Hey Flat-tow guys...

Would this be heavy enough for pulling speedy around? Also, I use pins in the front bumper for quick disconnect so I can easily swap my push bumper on. Will this work ok with that set-up as well? Let me know what you think...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...tem=4559243099&category=50072&sspagename=WDVW

 

Here's a shot of the set-up. I just use 2 tractor style pins in the bumper. I made a 'bumper' and welded it to the back of the push bumper so I could use the pins. Frame and horns are fully boxed and they are 'boxed' from side to side as well. (sorry about listing in the wrong forum )

 

No, just welding or bolting the brackets that come with the tow bar to the real bumper I have. I just wonder if the bumper in the picture would hold up to the flat tow...

 

I'd say that depends on just how secure the bumper is attached to the frame rails. I don't think that theres any quetion if the tow bar is enough, the only thing that worries me is the pins that hold it on. back and forth motion has been known to drop hitch or clevis pins from time to time. Maybe bolt the bumper on or weld some attchment to the frame horns that stick up higher than the bumper and attach the tow bar to that.

 

Thanks guys. So if I bolt the bumper on and weld the mounts to it, I'll be ok? I can live with bolting and un-bolting the bumper to pin the push bumper on.

 

Hi

You could also make or buy a universal tow bar.

I was going to send a picture, but the camera phone is not playing nice, so 1000words...

Basically start with the standard A frame with a ball mount to the tow truck.

The real difference is the "In tow" end.

Instead of using pins and welding eyeletts to your bumper or trying to pull from your bumper at all leave it stock.

Modify the in tow end of the bar. Basically add a big flat surface for the bumper to push against. Mine has a verticle piece of steel about 3 inches wide and an inch thick and about a foot tall on either end of the A frame.

Mine also has a support bar (just angle iron) that closes the A frame.

Ok the big question attaching your jeep. My bar and most of the ones I have seen use 2 or chains but some use 4. One chain is attached to something low. frame rail, axle ect. YOu do that on both sides of the towed vehicle. Those chains are connected to the A frame of the tow bar. The tow bar usually has a big screw or threaded rod to pull the chains, and the towed vehicle into the tow bar very tightly. (this is usually 3/4 or 1 inch diamater big work drive type threaded rod.)

On the two chain models there is an overhang or sliding lip on the horizontal push bars that keep the bumper of the in tow vehicle from lifting up and going over the push bar. Or they just use a much taller push bar.

On the 4 chain models there are two more chains over the top of the bumper and they attach to something solid and often just hook under the bumpers lip. They then go to a tension device similar to the screw on the a frame of the tow bar.

The idea is to pull the in tow vehicle by solid points with chain. Once in motion it pushes its bumper against the tow bar and tow truck. The tensino screw tighten the chains and prevent bumping and tugging that you would have with loose chains.

I bought mine from a local classified add for $60 and its rated at 8,000lbs. overkill for a jeep, but good price and it works great.

I got the idea when I worked at UHaul years ago. They used to use them to transport 2 trucks with one driver and rented them all the time for towing cars. They are very strong and safe. They stopped advertising them since new cars have plastic bumpers and no solid points to attatch to. They are still available if you ask for them a few days early.

 

GREAT IDEAS GUYS! Thanks

 

I made the "tabs" for the tow bar & for the shackles. I used something like 1" x 2" rect tubing. It was more work than it was worth. I'd recommend just buying them premade.

 

Nice set up you made. Looking at the pictures it seems if you put a ring in the middle of each pull bar you could run your chains thru them and not have to worry about them hanging down. Just a thought looking at it. Mark

 

d ring tabs were a good idea i made mine be sure to either mount 2 of them on each side so your tow bar is sandwitched in between them or that your tow bar is doubled at the d ring so that it sandwitches the d ring. one more idea for you to think about i used a 5/8 inch thick by 2 inch flat bar bolted it to the bumper used the holes already in the bumper the 2 in the end of the frame horn and there was 2 half inch holes near the ends of the bumper welded d ring to flat bar and bolted on, might even cut some holes in your push bumper and slide it over them that way