Towing w/ a Jeep TJ

[SGNellett]

I currently have Tomken bumpers on my TJ, as it was the only bumper I could find that was rated for towing and had a provision for a swing away carrier for my 33" spare tire. I want to avoid having a big ugly, rusty Reese-type hitch hanging down under my Jeep to snag on things.

Recently, the powder coating is showing some rust underneath. Tomken has said if I pull them off and ship them back to CO they will sand them down and re-coat them. I'm not sure I want to be without bumpers for a few weeks and I might just go with someone else. My main reason is that I have seen issues w/ coatings from them on new parts that haven't even been installed yet. Does anyone have a recommendation for a tow rated, black, non tube, carrier compatible bumper that doesn't cost more than my Jeep is worth?

 

[goodtimes]

I currently have Tomken bumpers on my TJ, as it was the only bumper I could find that was rated for towing and had a provision for a swing away carrier for my 33" spare tire. I want to avoid having a big ugly, rusty Reese-type hitch hanging down under my Jeep to snag on things.

Recently, the powder coating is showing some rust underneath. Tomken has said if I pull them off and ship them back to CO they will sand them down and re-coat them. I'm not sure I want to be without bumpers for a few weeks and I might just go with someone else. My main reason is that I have seen issues w/ coatings from them on new parts that haven't even been installed yet. Does anyone have a recommendation for a tow rated, black, non tube, carrier compatible bumper that doesn't cost more than my Jeep is worth?

Have you considered having someone local do the powder coating? You would be looking at a couple of days instead of a couple of weeks...

Just a thought...

 

[SGNellett]

Have you considered having someone local do the powder coating? You would be looking at a couple of days instead of a couple of weeks...

Just a thought...

True, but it is kind of the principle of the thing, I've already paid for it once, ya know? I'm not sure if there is anyone close who can do it...

 

[SGNellett]

There have got to be a few TJ drivers here who are towing and not using a factory style hitch, let's see what you have!

 

[emohn]

I plan on beefing up one of the run-o-the-mill steel ebay rockcrawler style bumpers (usually ranging from $150 to $175) at the receiver tube and adding tie-ins to the side of the frame rails in the back. Most aftermarket bumpers do not come tow-rated (i.e. no stated towing range/class) due to liability and destructive testing costs. I would feel comfortable towing up to the factory rated 3,000 lbs with one of these bumpers, but plan on beefing it up to satisfy my own pessimism.

For reference, this is the style of bumper I'm talking about.
eBay Link

-Erik M.

 

[SGNellett]

I plan on beefing up one of the run-o-the-mill steel ebay rockcrawler style bumpers (usually ranging from $150 to $175) at the receiver tube and adding tie-ins to the side of the frame rails in the back. Most aftermarket bumpers do not come tow-rated (i.e. no stated towing range/class) due to liability and destructive testing costs. I would feel comfortable towing up to the factory rated 3,000 lbs with one of these bumpers, but plan on beefing it up to satisfy my own pessimism.

For reference, this is the style of bumper I'm talking about.
eBay Link

-Erik M.

This was the main reason I went with Tomken, as they do rate their bumpers for up to 3000 lbs on a TJ and I knew going in I'd be doing some towing. Not much, but my trailer weighs 600lbs empty, that is a bit more than the bike racks most are designed for.

 

[emohn]

Check out post #39 in this thread on JeepForums to see what I was talking about with the rear frame tie-ins:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=641077&page=3

If your bumper does not tie into the side of the frame rails and you plan to do any towing, I would recommend adding those tie-ins. Also, I'd make sure to look for a bumper that has the receiver passing through the front and rear of the bumper tube, welded on both sides. If those criteria are met, and grade 8 hardware used throughout, I'd feel pretty comfortable towing up to the max recommended 3000 lbs.

 

[alosix]

I've always used the Factory Style hitch on mine. One day I might change it, but it really doesn't seem to get in the way all that often. I think its actually saved my stock gas tank skid a few times from landing on it pretty hard.

As far as the powder coat goes. I've yet to have it really stick to the metal very good. Its basically a plastic coating that doesn't bond to the metal. If a little bit of rust starts under it its going to spread, there's nothing you can do about it. This includes my AEV rocker gaurds and current front bumper.

I'd suggest having it sandblasted and painted black.

Jason

 

[RedDog]

The TJ's towing capacity is 2,000 lbs for the 4.0L if it has a manual transmission, but only 1,000 lbs with an automatic. ALL 2.4L TJ's are limited to 1,000 lbs with either transmission.

 

[rubicon789]

I have a Garvin and love it... I think it is also class 3 rated... but not sure. When they had the bumper for the TJ on there website, I for some reason remember seeing it listed as "Class 3 "

 

[jagular7]

I have an LOD rear bumper on 6cyl TJ and a Tomken on a 4cyl TJ. I tow with both but try not to over load the trailer. I had pulled with the LOD 500# of steel in the M101 trailer (1250#s). Only problem I had was braking. It appears the rear brakes have little to none working action. My front kept locking up when braking a little hard.
The LOD mounting is inside the frame on the rear crossmember and underneath in the frame. It comes with the rear swing tire carrier.

I've towed across KS, CO and into UT a camping trailer that weighed 1500#s with a 4cyl/auto TJ using the Tomken bumper. On that TJ, I have the frame strengtheners as well due to the mounting of the bumper to the stock wing locations. The Tomken bumper mounts to under the frame as well.

Using multiple locations to the rear crossmember as well as the frame on the TJ is the best way of distributing the forces of towing. Biggest concern once that is done, is the stability of the TJ with the trailer behind it.

 

[AlaskanFlightMedic]

I have a ARB rear bumper on my '06 LJ....I have NO IDEA how many tie'in to the frame it has...too many according to the shop I had install it; as if ARB would do anything less. It is a rated class 3 (at least) and one of the few rated class hitches I have found for the jeep