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Old 02-02-2025, 11:24 AM   #1
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Jeep Gladiator front bumper

Looking at a Jeep Gladiator, test drove a 2020 model yesterday. I looked at a couple and both had heavy recovery plates on the front. The one I towed also had a large wench. Overall pretty impressed with the ride, not as comfortable as my current Jeep but it won't be a daily driver with it's primary purpose as a toad.



Can the front bumper be used to tow with. They have large recover hooks mounted on the front or plate where clevis can attach. Can the bumper be used to tow the Gladiator. OR do you have to go with the base plate similar tow what is sold on Etrailer.com


I currently have a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee and use a BlueOx tow bar and base place with the removable mounts. Like this option and has served me well. Actually have two tow bars and have gone through them so I'd like to keep using.
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Old 02-02-2025, 11:54 AM   #2
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The Gladiator as a toad has also piqued my interest.
Most folks I’ve seen and talked with are running an aftermarket Rockhard front bumper ILO a aftermarket low hung base plate.
We have an aftermarket front bumper on our Wrangler and the recovery hooks work perfectly with any tow bar without the need for any extreme hitch height adjustments.
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Old 02-03-2025, 08:27 AM   #3
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Wranglers are the most popular toads so there are lots of different towing solutions. I probably side with the base plates as the mfg's have better knowledge of proper frame mounting. That's not to say all the other methods are wrong.
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Old 02-03-2025, 08:42 AM   #4
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I have used the Rock Hard bumpers on two Jeep Wranglers, and on a 2022 Jeep Gladiator. I have used both the steel and aluminum versions. I currently have the RH aluminum bumper on my 24 Wrangler Unlimited.

The bumpers are extremely high quality and are an easy install. I went with the aluminum for the weight savings. I use the Road Master All-Terrain but Blue Ox has adapters that work.

I use the L.O.D. brand tie in plates that attach to the frame for additional safety. L.O.D. also has steel bumpers that are rated for flat towing.
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Old 02-03-2025, 08:48 AM   #5
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I haven't looked at the Gladiator bumpers. If the tow bar mounting plate goes thru the frame horns they should be fine. Personally I wouldn't use a welded mounting plate but I know others who have without problems. I went with Rockhard aluminum for my JL. Spendy but worth the cost.
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Old 02-03-2025, 08:59 AM   #6
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Thanks for the responses.



Did some searching this weekend to compare prices etc.
Going to look at a new 2024 Gladiator Sport this AM this is priced to move. If they still have it I might buy it. I know the Sport is a low end model but to me it's form and function versus sparkle. It's primary purpose is to use as a toad.
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Old 02-03-2025, 09:20 AM   #7
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We finally had a Gladiator join our Jeep club. It's a 2024 Rubicon. It has way too much rear overhang to go on our tougher trails but does very respectable on our easier trails. There are some very good deals to be had on 2023s right now. I don't think you would be disappointed in the Sport as a toad. Like most new vehicles, Jeep has lots of electronic glitches so be prepared to visit the dealer a time or two.
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Old 02-03-2025, 09:23 AM   #8
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First thing to address is the term "recovery point" vs "tow point."

Many off road vehicles have recovery points, but most of these will not hold up to the stresses of towing.

I purchased the Smittybilt XRC bumper for my Gladiator because the are only one of very few that rate their bumpers for "flat towing"

You can call them and ask and they can probably even give you something in writing but ask other companies and they say no or wont answer for liability reasons.

There are several posts on here of peoples aftermarket bumpers failing and damaging the vehicle, coach, and tow bar.

We towed the grey one in the picture with the bumper and the blue wrangler with a Blue Ox baseplate.

On a side note.... As a FORMER owner of three Gladiators and a Wrangler... all I can say is that... we HAD 4 Jeeps last February, and this year we have zero. I wont be buying another Jeep! If you didn't know, the parent company Stelantis is in turmoil (google it) and has been trending down for a while. The CEO just stepped down and tons of layoffs have been happening.

I know there aren't too many choices so if you decide to purchase have a back up plan because when my tow vehicle went down, they told me with parts delays, the Gladiator wouldn't be fixed for 2 months... and they were right!

I have also towed the new Bronco... and currently I tow a 2024 Platinum F-150
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Old 02-03-2025, 10:07 AM   #9
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I tow my Gladiator using a Rockhard front bumper. I also have a Wrangler that I tow using a Rockhard front bumper. I put significant effort into trying to alter the Jeep stock front bumper into something I could use for 4-down towing. The recovery hooks would have to be removed, and the bumper will have to be cut up to make something that would work. Bottom line is it would be double ugly.

FWIW, I highly recommend the Ready Brute Elite Tow system. Towing a vehicle 4-down is a multipart problem. The tow vehicle must have a hitch rated for the work and a plug for the light harness. Most RVs already have these 2 things. The tow bar needs to be sized for your toad. I like to use the 8000# model for my Jeeps. You need 2 braking systems. One to operate the brakes underway, and another that would apply the brakes in the event the tow and the toad separating at speed. The connection to the vehicle is normally through a base plate. There are a few aftermarket bumpers that are suitable as a connection point. If you want to use a bumper, choose carefully. You need 2 connection points. One for the tow bar and one for the breakway cables. Lights for your toad while underway is most commonly handled with a wiring harness that connects the camper light system to the taillights of the toad. I like to use Curt wiring harnesses on my Jeeps. Rigging a vehicle as a toad is not cheap.







I did a report on my bumper install for the Jeep Gladiator Forum. I'll post a link below, but links often are removed from post on this forum. If the link is removed, you can search for the "Jeep Gladiator Forum." When logged on there, search for "Rockhard full width bumper install."

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/f...6/#post-618259
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Old 02-03-2025, 10:22 AM   #10
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One more thing. The Gladiator is an excellent wheeler. I've been everywhere in my Gladiator that I been in either of the 2 wranglers I have owned. The only thing I have noticed is that the breakover point (in the center) rubs a little faster. I've worked through this by choosing smarter lines. The Gladiator is the best vehicle ever for driving on the beach.







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Old 02-03-2025, 11:31 AM   #11
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I would not use the standard gladiator bumper setup for towing. I wold go with one of two options: 1) aftermarket bumper replacement as mentioned above, or 2) a Roadmaster baseplate installation preserving existing bumper.
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Old 02-03-2025, 03:45 PM   #12
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Another option is the stock bumper and a Demco baseplate. The Demco attaches to both the bumper mount as well as bolts into the frame. As a double security, it comes with steel cables to wrap around the baseplate and Jeep frame in case of breakaway.
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Old 02-03-2025, 04:25 PM   #13
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have a 2020 Gladiator Rubicon as my toad. I have a Roadmaster direct connect baseplate and a roadmaster Night Hawk towbar. The ride Hight of the Rubicon Matches well with the class 4 receiver on my Entegra Aspire, so I do not need an adapter to adjust for a height difference. I have posted a photo of the baseplate on my Gladiator.

One other note. My Gladiator rides much better than my lifted 1995 Grand Cherokee.

Be very careful using the recovery hook mounting point as the attachment points for the tow bar clevis backets. First you will need an adapter to level the tow bar. Second and much more important most aftermarket bumpers are not certified for towing. There have been several threads on IRV2 about aftermarket bumpers with towing attachments failing. There are aftermarket bumpers rated for towing. Before towing verify the bumper is one of those.
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Old 02-03-2025, 07:28 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by prescott23TE View Post
I have used the Rock Hard bumpers on two Jeep Wranglers, and on a 2022 Jeep Gladiator. I have used both the steel and aluminum versions. I currently have the RH aluminum bumper on my 24 Wrangler Unlimited.

The bumpers are extremely high quality and are an easy install. I went with the aluminum for the weight savings. I use the Road Master All-Terrain but Blue Ox has adapters that work.

I use the L.O.D. brand tie in plates that attach to the frame for additional safety. L.O.D. also has steel bumpers that are rated for flat towing.
I also use a Rock Hard 4x4 bumper (steel) with the LOD Frame ties to flat tow directly from the bumper.

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I've had a few flat tow setups with JL/JTs - the Blue Ox baseplate, Maximus 3 loops, and this. I will say that Maximus 3 will never get any of my business again, but I'd go this route again in a heartbeat.
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