Re: Bumper-mounted trailer hitch bracket for Jeep Wrangler TJ
 

Richard, in your article you make a point of saying "I used Grade 5 bolts
since ungraded hardware is not suitable for load-bearing applications. "
You do realize that the bumper you are attaching to is only 3/32" thick and
is not rated for load bearing applications....... This is somewhat of a
contradiction don't you think?

Tom

"Richard J Kinch" <kinch@truetex.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9756BE3F3DDE8someconundrum@216.196.97.131. ..
> Grumman-581 writes:
>
> > Perhaps his next project should be to design a real bumper for his TJ
....
>
> Bad idea. Bumpers are weaker than the frame so they absorb impact energy
> instead of bending the frame. You put a heavy bumper (or a frame hitch
for
> that matter) on the back of your car, and many collisions are going to
> result in frame damage that would have just been a simple bolt-on swap of
a
> new bumper.
>
> On a previous rear-ended TJ I was able to replace a crunched back bumper
> with a $25 OEM item from eBay (surplus to somebody's aftermarket upgrade)
> with hand tools. The other guy had $1000s in damage.
>
> I wonder if people buying all those macho aftermarket bumpers understand
> that they've *given up* a lot of their crash protection?

Re: Bumper-mounted trailer hitch bracket for Jeep Wrangler TJ
 

Richard, in your article you make a point of saying "I used Grade 5 bolts
since ungraded hardware is not suitable for load-bearing applications. "
You do realize that the bumper you are attaching to is only 3/32" thick and
is not rated for load bearing applications....... This is somewhat of a
contradiction don't you think?

Tom

"Richard J Kinch" <kinch@truetex.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9756BE3F3DDE8someconundrum@216.196.97.131. ..
> Grumman-581 writes:
>
> > Perhaps his next project should be to design a real bumper for his TJ
....
>
> Bad idea. Bumpers are weaker than the frame so they absorb impact energy
> instead of bending the frame. You put a heavy bumper (or a frame hitch
for
> that matter) on the back of your car, and many collisions are going to
> result in frame damage that would have just been a simple bolt-on swap of
a
> new bumper.
>
> On a previous rear-ended TJ I was able to replace a crunched back bumper
> with a $25 OEM item from eBay (surplus to somebody's aftermarket upgrade)
> with hand tools. The other guy had $1000s in damage.
>
> I wonder if people buying all those macho aftermarket bumpers understand
> that they've *given up* a lot of their crash protection?

Re: Bumper-mounted trailer hitch bracket for Jeep Wrangler TJ
 

Thanks,
But the real question is when will this one be ready (lol) I have been
working on it when I get breaks at work and so far it has taken me about 6
months. I still have to do the safety tow plate under the hitch and all the
mounting brackets. Even as sturdy as this one is I am concerned about
towing my trailer with it and it is made out of 1/4" x 3" x 4" rectangular
tubing with 1/4" mounting brackets to the frame rails. This thing Richard
has come up with is mounted to a piece of sheet metal that is only 3/32"
thick........Glad I don't live in Florida......

Richard, please don't think that I am flaming you.....I am just concerned
about the people behind you.....Remember that one ounce of prevention is
worth a pound of cure.....

Tom

"twaldron" <thomasOBVIOUS@rubicons.com> wrote in message
news:edidnYLMILUCd0renZ2dnUVZ_tOdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> Very nice job...but the question is, when will _mine_ be ready? ;)
> __________________________________________________ ___________________
> 2003 TJ Rubicon * 2001 XJ Sport * 1971 Bill Stroppe Baja Bronco
>
> "There is a very fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'."
>
> Pronunciation: 'jEp Function: noun Date: 1940
>
> Etymology: from g. p. (G= 'Government' P= '80 inch wheelbase')
> A small general-purpose motor vehicle with 80" wheelbase, 1/4-ton
> capacity and four-wheel drive used by the U.S. army in World War II.
> __________________________________________________ ___________________
>
> cantrelm wrote:
> > That is what I am doing. Making my own swing arm bumper, with a 2"
hitch
> > receiver in the middle of the bumper tube..... These pictures don't have
the
> > hitch cut and welded in yet, but it will be dead center of the main
bumper.
> > The whole thing will bolt to the frame rails where my current hitch
bolts
> > now and also use the crossmember mounts that the standard bumper has.
> > http://www.cantrell.com/scrap/bump1.jpg
> > http://www.cantrell.com/scrap/bump2.jpg
> > I am putting a hi-lift jack mount on there also.
> >
> > Tom

Re: Bumper-mounted trailer hitch bracket for Jeep Wrangler TJ
 

Thanks,
But the real question is when will this one be ready (lol) I have been
working on it when I get breaks at work and so far it has taken me about 6
months. I still have to do the safety tow plate under the hitch and all the
mounting brackets. Even as sturdy as this one is I am concerned about
towing my trailer with it and it is made out of 1/4" x 3" x 4" rectangular
tubing with 1/4" mounting brackets to the frame rails. This thing Richard
has come up with is mounted to a piece of sheet metal that is only 3/32"
thick........Glad I don't live in Florida......

Richard, please don't think that I am flaming you.....I am just concerned
about the people behind you.....Remember that one ounce of prevention is
worth a pound of cure.....

Tom

"twaldron" <thomasOBVIOUS@rubicons.com> wrote in message
news:edidnYLMILUCd0renZ2dnUVZ_tOdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> Very nice job...but the question is, when will _mine_ be ready? ;)
> __________________________________________________ ___________________
> 2003 TJ Rubicon * 2001 XJ Sport * 1971 Bill Stroppe Baja Bronco
>
> "There is a very fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'."
>
> Pronunciation: 'jEp Function: noun Date: 1940
>
> Etymology: from g. p. (G= 'Government' P= '80 inch wheelbase')
> A small general-purpose motor vehicle with 80" wheelbase, 1/4-ton
> capacity and four-wheel drive used by the U.S. army in World War II.
> __________________________________________________ ___________________
>
> cantrelm wrote:
> > That is what I am doing. Making my own swing arm bumper, with a 2"
hitch
> > receiver in the middle of the bumper tube..... These pictures don't have
the
> > hitch cut and welded in yet, but it will be dead center of the main
bumper.
> > The whole thing will bolt to the frame rails where my current hitch
bolts
> > now and also use the crossmember mounts that the standard bumper has.
> > http://www.cantrell.com/scrap/bump1.jpg
> > http://www.cantrell.com/scrap/bump2.jpg
> > I am putting a hi-lift jack mount on there also.
> >
> > Tom

Re: Bumper-mounted trailer hitch bracket for Jeep Wrangler TJ
 

Thanks,
But the real question is when will this one be ready (lol) I have been
working on it when I get breaks at work and so far it has taken me about 6
months. I still have to do the safety tow plate under the hitch and all the
mounting brackets. Even as sturdy as this one is I am concerned about
towing my trailer with it and it is made out of 1/4" x 3" x 4" rectangular
tubing with 1/4" mounting brackets to the frame rails. This thing Richard
has come up with is mounted to a piece of sheet metal that is only 3/32"
thick........Glad I don't live in Florida......

Richard, please don't think that I am flaming you.....I am just concerned
about the people behind you.....Remember that one ounce of prevention is
worth a pound of cure.....

Tom

"twaldron" <thomasOBVIOUS@rubicons.com> wrote in message
news:edidnYLMILUCd0renZ2dnUVZ_tOdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> Very nice job...but the question is, when will _mine_ be ready? ;)
> __________________________________________________ ___________________
> 2003 TJ Rubicon * 2001 XJ Sport * 1971 Bill Stroppe Baja Bronco
>
> "There is a very fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'."
>
> Pronunciation: 'jEp Function: noun Date: 1940
>
> Etymology: from g. p. (G= 'Government' P= '80 inch wheelbase')
> A small general-purpose motor vehicle with 80" wheelbase, 1/4-ton
> capacity and four-wheel drive used by the U.S. army in World War II.
> __________________________________________________ ___________________
>
> cantrelm wrote:
> > That is what I am doing. Making my own swing arm bumper, with a 2"
hitch
> > receiver in the middle of the bumper tube..... These pictures don't have
the
> > hitch cut and welded in yet, but it will be dead center of the main
bumper.
> > The whole thing will bolt to the frame rails where my current hitch
bolts
> > now and also use the crossmember mounts that the standard bumper has.
> > http://www.cantrell.com/scrap/bump1.jpg
> > http://www.cantrell.com/scrap/bump2.jpg
> > I am putting a hi-lift jack mount on there also.
> >
> > Tom

Re: Bumper-mounted trailer hitch bracket for Jeep Wrangler TJ
 

Richard J Kinch wrote:
> twaldron writes:
>
>
>>On that note, the added 'tail' to the vehicle reduces departure angle.
>
>
> The frame-mounted receiver hitches are much worse in that regard.


True, that's why I have an integrated bumper/hitch. Zero clearance issues.

tw
__________________________________________________ ___________________
2003 TJ Rubicon * 2001 XJ Sport * 1971 Bill Stroppe Baja Bronco

"There is a very fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'."

Pronunciation: 'jEp Function: noun Date: 1940

Etymology: from g. p. (G= 'Government' P= '80 inch wheelbase')
A small general-purpose motor vehicle with 80" wheelbase, 1/4-ton
capacity and four-wheel drive used by the U.S. army in World War II.
__________________________________________________ ___________________

Re: Bumper-mounted trailer hitch bracket for Jeep Wrangler TJ
 

Richard J Kinch wrote:
> twaldron writes:
>
>
>>On that note, the added 'tail' to the vehicle reduces departure angle.
>
>
> The frame-mounted receiver hitches are much worse in that regard.


True, that's why I have an integrated bumper/hitch. Zero clearance issues.

tw
__________________________________________________ ___________________
2003 TJ Rubicon * 2001 XJ Sport * 1971 Bill Stroppe Baja Bronco

"There is a very fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'."

Pronunciation: 'jEp Function: noun Date: 1940

Etymology: from g. p. (G= 'Government' P= '80 inch wheelbase')
A small general-purpose motor vehicle with 80" wheelbase, 1/4-ton
capacity and four-wheel drive used by the U.S. army in World War II.
__________________________________________________ ___________________

Re: Bumper-mounted trailer hitch bracket for Jeep Wrangler TJ
 

Richard J Kinch wrote:
> twaldron writes:
>
>
>>On that note, the added 'tail' to the vehicle reduces departure angle.
>
>
> The frame-mounted receiver hitches are much worse in that regard.


True, that's why I have an integrated bumper/hitch. Zero clearance issues.

tw
__________________________________________________ ___________________
2003 TJ Rubicon * 2001 XJ Sport * 1971 Bill Stroppe Baja Bronco

"There is a very fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'."

Pronunciation: 'jEp Function: noun Date: 1940

Etymology: from g. p. (G= 'Government' P= '80 inch wheelbase')
A small general-purpose motor vehicle with 80" wheelbase, 1/4-ton
capacity and four-wheel drive used by the U.S. army in World War II.
__________________________________________________ ___________________

Re: Bumper-mounted trailer hitch bracket for Jeep Wrangler TJ
 

I'll bet he also didn't think about what happens if he front ends
someone while pulling the trailer. He will have a thousand pound plus
spear running right through that sheet metal bumper, right through the
door, seat and anything/body else in it's way...

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

cantrelm wrote:
>
> Richard, in your article you make a point of saying "I used Grade 5 bolts
> since ungraded hardware is not suitable for load-bearing applications. "
> You do realize that the bumper you are attaching to is only 3/32" thick and
> is not rated for load bearing applications....... This is somewhat of a
> contradiction don't you think?
>
> Tom
>
> "Richard J Kinch" <kinch@truetex.com> wrote in message
> news:Xns9756BE3F3DDE8someconundrum@216.196.97.131. ..
> > Grumman-581 writes:
> >
> > > Perhaps his next project should be to design a real bumper for his TJ
> ...
> >
> > Bad idea. Bumpers are weaker than the frame so they absorb impact energy
> > instead of bending the frame. You put a heavy bumper (or a frame hitch
> for
> > that matter) on the back of your car, and many collisions are going to
> > result in frame damage that would have just been a simple bolt-on swap of
> a
> > new bumper.
> >
> > On a previous rear-ended TJ I was able to replace a crunched back bumper
> > with a $25 OEM item from eBay (surplus to somebody's aftermarket upgrade)
> > with hand tools. The other guy had $1000s in damage.
> >
> > I wonder if people buying all those macho aftermarket bumpers understand
> > that they've *given up* a lot of their crash protection?

Re: Bumper-mounted trailer hitch bracket for Jeep Wrangler TJ
 

I'll bet he also didn't think about what happens if he front ends
someone while pulling the trailer. He will have a thousand pound plus
spear running right through that sheet metal bumper, right through the
door, seat and anything/body else in it's way...

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

cantrelm wrote:
>
> Richard, in your article you make a point of saying "I used Grade 5 bolts
> since ungraded hardware is not suitable for load-bearing applications. "
> You do realize that the bumper you are attaching to is only 3/32" thick and
> is not rated for load bearing applications....... This is somewhat of a
> contradiction don't you think?
>
> Tom
>
> "Richard J Kinch" <kinch@truetex.com> wrote in message
> news:Xns9756BE3F3DDE8someconundrum@216.196.97.131. ..
> > Grumman-581 writes:
> >
> > > Perhaps his next project should be to design a real bumper for his TJ
> ...
> >
> > Bad idea. Bumpers are weaker than the frame so they absorb impact energy
> > instead of bending the frame. You put a heavy bumper (or a frame hitch
> for
> > that matter) on the back of your car, and many collisions are going to
> > result in frame damage that would have just been a simple bolt-on swap of
> a
> > new bumper.
> >
> > On a previous rear-ended TJ I was able to replace a crunched back bumper
> > with a $25 OEM item from eBay (surplus to somebody's aftermarket upgrade)
> > with hand tools. The other guy had $1000s in damage.
> >
> > I wonder if people buying all those macho aftermarket bumpers understand
> > that they've *given up* a lot of their crash protection?