How To Use Front Cargo Rack With Aftermarket Front Bumper On 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

Question

Question:

I have a new 2021 Rubicon coming in the next few weeks and was looking for a front hitch for surf fishing basket to hold cooler/rods, etc. I am also trying to fire out what custom bumper and/or grill cover to go on the front side and a little worried about compatibility with a front hitch. Thoughts on what hitch / product youd recommend as a front receiver? Think the bumper I chose is very relevant to this decision - do you agree?

asked by: Steve H

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Expert Reply:

For a front hitch receiver for your 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, I recommend the Draw-Tite # 65079. I confirmed that this will in fact work on your vehicle. This front hitch receiver has the higher weight capacity compared to the Curt front hitch receiver that is also a fit for your vehicle. The Curt # C31086 has a gross trailer weight rating of 3,500lbs and tongue weight of 350lbs, whereas the Draw-tite # 65079 has a gross trailer weight of 5,000lbs and tongue weight of 500lbs. This will be a noticeable difference when trying to use a snow plow or back a heavy trailer in, so the Draw-Tite will be the better option.

The Draw-Tite will likely require slight modification/trimming to the front plastic rock guard (as would the Curt). Aside, from the plastic trimming, this is a very simple installation process that will require no drilling or welding. I am attaching an installation video showing this whole installation process on a similar Jeep Wrangler.

As for the front cargo/cooler carrier, I highly recommend the Curt Cargo Carrier # C18145. This has dimensions of 48" long, 20" wide, and 6" tall. The distance from the center of hitch pin hole to carrier is 7-1/4". If you want a deeper basket-type carrier, the Carpod Walled Cargo Carrier # M2205 will be an excellent choice; this folds down when not in use. The dimensions are 48-3/4" long, 24" wide, and 22" tall. The distance from the center of hitch pin hole to carrier is 14" when folded down, and 12" when folded up. You may also want to look into a lockable lid for the Carpod # M2205, such as the Lockable Lid # M2201 and Padlock # ML4140LH.

In regard to your concern about an aftermarket bumper causing issues with the front hitch, this will likely not be an issue as long as the bumper doesn't block the hitch access. I am attaching a photo of the Draw-Tite # 65079 installed in combination with an aftermarket bumper. Now, if you wish to install an aftermarket bumper along with a cargo rack in the front, you may or may not need a hitch extender such as the # HE6000, which extends hitch by 5-3/4", 8-1/4" or 8-1/2", and 11". You will need to measure the distance from the hitch pin hole to the front of the aftermarket bumper and compare that to the clearance that the cargo racks offer, to determine if you will need this extender or not.

I have attached several helpful videos for these products.

expert reply by: Andrew N

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Answer 1

To add a front mounted hitch to your 2023 Jeep Gladiator. You will want the Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch item #65079. This hitch is custom fit and bolts to your Jeep with included hardware. This hitch will not fit the Rubicon and Mojave…

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Answer 2

We have two front hitch options available for your 2020 Jeep JL and I recommend using the Draw-Tite #65079, since it has a slightly higher vertical load limit than the Curt #C31086, which is also a fit on your JL. The Draw-Tite's 500-lbs vertical…

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Answer 3

I am and almost 100% certain that you will not be able to use the Curt Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver #C31086 with your Blackhorese bull bar. We do not now or have previously ever carried the Blackhorse products to be able to test fit them with…

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Answer 4

I reached out to my tech contact at Curt and he said the Curt Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver #C31086 has been test fit on your specific Rubicon model and it is a confirmed fit. You will need to remove the steel skid shield permanently for this…

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Answer 5

As long as you have the factory front bumper on your 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, the Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver #65079 is a confirmed fit. I've attached the installation details for you. It does not require any…

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Answer 6

I highly recommend the Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver #65079 for your 2020 Jeep JL Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon because it is the strongest hitch available with a 9,000 lb line pull and 500 lb vertical load rating (a vertical load rating…

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Answer 7

The front mount trailer hitch I recommend for a 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon JL is the Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver part #65079 because when compared to the Curt Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver part #C31086 takes less time…

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Answer 8

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 9

Whether or not you can flat tow with a Jeep bumper is really up to the manufacturers testing; some of the big names like MetalCloak or Poison Spyder have bumpers with D-ring attachments that can be used for flat towing connections. This is great…

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Answer 10

You are correct that the Jeep bracket should have been reinstalled when installing the Blue Ox Base Plate #BX1139. I have linked another video near the bottom of the page where you can see the brackets being reinstalled on a 2020 Jeep Wrangler around…

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Answer 11

When it comes to choosing between the Blue Ox Patriot #BLU37TR and the Brake Buddy Select 3 #HM39524, these systems are extremely similar in their setup and functionality. Both of these systems provide proportional braking in a compact and easy to…

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Answer 12

For a roof rack to be compatible on your 2020 Jeep Wrangler with Sky One-Touch Power Top, it can't be mounted on the top of the roof and it needs to be high enough for the folding roof to clear. What you need are tall gutter-mounted roof racks.…

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