Mount Tow Bar to Winch Plate?

[zmanmikey]

Hello All,

I have an 82 CJ7 with the factory chrome bumper and the Warn 13910 winch mount. I don't plan on towing the Jeep much, but want to have the option in case I do decide to tow it.

Can a tow bar be mounted to the 13910 winch plate lip where the fairlead mounts to?

I know the factory bumper is probably not a good choice to mount a tow bar to so I'm searching for another option. Or is the factory bumper a good tow bar mount area? I have it bolted in with grade 8 bolts.

The 13910 winch mount is bolted to the frame much better than the factory bumper is, right? I would weld a piece of metal stock to join the front and rear winch mount lips.

I don't want to buy another bumper since I don't like the stubby designs and like the factory stock look to it.

I also have slightly longer than stock shackles so the tow mount shackles wouldn't work for me.

I drive a stock height F-350 4x4 and the tow bar and receiver ball would be about even level.

What do you guys think? Would it hold up?

Thanks for your insight!

 

[Torxhead]

Yes, the Warn 13910 winch plate is mounted securely to the frame and should work as a tow bar mount. From what I understand, the tow bar should be set up a bit in front. Anyway, other options would be the spring shackle tow bar mount like what Currie Enterprises makes. I have been using my own version of them with pretty good success for a number of years. The oem bumper is not attached very well to the frame in my opinion. I have installed a 1/2" thick angle bar to connect the bumper to the frame with 1/2" bolts which should work to hook a tow bar to. Another bit of advice I would add is to run the tow chains as short as you can in case you bang into somebody. As the momentum will cause your vehicle to pull the tow ball clamp apart. Having the suspension tow in set correctly and a bit more air in the tires helps also. Keeping the speed down without trailer brakes is another suggestion.

 

[mtnwhlr]

I have mine mounted to the stock bumper and have towed it for many years over mtn passes with out one problem. I use grade 8 bolts.

 

[zmanmikey]

Thank you for the input. I have an 82 CJ7 and a 79 CJ5 with factory bumpers. It seems that the 79 has a thicker bumper than the 82. I think I would not have an issue mounting the tow bar to the 79’s bumper... just seems stouter. I think on the 82 I will mount it to the winch mount.