Towing a Wrangler

[dhuse]

Question to those of you toading a Wrangler, do you use a base plate or tow bar brackets attached to the Jeep's bumper? I'm concerned that a base plate will reduce my ground clearance.

 

[BirchyBoy]

Lots of options. I went with an aftermarket bumper rated to tow (LOD). Some add a Currie Industries skid plate.

 

[muleman1]

Base plate will not reduce ground clearance.

 

[motts461]

Try This

https://www.currieenterprises.com/jk-tow-bar-mounting-kit

It works great

 

[rhodesaz]

I use the tow bar brackets attached to the heavy duty bumper that has a winch.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPVxklOjmQS2u1IQSUFRtOanpcNs48zAwkL2XUy2BaDE2_BxcK_VgovLAdBLf-GAw/photo/AF1QipPDLFPHZl5heqn2tN5SqFfse1rj-ve9lFz9flY2?key=V2VQMEFhd1hNUTNwS0hickg1ZFVfQnhTd19ZUkx3


I also went to Tractor Supply and got the 5/8 PTO pull pins. Made hooking and unhooking much easier.

 

[keithpollard]

I used the Roadmaster tow bracket, works fine and doesn't reduce clearance. After installing the bracket I wanted to add a winch and new bumper, but couldn't find a bumper I liked that would co-exist with the tow bracket. Ended up getting a winch bracket that attached directly to the original bumper. In retrospect I would have bought a replacement bumper/winch that I could could attach the Blue Ox towbar directly to.

20/20 is a wonderful thing!

 

[McLee]

If you plan to take it off-road, do not use a tow plate. It will be damaged or torn off. I recommend buying a steel bumper with D ring tabs and connecting your tow bar to them. You can buy adapters to fit the D ring holes. That is what I use. I have never tried to bolt tow tabs to the stock bumper, but it appears to be a bit light for that under the plastic.

 

[Bo Walker]

My Wrangler has a rather thin metal bumper not covered with plastic. I bolted a 1/4 inch metal plate on the back side of the bumper at the frame. The bolts also fasten the 1/4 inch plate on the front surface of the bumper. I had these plates made with metal brackets welded to them with the holes drilled for the tow bar pins. It works fine and I have never had any problem.

 

[Edbehl]

Wrangler tow car

We have a 2018 Wrangler JL with auto trans that is a great tow vehicle.
We just got back to the Sacramento foothills from a trip to Astoria, OR

I set it up with a Roadmaster bracket assembly that fits inside the original factory cover beneath the front bumper. Does NOT reduce clearance and is barely noticeable with the slide in junction brackets removed. I only install them while hooking up to the tow bar assembly.

Attached to the Winnebago Vista RV I use a Ready Brute tow bar with the integral Ready Brake set up, eliminating having to use a brake system in the Jeep. This is a very simple mechanical component that clips onto and pulls the permanent cable that I installed from the front of the Jeep to it’s blank pedal.
Very Simple and very effective.

 

[NC4us]

Base plate is the best way to go.

 

[Topsail]

Base plate is the best way to go.

Why?

 

[NC4us]

Baseplate security

Hello, using the baseplate provides secure mounting without the worry of bumper integrity. There is no loss of ground clearance, I looked at a lot of options before deciding on the baseplate and have never regretted it. I tow a 2005 TJ.

 

[rhodesaz]

Base plate is the best way to go.

Why?

 

[Topsail]

Baseplate or bumper tow for wrangler

I can see where a base plate may be stronger, but a properly set up bumper system seems to be a great system. I haven't done any off road slogging in years, but I can see where a baseplate could get hung up.

Plus, I can see where chomping through some deep slushy snow could be tough on a baseplate; after all it's not coming off when in regular use. I'm too old to get serious about extreme terrain but ground clearance is so helpful to avoid getting stuck! Been there done that in deep soft sand hills.

I am curious how much clearance is sacrificed with a base plate on a jeep.

 

[NC4us]

I guess you’d have to figure out what you want the Jeep to do when unhooked. I want the strongest attachment when towing, and I run with taller suspension so I don’t worry about clearance.

 

[jpspaz]

We have a 2018 Wrangler JL with auto trans that is a great tow vehicle.
We just got back to the Sacramento foothills from a trip to Astoria, OR

I set it up with a Roadmaster bracket assembly that fits inside the original factory cover beneath the front bumper. Does NOT reduce clearance and is barely noticeable with the slide in junction brackets removed. I only install them while hooking up to the tow bar assembly.

Attached to the Winnebago Vista RV I use a Ready Brute tow bar with the integral Ready Brake set up, eliminating having to use a brake system in the Jeep. This is a very simple mechanical component that clips onto and pulls the permanent cable that I installed from the front of the Jeep to it’s blank pedal.
Very Simple and very effective.

Can I ask what the electrical connection is below your license plate?

 

[Edbehl]

The Roadmaster bracket comes with a 6 prong plug socket that I used to put my turn, running and brake lite harness to
I use a coil type 7 pin to 6 pin junction cable between the RV and Jeep that plugs into sockets on each end for easy hook up

 

[Edbehl]

Look at the pictures I posted above
The baseplate does not hang below the factory shield but the baseplate junction brackets insert through it and turn to lock in place with spring loaded retaining pins, which remove in seconds when disconnecting the bar