[PSmalley]

Hey guys, getting ready to mod the back end of my 1999 Wrangler Sport and install a towing hitch. I was all set to order the Drawtight (or similar) under bumper tow hitch and my nephew recommended the single piece bumper/receiver in one from LOD.

Any thoughts on what you guys are running?? My concern with the single piece is that I give up some towing capacity (4000 down to about 3000) and it also raises it about 3-3.5" and my jeep is already lifted.

But at the same time, if I use the under bumper frame mount, does that affect being able to put recovery hooks under the bumper - not sure my current bumper would allow shackles to be mounted TO it due to strength restrictions.....

Your thoughts????

[Jerry Bransford]

If you offroad, you absolutely do not want to use a bolt-on receiver hitch like you'd get from Drawtite or U-Haul. The reason is that type of receiver hitch hangs down so low that it drags when you are offroad on uneven terrain. Definitely go with a bumper that has an integrated receiver hitch.

Recovery hooks can be mounted to the frame as shown below. And never just bolt a tow hook to the bumper itself. Properly installed tow hooks that look like they are bolted to the bumper are actually bolted to the frame underneath. One of the two holes required for the below method of mounting is already there, you only drill one more. Nuts and bolts go INSIDE the frame, do not drill through both sides of the frame. There is a pre-existing slot under the frame you can insert the washers and nuts up inside through.

Also make sure to only use Grade 8 bolts to attach your tow hooks.

[hustler905]

Originally Posted by PSmalley

Any thoughts on what you guys are running?? My concern with the single piece is that I give up some towing capacity (4000 down to about 3000)

Either way, that's more than the tow capacity of your Jeep.

If you're buying a bumper with a receiver make sure it's rated to tow, and not just rated to carry accessories.

[cvd]

Originally Posted by PSmalley

... I give up some towing capacity (4000 down to about 3000) ...

1) If you’ve done your homework and understand the dynamics of towing, ignore what I’m about to say.

2) Reducing your towing capacity from 4,000 lbs to 3,000 lbs should be the least of your concerns when towing with a standard TJ. I’m my opinion the #1 characteristic that impacts your ability to tow safely is wheelbase. Of course you need enough power, cooling, braking, etc.; but none of that increases stability above what your wheelbase provides. That’s why a 93” WB standard TJ is rated to tow 2,000 lbs and a 103” WB Unlimited TJ (with identical drive train & brakes) is rated at 3,500 lbs. IMHO - both figures are absolute max.

[PSmalley]

Originally Posted by hustler905

Either way, that's more than the tow capacity of your Jeep.

Interesting, I have owned 3 previous jeeps and used them sparingly to tow - I have been usin full sized trucks so long that I never even THOUGHT of checking the tow-capacity on the jeep. Obviously, I know that it wouldn't tow my boat, but never really thought to check the total capacity for towing jet skis or small trailers.

Thanks for the info.
This is the "complete unit" that my nephew recommended - it has the two shackles mounted to it - I assume this is what you guys meant by having them attached to the bumper AND the frame??
http://www.lodoffroad.com/xcart/prod...cat=258&page=1

[PSmalley]

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

If you offroad, you absolutely do not want to use a bolt-on receiver hitch like you'd get from Drawtite or U-Haul. The reason is that type of receiver hitch hangs down so low that it drags when you are offroad on uneven terrain. Definitely go with a bumper that has an integrated receiver hitch.

Recovery hooks can be mounted to the frame as shown below. And never just bolt a tow hook to the bumper itself. Properly installed tow hooks that look like they are bolted to the bumper are actually bolted to the frame underneath. One of the two holes required for the below method of mounting is already there, you only drill one more. Nuts and bolts go INSIDE the frame, do not drill through both sides of the frame. There is a pre-existing slot under the frame you can insert the washers and nuts up inside through.

Also make sure to only use Grade 8 bolts to attach your tow hooks.

Thanks. Although the jeep will spend the MAJORITY of its time on the road, we are hoping to do some offroading as well. So I will take your first point into consideration.

Thanks again.

[mdm]

Originally Posted by PSmalley

...This is the "complete unit" that my nephew recommended - it has the two shackles mounted to it - I assume this is what you guys meant by having them attached to the bumper AND the frame?? ...

No, those are not what is being referred to. Here are the frame tie-in brackets offered by LOD:
http://www.lodoffroad.com/xcart/prod...roductid=16147
However, be aware that unless LOD has changed the design of that bumper, in order to use those brackets you must modify the bumper. You will have to weld a couple of pieces of rectangular tube to the bumper. You might talk with the LOD folks and see if they would do it for you for a few bucks more.

Regardless of what bumber you go with, these tie-in brackets are a must, esp. if you intend to tow or use the bumper for recovery operations.

[FarmerinVA]

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

If you offroad, you absolutely do not want to use a bolt-on receiver hitch like you'd get from Drawtite or U-Haul. The reason is that type of receiver hitch hangs down so low that it drags when you are offroad on uneven terrain. Definitely go with a bumper that has an integrated receiver hitch.

Good advice if your offroading involves steep departure angles. If you are just a mud and dirt guy, you're probably OK with the standard Drawtite (I am). The Drawtite is heavier, and lower, but usually cheaper and usually stronger than an integrated bumper hitch.

Also, having the hitch up high is good for offroading but it's bad for the actually towing, if your trailer tongue is low. You'll usually put a funny angle on the hitch (you'll need a big drop-down for the ball), or the trailer.

Originally Posted by hustler905

If you're buying a bumper with a receiver make sure it's rated to tow, and not just rated to carry accessories.

Good advice. Most aren't. In addition, non-tow hitches don't have safey retainer plates, where you clip in the safety chains from a trailer.

Originally Posted by cvd

1) In my opinion the #1 characteristic that impacts your ability to tow safely is wheelbase [and] brakes ...

Yep. A TJ does well for heavy loads on flat surfaces at low speeds -- what I call "tug duty." I just did that this weekend. Plenty of power. I would not want to exceed the 2000lb weight limit on the highway, though. Also watch the tongue-weight rating.

[csmith]

If you were closer I'd sell you my Factory Mopar hitch that I just removed from my 97