willald
NC
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Joined: 07/15/2002
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I have a 2018 JK Wrangler (see signature). We set it up ourselves for flat towing about a year ago using a Blue Ox base plate like you are talking about doing (ours has the stock bumper so it worked fine). I definitely understand what you're asking, and can relate to the dilemma. ![[emoticon]](https://forums.motorhome.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
Without knowing the specifics of the aftermarket bumper your Jeep has, it is very difficult to say with certainty if the Blue Ox plate would be compatible with it or not.
I've seen a couple aftermarket Jeep bumpers that are compatible with blue ox base plate, many (most) that are not, and a few that require some cutting or other modifications to the bumper in order to fit a blue ox base plate under it. Just which of those categories yours would fall under, is tough to say without seeing your front end, bumper up close.
If you can find out who makes the aftermarket bumper you have, you might try reaching out to them and see if they can tell you whether a blue ox base plate will fit under it or not. If thats not possible, I would just look real closely at your current bumper, how far down it goes, and compare that with instructions/illustrations from the blue ox base plate. You might be able to determine for yourself if this is doable or not.
There are some aftermarket bumpers for Jeeps, that you can attach tow hooks directly to it that will connect directly to your tow bar. I didn't go that route, but sometimes really wish I did. Every now and then I think about ditching the blue ox base plate and putting on a cool front bumper that you can attach tow bar directly to. You may want to consider going that route.
Will and Cheryl
2021 Newmar Baystar 3014 on F53 (7.3 V8) Chassis ("Brook")
2018 Jeep Wrangler JK ("Wilbur")
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discovery4us
California
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Joined: 05/19/2013
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I use a smittybilt XRC aftermarket bumper with towable D ring mounts. It was the only one that didn't have a disclaimer warning against flat or dinghy towing that I could find.
I have an excalibur tow bar with roadmaster 035-G2 adapters for the D rings.
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Y-Guy
Tri-Cities, WA
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Joined: 03/04/2002
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Mike W are you looking at a JK/JKU model or the newer JL model?
2007 Winnebago Sightseer 35J
2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
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Alan_Hepburn
San Jose, Ca, USA
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Joined: 05/02/2003
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The answer will depend on the make and model of the bumper, and possibly the mounting of the winch. In our case, I have a Rugged Ridge Spartan bumper on my 2020 Gladiator, with no winch (yet). I bought Blue Ox adapters that replaced the D-ring mounts on the bumper, and I'm using an NSA Ready Brute Elite tow bar that connects to those adapters. It works quite well. On my wife's 2022 JLU we are using aBlue Ox baseplate with the OEM bumper - all I had to do was remove the plastic panel under the front end.
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Alan & Sandy Hepburn driving a 2007 Fleetwood Bounder 35E on a Workhorse chassis - Proud to be a Blue Star Family!
Good Sam Member #566004
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Mike W
San Diego
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Joined: 02/27/2004
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Thank you all. Sorry again I wasn't crystal clear. But I think I'm getting the gist. To clarify...I don't have the jeep yet but while shopping I was trying to decide if I had to go straight OEM. That answer appears to be "depends on which after market it has." And yes, I would call the said manufacturers direct when I have a specific bumper to ask about. In the pic in my sig, the good ol days, I had a fixed structure type Smitty tow bar that attached to the jeep bumper. When we unhooked for short periods of time just tilt that thing up. But lining that ol fashion bad boy up, alone, in the dark, or the rain, was a challenge. But the simplicity was grand. Thanks again all
1987 Executive Diplomat 35
Sad Days
Sold my baby
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