Towbar Install - AUSJEEPOFFROAD.COM Jeep News Australia and New Zealand

GeckoGreenJK · #1 25-01-2016

Hi all, knowing this topic has been done to death im going to keep it short and simple.

Im after a solution for fitting a towbar to my stock rear bumper - 2012 ( 2 door) jk, without having to cut the bumper / relocate number plate etc. (keeping the bumper looking stock)

I have seen this been done although im unable to find any info online about it. Any help is appreciated - Cheers.

Pete_79 · #2 25-01-2016

I believe you've seen the Hayman Reese one.

Did you have something like this in mind?

They mount differently to the Mopar ones.
I had a good photo from under the car but can't find it now.

Snort · #3 25-01-2016

You will have to cut the bumper, but I think a slimline plate will fit above the towbar in the original position.

GeckoGreenJK · #4 25-01-2016

The one I spotted was directly in front of the number plate so im positive nothing had been cut (number plate was flush to bumber, no latch needed)

Although, you're definitely on to something there Pete. Definitely going to research further into Hayman Reece. So thanks for that

mike_nofx · #5 26-01-2016

I didn't like the hayman reece kit, which is what all my local installers used, mostly due to the hinge up plate and not legally being able to leave the hitch connected because the number plate would be incorrectly angled.

I don't think in NSW we have a slimline plate that would fit without the hinge, unless you use the front plate which is slimmer, but possibly again illegal to do.

Edit: Oh and I don't think you will get away with no bumper cutting at all, even with the Hayman.

snowing · #6 26-01-2016

I have the Hayman Reese one installed recently. I'm not using stock bumper thou.
But from the design of it, all you need is to cut a hole where the number plate is for the hitch and the 7pin cable to pass thru. The 7pin socket is directly under the hitch receiver.

For the mopar and DBOR hitch, the socket is on left hand side, so trimming the bottom part of bumper is better as the hole needed would be too large.

mike_nofx · #7 27-01-2016

Just curious, why the reluctance to cut the bumper? The flap on the stock bar is in the way anyway, and if you ever take the thing off road you will probably find that it will catch on something sooner or later.