. been think if I should buy just the hitch or upgrade the number with the hitch. Please help ;)
 
I'm looking to install a trailer hitch to my jeep. I have a small 4x6 utility trailer that I use for town dump trips only. I sold my previous car that I used for towing it. The trailer has 1 7/8 hitch. I've been looking online for some recommendation but couldn't find anything specific. I have a stock rear bumper and no lift.. been think if I should buy just the hitch or upgrade the number with the hitch. Please help ;)
I installed this on my 06 LJ, tow a travel trailer and utility trailer with no problem. 2" receiver.
https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitch/Jeep/Wrangler/2006/13430.html?VehicleID=200613975
20191201_155954.jpg
 
If you are never hauling more, any hitch will do. I'd likely go a brand name bumper with a hitch route.
But most frame mounted hitches are a better choice.

There might be some real bargains on a used frame mounted hitch from anyone who has done the new bumper/hitch/carrier thing.

The hitch on my YJ was as basic as they come.
DSC_00925247.jpeg
 
If you were local, I would have given you the one I just took off my jeep the other week.
 
If you are never hauling more, any hitch will do. I'd likely go a brand name bumper with a hitch route.
But most frame mounted hitches are a better choice.

There might be some real bargains on a used frame mounted hitch from anyone who has done the new bumper/hitch/carrier thing.

The hitch on my YJ was as basic as they come.
View attachment 127377
I may just get the frame mounted one and get a newer bumper later on. Just thinking if I'll go this route if both will fit well together... probably depends on what kind of bumper I'll get right?
 
I may just get the frame mounted one and get a newer bumper later on. Just thinking if I'll go this route if both will fit well together... probably depends on what kind of bumper I'll get right?
Most of the aftermarket bumpers already have a hitch incorporated in it so most likely the answer is no
 
Get a bumper with the receiver hitch integrated into it which will give you more ground clearance. Hitches that bolt on underneath reduce ground clearance and they'll drag on the terrain if you take your Jeep offroad.

This is a bumper from Dirtworx (made in the US) with the receiver integrated into it instead of under it. https://www.thedirtworx.com/product-page/rear-bumper

Bumper.JPG
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bofa-Deez
Get a bumper with the receiver hitch integrated into it which will give you more ground clearance. Hitches that bolt on underneath reduce ground clearance and they'll drag on the terrain if you take your Jeep offroad.

This is a bumper from Dirtworx (made in the US) with the receiver integrated into it instead of under it. https://www.thedirtworx.com/product-page/rear-bumper

View attachment 127381
But most of these types of bumpers says they were not rated for towing capacity...... hmmm
 
But most of these types of bumpers says they were not rated for towing capacity...... hmmm
That's legalese for their lawyers insisting they make no claims for anything to minimize their liability. They are definitely strong enough. 20 years ago I bought an Olympic bumper with an integrated receiver hitch and it was rated for towing when I bought it. Years later I looked at it to include it in a recommendation and they no longer rate it for towing even though no changes were made.

I have run the Dirtworx bumper for the last 15 years or so and it tows my pop-up tent trailer nearly everywhere I go and it is obvious that it is WAY more than strong enough for the job.

It would be very difficult nowadays to find a bumper that specifically says it is rated for towing. Blame the lawyers and the inability of small manufacturers to be able to afford to buy enough liability insurance to cover every possible situation with all their products. People are now lawsuit-happy even when it's their fault. "Drunk and killed a bicyclist but he's suing the car manufacturer for making it too easy for a drunk driver to start the engine." Right.

This is the trailer I've towed behind two different TJs on bumpers "not rated" to tow. Give me a break.

20181012_181433_resized.jpg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: RobertJ
That's legalese for their lawyers insisting they make no claims for anything to minimize their liability. They are definitely strong enough. 20 years ago I bought an Olympic bumper with an integrated receiver hitch and it was rated for towing when I bought it. Years later I looked at it to include it in a recommendation and they no longer rate it for towing even though no changes were made.

I have run the Dirtworx bumper for the last 15 years or so and it tows my pop-up tent trailer nearly everywhere I go and it is obvious that it is WAY more than strong enough for the job.

It would be very difficult nowadays to find a bumper that specifically says it is rated for towing. Blame the lawyers and the inability of small manufacturers to buy enough liability insurance to cover every possible problem with all their products. People are now lawsuit-happy even when it's their fault. "Drunk and killed a bicyclist but he's suing the car manufacturer for making it too easy for a drunk driver to start the engine." Right.

This is the trailer I've towed behind two different TJs on bumpers "not rated" to tow. Give me a break.

View attachment 127382
Wow thanks for your input, that makes me more comfortable!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jerry Bransford
I bought a Jeep that already had a Smittybilt rear bumper with a receiver in it. I don't tow a trailer often but I do haul a carrier in the receiver with a 275 lb jetski on it. When I brought it home the first day I stuck the carrier in there and stood on it to test it. The carrier flexed all the way to the ground, twisting the bumper. I have since cut the receiver off the bumper and installed a Curt frame mounted receiver that is rated for 400 lbs. Then remounted the bumper over the top of it, with about a 1/2" gap between the two. In the end it's super strong and works great. Far better than the POS bumper mounted receiver ever did.
And it doesn't effect my departure angles at all.

IMG_20191122_092201834.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Blondie70
I bought a Jeep that already had a Smittybilt rear bumper with a receiver in it. I don't tow a trailer often but I do haul a carrier in the receiver with a 275 lb jetski on it. When I brought it home the first day I stuck the carrier in there and stood on it to test it. The carrier flexed all the way to the ground, twisting the bumper. I have since cut the receiver off the bumper and installed a Curt frame mounted receiver that is rated for 400 lbs. Then remounted the bumper over the top of it, with about a 1/2" gap between the two. In the end it's super strong and works great. Far better than the POS bumper mounted receiver ever did.
And it doesn't effect my departure angles at all.

View attachment 127433
I see two problems. First it's a Smittybilt bumper. Then that extended length drawbar supporting the weight of a 275 lb. jetski that is apparently not on a trailer. It sounds like you were trying to carry the jetski on a cargo carrier like this...

042899104155.jpg

That setup, if I understand correctly, is causing way excessive leverage against the bumper. Too much leverage can wreck anything. Especially a Smittybilt.
 
Last edited:
Rock hard 4x4 stated that their bumpers are rated to handle whatever the OEM receiver hitch was rated to handle (aka 200 lbs tounge weight and 2000 lbs trailer weight for TJ or 350 lbs tounge weight and 3500 lbs trailer weight for LJ).

So their bumpers should be good to 3500 lbs trailer weight, subject to the limitations of the vehicle it is attached to, likely 2000 lbs for your TJ.

They would not give me a direct answer as to if it could be used with a weight distribution hitch (the factory style hitches are not made for weight distributing hitches). Probably for legal reasons.

No carrier:
https://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-2001-ac.htm
Carrier:
https://www.rockhard4x4.com/product_p/rh-2001-c.htm
 
I see two problems. First it's a Smittybilt bumper. Then that extended length drawbar supporting the weight of a 275 lb. jetski that is apparently not on a trailer. It sounds like you were trying to carry the jetski on a cargo carrier like this...

View attachment 127444
That setup, if I understand correctly, is causing way excessive leverage against the bumper. Too much leverage can wreck anything. Especially a Smittybilt.
Looks somewhat similar. But is a far cry from it in strength. I haul the jetski and a 5k lb boat with it pretty regularly.

And the Smittybilt didn't even pass the test, which was 1/4 of the weight.
 
Last edited:
That's legalese for their lawyers insisting they make no claims for anything to minimize their liability. They are definitely strong enough. 20 years ago I bought an Olympic bumper with an integrated receiver hitch and it was rated for towing when I bought it. Years later I looked at it to include it in a recommendation and they no longer rate it for towing even though no changes were made.

I have run the Dirtworx bumper for the last 15 years or so and it tows my pop-up tent trailer nearly everywhere I go and it is obvious that it is WAY more than strong enough for the job.

It would be very difficult nowadays to find a bumper that specifically says it is rated for towing. Blame the lawyers and the inability of small manufacturers to be able to afford to buy enough liability insurance to cover every possible situation with all their products. People are now lawsuit-happy even when it's their fault. "Drunk and killed a bicyclist but he's suing the car manufacturer for making it too easy for a drunk driver to start the engine." Right.

This is the trailer I've towed behind two different TJs on bumpers "not rated" to tow. Give me a break.

View attachment 127382

Jerry, that is a nice pop up. What is the make & model? Does it have trailer brakes?
 
If you are to run an aftermarket bumper with a hitch I would suggest purchasing a frame tie in bracket as well, especially If you plan on towing.
 
Thanks guys for all the replays !!! Would you recommend me some website where I could get one ? It's my first jeep, it's a learning curve for me, should I stay away from Amazon?