tow bar to front bumper

[Jeep Slayer]

I was looking at a brand called blue ox it is a class 3-tow bar with
A 5000 lbs rating. Also seeing that my bronco like most has a custom
bumper how did you hook up the base plate to your rig? I don’t know
much about flat towing and need to get it right the first time.
I can have any welding and fab work done at my work
but just need to know where to start. And if I need to buy the base plate for the towbar, as I will be buying a used one or can I just fab up something to hook the bar to the bumper.
any thoughts
Bryan

 

[garberz]

Don't waste your money on a base plate. I don't think they make one for a Bronco anyway. I made my own front bumper, and made the attachments for the Blue-Ox tow bar. 1/2"x2" flat stock. The real RV tow bars are so easy to use. Except I still have to remove the rear driveshaft.

 

[Jeep Slayer]

Did you just weld it to the bumper ??
Looks good

 

[Jeep Slayer]

Oh and how do you like the blue ox

 

[sdugs]

Hey Man,

I just bought a generic 5000 lb tow bar from pep boys and used a length of angle for the base plate. I bolted the angle under the bumper directly to the frame using the bottom holes. I then bolted and welded the brackets to the angle iron at the desired width for the tow bar. I did this is 2001 and still using the same setup. I also use the angle on my samuri when I tow it behind the Rv. I drilled another set of holes in the angle to match the samuri frame. I just had to fab up different brackets. It switches back and forth in less than 10 minutes.

Sean
68&77 EB
Jax Fl

 

[Madgyver]

http://store.uhaul.com/product_detail.aspx?id=260

These bolt to the bumper, Drill your own holes..

I watch this towbar tow a big Unimog with it bolted to the front skid plate..

I saw the same towbar (rebadged) is $69. at a local store that resales Harborfreight stuff.

 

[garberz]

Did you just weld it to the bumper ??
Looks good

Oh and how do you like the blue ox[/QUOTE]"]

Oh and how do you like the blue ox

I just welded the tabs to a 3"x4"x1/4" plate, then welded the plate to the bumper. The bumper is 4"x2"x3/16". I originally made this bumper for a 2 piece tow bar that I made. It worked fine, except you had to have both vehicles somewhat level. Also to disconnect, they would bind up and it's very difficult to get undone. The Blue-Ox is very simple because of the adjust ability. You connect it, drive away, and it locks into position. To disconnect you unlock the spreader bars and that relieves the bind. Heres a pic of my old tow bar, now retired. there is a draw bar that slides in that is 4' long.

 

[Jeep Slayer]

Thanks for all the input now I just have to find a tow bar in my price range eather a blue ox or a roadmaster.
Thanks Again

 

[blubuckaroo]

The towbar really should be mounted lower than the bumper unless you are using a really tall tow vehicle. It's more of a safety issue than handling. The towbar should be angled up from the Bronco to the tow vehicle. The old style ball couplers have been known to pop off if it's rigged the wrong way.

 

[Jeep Slayer]

I will be hooking it up to 32 foot bounder motorhome. I am going to pick up a demco DM 1002 that I found on craigslist with the towbar and base plate for $50.00 in good shape and I am going to get it welded to the under side of my made to fit smitty built.
Good info Thanks

 

[garberz]

The towbar really should be mounted lower than the bumper unless you are using a really tall tow vehicle. It's more of a safety issue than handling. The towbar should be angled up from the Bronco to the tow vehicle. The old style ball couplers have been known to pop off if it's rigged the wrong way.

Your going to want the towbar level. If not, the towed vehicle could possibly dive under the RV if the towed vehicle is lower. Or the towed vehicle could climb over the tow bar if it is attached to low to the RV. The type of tow bar your looking at is made to store on the towed vehicle. It has a trailer coupling hitch. Mount the base plate to your Bronco and use a drop receiver or riser to get the bar level.