Towing a Gladiator from D Rings?

[Roger G]

I am about to purchase a new Gladiator and set it up as my toad. I would like to use a Blue Ox tow bar and the adapter to attach it to the D Ring point on an aftermarket bumper. Has anyone found a bumper that is approved to flat tow from the D Rings?

[AZ RV'r]

First you would need to get a bumper rated to be towed with... many are not and the bumper lugs are more decorative than functional. I was told, all Smittybuilt's are rated to tow.... I called.... You should too.

Second you will need the adapter lugs needed for your tow bar to attach to the bumper this simple piece is $200.... yes its stupid expensive and you can get if from Blue ox or maybe Amazon. I use the Blue Ox Avail rated at 10k Lbs.

I know all this because I towed our 2014 Rubicon w/ 4" lift and 37" tires connected to the bumper. It was Smittybuilt with the Blue Ox lugs.

I now flat tow a 2018 Wrangler Unlimited

I purchased a Gladiator Rubicon 2 weekends ago but will not be towing it.

Good Luck!

[petrel]

We chose LoD. They offer bumpers and adapter kits for towing.

[Lt Dan]

Rock Hard also makes bumpers with tow adapters that are bolted directly to the frame. Most bumpers do not have D rings strong enough for the constant flex of towing stresses.

[Divingbiker]

Originally Posted by AZ RV'r

First you would need to get a bumper rated to be towed with... many are not and the bumper lugs are more decorative than functional. I was told, all Smittybuilt's are rated to tow.... I called.... You should too.

Second you will need the adapter lugs needed for your tow bar to attach to the bumper this simple piece is $200.... yes its stupid expensive and you can get if from Blue ox or maybe Amazon. I use the Blue Ox Avail rated at 10k Lbs.

I know all this because I towed our 2014 Rubicon w/ 4" lift and 37" tires connected to the bumper. It was Smittybuilt with the Blue Ox lugs.

I now flat tow a 2018 Wrangler Unlimited

I purchased a Gladiator Rubicon 2 weekends ago but will not be towing it.

Good Luck!

WOW, great looking toad and I really like your new Gladiator! You are set up for adventure.

[gpounder]

I just set up my new 2020 Rubicon for towing with a winch bumper.

In my case I did not know about so called manufacture approved bumpers. I bought a barracuda HD steel bumper, a Roadmaster Falcon II and the D-ring adapter ends. I did have to grind about 1/8" off of the d-ring which was too wide for the adapter. In doing some further research this bumper is made just as well as the so called approved bumpers. The D-ring is welded on both sides of the plate and the plate is 5/16", more than the 1/4" ones commonly used. I believe some companies simply don't want to accept the additional liability for towing. I am not concerned about this failing and have already towed it 600 miles.

I did have to add a connection point for the safety cable and added these closed eyes rated at 7,300 each. I used grade 8 washers and nuts. It also came in handy to attache the winch hook to it leaving the d-ring open.

This also worked well as the receiver height and the bumper are the same so no height adjustment needed.

[Dgreen1069]

Here is another option that looks stock and would probably work with almost any bumper: https://maximus-3.com/jl-bumper-acce...jl-tow-loops#/

[RickyR]

I tow my Gladiator as well with the Maximus 3 adapters. They work well with the factory steel 3 piece bumper (or the plastic one for that matter) with a little notching.

[stang37]

I towed my Gladiator with the LoD full with signature bumper designed for towing. This bumpers is designed to use the D rings for towing I used the D ring for a while until I discovered they limit my turn radius too much. They are set at ~34" wide. I had new D rings made and I currently installing them to use for towing.

[Roger G]

I talked to Smittybilt and was informed that all their bumpers are rated for towing from the D Rings. I called Rugged Ridge and they informed me that while their bumpers were strong enough to tow and were rated for extraction weights far beyond what would be encountered towing, but because they are not specifically tested for towing, they would not tell me it was OK. Liability issues! I like the Maximus 3, regardless of what bumper I decide on, it lowers the tow point and should help with the tow bar angle vs the D Ring location. For those of you using the Maximus 3, what ends do you have on your tow bar in order to attach to it. I plan on using a Blue Ox bar that I already have. I am currently using a Roadmaster on my JK but I got the Blue Ox when I bought my last MH.

[stevemoores]

Originally Posted by Roger G

I talked to Smittybilt and was informed that all their bumpers are rated for towing from the D Rings. I called Rugged Ridge and they informed me that while their bumpers were strong enough to tow and were rated for extraction weights far beyond what would be encountered towing, but because they are not specifically tested for towing, they would not tell me it was OK. Liability issues! I like the Maximus 3, regardless of what bumper I decide on, it lowers the tow point and should help with the tow bar angle vs the D Ring location. For those of you using the Maximus 3, what ends do you have on your tow bar in order to attach to it. I plan on using a Blue Ox bar that I already have. I am currently using a Roadmaster on my JK but I got the Blue Ox when I bought my last MH.

I had read similar in the past. Pulling a vehicle out of mud exerts much higher stresses than you'd ever get towing. But most manufacturers are fairly small and the cost of getting DPT approval far outweighs the return so most don't bother.

I towed with a Bestop Bumper for about 3 years, no issues, no signs of cracking.

And if you're not fixed on the towbar, seriously consider the Readybrute Elite, I had one with a TJ and JK, very easy to setup and use.

Steve

[Dgreen1069]

Originally Posted by Roger G

I talked to Smittybilt and was informed that all their bumpers are rated for towing from the D Rings. I called Rugged Ridge and they informed me that while their bumpers were strong enough to tow and were rated for extraction weights far beyond what would be encountered towing, but because they are not specifically tested for towing, they would not tell me it was OK. Liability issues! I like the Maximus 3, regardless of what bumper I decide on, it lowers the tow point and should help with the tow bar angle vs the D Ring location. For those of you using the Maximus 3, what ends do you have on your tow bar in order to attach to it. I plan on using a Blue Ox bar that I already have. I am currently using a Roadmaster on my JK but I got the Blue Ox when I bought my last MH.

The Blue Ox BX88303 bumper adapters fit perfectly on the Maximus 3 tow loops

[Roger G]

Originally Posted by stevemoores

I had read similar in the past. Pulling a vehicle out of mud exerts much higher stresses than you'd ever get towing. But most manufacturers are fairly small and the cost of getting DPT approval far outweighs the return so most don't bother.

I towed with a Bestop Bumper for about 3 years, no issues, no signs of cracking.

And if you're not fixed on the towbar, seriously consider the Readybrute Elite, I had one with a TJ and JK, very easy to setup and use.

Steve

I’ve been towing for years with a Roadmaster Stowmaster. I’m really used to the bar staying on the Jeep but I inherited a Blue Ox with my last MH purchase so I’ll probably just use it. No need to buy a third tow bar. My local dealers and myself haven’t come to agreement on who likes a Gladiator the most. So far they want to keep them more than they want to sell them. I have found a dealer that will order me exactly the options I want, they say it will take 4-6 weeks for delivery but that’s ok. It’s just hard for me to buy something that I can’t see or touch.