Do you flat tow a jeep with a custom bumper?

[tankcj]

If so, lets see how you mounted the electrical connector/air line/break away switch, etc. I'm thinking of drilling into my bumper on each side of the 'Spyder' but like the idea of a custom bracket that holds everything and mount it to the right of the winch.

[TurboDaveTX]

Here you go! Rock Hard 4x4 aluminum front bumper. Only bumper one should buy if you are planning on towing it 4 down and are considering after market front bumper. Has tabs to connect Blue Ox, Demco, or Roadmaster tow bars and are bolted directly to frame. Jeep has 4" Rubicon Express lift and 3.15 70R 17 all terrain tires. No having to buy expensive mounting bracket. Bumper is also available in steel, but after having 3 Jeeps with steel bumpers, with winch, etc. it is better to go for light. This bumper, grill, and Bushwhacker fender flares are Linexed. Jeep had Air Force 1 tow brake with breakaway switch, and six way electrical connection. Can hook up and unhook in 5 minutes!

[TurboDaveTX]

By the way, if you are thinking about towing a Jeep 4 down with an after market bumper, you might want to consider dumping the stubby bumper. If you get into a section of road the HD is putting gravel on, you might be shocked at the amount of gravel these tires throw forward! How do I know? Caused $6,500 of damage to my new 800 mile Jeep and $4,500 to back of coach. Had to repaint the entire back of coach. And that was with this bumper!

[tankcj]

Thanks! I am planning on going with the Rock Hard tow brackets either bolted or welded (depends on where on the bumper they end up being mounted)..

Thanks also for the heads up on the gravel being kicked up. I already plan on using a full frontal bra and windshield cover but now may also get a protect-a-tow! I don't have these concerns when I tow the Jeep on the car hauler!

Are you connectors mounted to the right of your winch?

[Spk64]

Here is my setup. I got the winch version of a RH bumper even though no immediate plans for adding a winch. Also used the bolt on Blue Ox brackets from RH and used the lower holes to lower the mount point.
With the winch fairing opening I made a custom mount to put all the fittings. If I ever do add a winch then I will need to rethink where everything is mounted.

[TurboDaveTX]

Rock Hard bumpers mount directly to frame horn ends. Tow brackets mount to either the upper or lower bumper mount. Warn does not recommend mounting any type of tow bar directly to a Warn bumper. Probably with good reason. Most steel bumpers are 1/4" plate, not a lot to weld to and hold a 5000 lb vehicle. Same goes for bolting Direct to bumper, unless bolts go through frame horn ends.

True about car hauler, but you enter a whole new arena of problems you did not have before. Using the present set up, I can hook up and be gone in 5 minutes. With car hauler, under ideal conditions (an 80 - 90' pull through) which is getting rare, it took us about 40 minutes to load, tie down and leave. Under worse conditions (where you unload your vehicle, disconnect trailer from coach, connect vehicle to trailer, haul it to trailer storage spot, unhook, lock up trailer) was taking about an hour.
I decided I would change to good A/T tires with a long tread wear warranty and leave the trailer at home than keep aggressive, expensive, off road tires and wearing them out towing.

Yes, enlarge picture and you can see where electrical, air brake line, and breakaway switch are located to driver side of winch. That is a Warn 8000 with synthetic line.

[tankcj]

Originally Posted by Spk64

Here is my setup. I got the winch version of a RH bumper even though no immediate plans for adding a winch. Also used the bolt on Blue Ox brackets from RH and used the lower holes to lower the mount point.
With the winch fairing opening I made a custom mount to put all the fittings. If I ever do add a winch then I will need to rethink where everything is mounted.
Attachment 172218

I followed some of your other posts and saw your setup. This is really clean! Although it won't work for me, I really liked your setup!

[Spk64]

Thanks. Looking forward to see what you work out with a winch in place.

[lakebuster]

[ATTACH]172275
Willys Wheeler with Aluminum Rock Hard bumper with blue ox tabs.

[avid_dk]

LoD steel mid-width with welded on Roadmaster tabs. Net weight gain from factory 50 pounds, downward deflection of springs 0 inches.

[tankcj]

Originally Posted by avid_dk

LoD steel mid-width with welded on Roadmaster tabs. Net weight gain from factory 50 pounds, downward deflection of springs 0 inches.

Do you have any pictures of how you mounted your electrical, break away, and airline if applicable?

[FlaRider]

I have a LoD bumper. On the driver's side is a connection for Air Force One braking system, on the passenger side is a 6 pin connection for the Mopar lighting system.

[tankcj]

Originally Posted by FlaRider

I have a LoD bumper. On the driver's side is a connection for Air Force One braking system, on the passenger side is a 6 pin connection for the Mopar lighting system. Attachment 172319

Nice! That's what I was thinking of doing also but now I'm thinking about a bracket that mounts to the two bolts that holds the roller fairlead on for the winch. In the process of mocking up something now to see if it's doable. For me the electrical connection will be on the right and the air fitting (planning on going with the M&G brake system) will be on the left.

[FlaRider]

Originally Posted by tankcj

Nice! That's what I was thinking of doing also but now I'm thinking about a bracket that mounts to the two bolts that holds the roller fairlead on for the winch. In the process of mocking up something now to see if it's doable. For me the electrical connection will be on the right and the air fitting (planning on going with the M&G brake system) will be on the left.

The bracket that mounts where the fairlead goes is that for electrical and brake connections, like SPK64, or for the tow bar? I don't think it would work for the tow bar but definitely a nice setup it you don't want a winch.

I forgot to mention LoD will weld the tow bar tabs on for free you just need to call the and tell them what kind tow bar setup you want. When I got mine they had free shipping if ordered online, but no way to tell them about the tow bar tabs. So I called and spoke to Chris and he said order it and call back with the order # and we will add it. It was a roundabout way of doing it but my guess was it was easier for them to take the payments online than over the phone. I think it was about a 4 weeks (maybe a little more) to get the bumper.

Marc