Parts Needed to Flat Tow 1983 Jeep CJ5 With Custom Bumper

Question:

Etrailer team, you have helped me through buying decisions in the past so here i am again. I have a 83 Jeep CJ5 that i want to flat tow behind my truck. what tow bar options do i have for it. it has a custom bumper without tow mounting points so i assume i need a tow bar that mounts to the shackles. what else do i need? i understand how to handle the transfer case/transmission its the rest i need help with.

asked by: Doug S

Expert Reply:

Thanks for coming back to us here at etrailer.

Flat towing your 1983 Jeep CJ5 that has a custom bumper will require D-rings or another method of attaching a tow bar. The maker of your custom bumper may offer a suitable kit but I urge you to check with them anyway to confirm that the bumper is rated for flat towing. This is not necessarily the case so you'll want to make certain before you proceed. We do have d-ring tow bar adapters such as # RM-035-1 from Roadmaster to allow hookup of a motor-home-mounted tow bar like their Falcon All-Terrain # RM-522.

Safe and legal flat towing requires a number of components that include the tow bar, safety cables, a wiring or lighting kit of one type or another, a wiring umbilical, a braking system for the towed vehicle and a high/low hitch adapter. You can refer to the linked articles for details on each of these.

In lighting you have many options, from magnetic light kits that are low in cost and easy to use, to bulb-and-socket kits that mount inside your taillight housings. In braking the best option is the Blue Ox Patriot # BLU37TR which offers full portability (use it in this and your next towed vehicle) and wireless operation.

expert reply by: Adam R