Flat towing JT

[Baddad53]

Ordered a Jeep Gladiator. And wondering if anyone else has flat towed it. What base plate and wiring kit did you use? TKS.

[axis earl]

Originally Posted by Baddad53

Ordered a Jeep Gladiator. And wondering if anyone else has flat towed it. What base plate and wiring kit did you use? TKS.

Congrats Baddad53! Our SOB only has a hitch rating of 5000 pounds and the Glad would not fit in the garage so we went with a JLUR. We will be getting the Blue Ox set up. If you go to their web site it will give you all the parts you need. Congrats again and maybe we will cross paths in the future. What color Gladiator did you order?

[MRichaud]

I'm in the process of switching over our tow system from our Xterra to our new (to us) '18 Wrangler JLU. I have a Demco Commander tow bar, Demco baseplate, and the Invisibrake system. Luckily, all I needed to order was the baseplate and wiring kits for the lighting and Invisibrake. Nice thing about the Demco baseplate is the connection tabs that are really nicely tucked away under the bumper and have tabless twist-lock removable arms that stay on the tow bar.


Mickey

[Baddad53]

The color is called Gobi. It's a light brown. We have Desert ( lighter brown) on current JK. It never looks dirty. I have a demco set up now. Like it. The Jk is a Sahara. The new JT is a Rubicon. So was concerned about the base plate affecting the approach angle , not that I would do any rock crawling. I am getting the steel front bumper and going see if I can attach links directly to the bumper. And hookup that way where you normally have d links.

Originally Posted by MRichaud

I'm in the process of switching over our tow system from our Xterra to our new (to us) '18 Wrangler JLU. I have a Demco Commander tow bar, Demco baseplate, and the Invisibrake system. Luckily, all I needed to order was the baseplate and wiring kits for the lighting and Invisibrake. Nice thing about the Demco baseplate is the connection tabs that are really nicely tucked away under the bumper and have tabless twist-lock removable arms that stay on the tow bar.


Mickey

[Baddad53]

Originally Posted by Baddad53

The color is called Gobi. It's a light brown. We have Desert ( lighter brown) on current JK. It never looks dirty. I have a demco set up now. Like it. The Jk is a Sahara. The new JT is a Rubicon. So was concerned about the base plate affecting the approach angle , not that I would do any rock crawling. I am getting the steel front bumper and going see if I can attach links directly to the bumper. And hookup that way where you normally have d links.

Talked to Demco, they said I need base plate but that it comes with new skid plate. Part # 9519339.

[MJC62]

I am jealous (drools) as Jeep owner for the past 20 years me thinks the Gladiator is a total beast! Just had the Cherokee in for service and was in and out of the one in the showroom. What’s the advertised curb weight?

[Baddad53]

6400 or 6700 sorry we looked at the sticker to make sure my E450 could tow it.

Originally Posted by MJC62

I am jealous (drools) as Jeep owner for the past 20 years me thinks the Gladiator is a total beast! Just had the Cherokee in for service and was in and out of the one in the showroom. What’s the advertised curb weight?

[TxTig]

Originally Posted by Baddad53

6400 or 6700 sorry we looked at the sticker to make sure my E450 could tow it.

Wow, that’s heavier than I would have thought. I’ve been thinking I’d rather have the Gladiator than my 2017 JKU, but not sure I’d want to be towing an extra 2,000 lbs over the JKU.

[Baddad53]

Originally Posted by TxTig

Wow, that’s heavier than I would have thought. I’ve been thinking I’d rather have the Gladiator than my 2017 JKU, but not sure I’d want to be towing an extra 2,000 lbs over the JKU.

I had to think a while on JT or JL because of the weight. But we need a truck (it's bed) and don't rock climb only trail. I am getting 9 mpg towing the Jk Sahara 2door. I know I'm going to take a hit. Also the Rubicon weights more than Sport or Overland ( Sahara on JL).

[axis earl]

Originally Posted by Baddad53

The color is called Gobi. It's a light brown. We have Desert ( lighter brown) on current JK. It never looks dirty. I have a demco set up now. Like it. The Jk is a Sahara. The new JT is a Rubicon. So was concerned about the base plate affecting the approach angle , not that I would do any rock crawling. I am getting the steel front bumper and going see if I can attach links directly to the bumper. And hookup that way where you normally have d links.

I almost bought the aluminum lightweight bumper for our JL that had towing tabs for the Blue OX set up. I read in Jeep material (owners manual) that they did not recommend doing any towing with anything attached to the bumper. I have seen others do it with the Rockhard brand bumper but I thought the towing tabs were minimal as far as size compared to how Blue Ox attaches its faceplates to the rails of the front frame which are extremely beefy. Make sure you do your homework. Don't want to take any chances with a rig like you about to tow.

[motofabio]

I’m in the process of deciding and shopping for the right set up to tow my new JT. The cutting of the front skid plate to accommodate the Blue Ox tow bar has me bummed. Good to see someone offering a pre-cut replacement (mentioned above).

Also mentioned above is FCA’s warning to not flat tow from a bumper. This is absolutely true. The weak point is the four-bolt frame horns, where a bumper mounts, those cannot take the stress.

Most aftermarket bumpers mount only to those, which is why towing from them is a no-go, even if the bumper has tow points. A couple of manufacturers make bumpers that mount to the frame horns AND to the frame. If a bumper mounts this way, it will be good to use for flat towing.

If you can find a winch plate that mounts to both the frame and the horns, and mount the new bumper over that, it makes sense that it would flat tow safely.

I love the factory steel bumper and want a winch and want to not lose approach angle, which is why my decision is taking forever. I’ll probably end up with an aftermarket bumper - if I can find one that doesn’t look obnoxious.

[CampTap]

Congrats on the JT that said I have a JLUR i had a base plate from blue ox... not good if planning on rocks at all... I took off the baseplate and got a towable bumper from smittybilt and frame tie in brackets from LOD and got my approach angle back as the baseplate was already bent from the first time in the rocks with it

[vkb]

Originally Posted by Baddad53

Ordered a Jeep Gladiator. And wondering if anyone else has flat towed it. What base plate and wiring kit did you use? TKS.

If you have not done so...contact Blue Ox...or visit their site...since the Gladiator (love it ) ...is relatively new, you might want to reach out to Blue Ox customer service directly for advice on setup.

[Blackjeepjk]

[ATTACH]

I went with the road master direct connect base plates. They tuck up really tight to the factory skid plate. I did have to trim skid plate which was a PITA but worth it IMO.

Road master sterling tow bar
Patriot wireless brake.
I wired the Jeep with 4-wire to just plug in magnetic lights.

[vkb]

Originally Posted by axis earl

I almost bought the aluminum lightweight bumper for our JL that had towing tabs for the Blue OX set up. I read in Jeep material (owners manual) that they did not recommend doing any towing with anything attached to the bumper. I have seen others do it with the Rockhard brand bumper but I thought the towing tabs were minimal as far as size compared to how Blue Ox attaches its faceplates to the rails of the front frame which are extremely beefy. Make sure you do your homework. Don't want to take any chances with a rig like you about to tow.

We have the Blue Ox baseplate on our Wrangler..it tucks in nice and neat and, as you said, bolts to the frame..no issues...

[Blackjeepjk]

Adding a few more pics to show wiring and front clearance.

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