Rear Tow Point on a YJ: Receiver Hitch and Clevis?

[Sparky-Watts]

Well, I've been looking for a spot to put hooks on the rear of the YJ, and I just don't like the way it's set up back there. I've seen the pics here of the hooks mounted to the frame rails, but I'm afraid if I put them there, then the tow rope, strap, or chain will be pulled up against either the gas tank, bottom of the body, or the bumperettes. Besides, I just don't look forward to digging around up underneath the body to attach a strap to pull someone out ('cause ya know I ain't gonna get stuck, right? :lol: Yeah, right....). So, I was down at the local Jeeper shop yesterday ordering my lift kit, and the guy there says most of the folks he runs with use a receiver hitch and a clevis for a rear tow point. What do you all think about this? I'm not too worried about clearance or rocks, as I don't do a lot of real extreme wheelin', so that's not really an issue. How strong will the clevis be, and does anyone have a ballpark figure for total price with installation?

 

[Tug-n-pull]

Works real well cause you can just use the pin that holds you reciver through the loop on the end of the tug strap ez now ready set pull you butt out of the deep stuff. hehehe! It is a great reason to fab up a real bumper with a high mount hitch for the rear on that jeep any way, Right. tug

 

[Utah_jeepster]

You will be looking at 150 + for the reciever...with 4-6 grade 8 hardware your not going to have a problem ripping it off...the weakest link here is the pin holding the clevis reciever 15,000LBS or was that the 8,000LBS clevis? not sure here...lol
I have been into some sticky places Mickies Hot tub on Hell's Revenge and had been pulled out of it backwards up a 12foot wall on my reciever hitch...darn stupid place to break a drive shaft.

 

[Sparky-Watts]

So, even if it's 8,000 lbs, I could have a helicopter pick me up by the clevis (sounds painful, doesn't it?) and carry me to a good wheelin' spot? :lol:

 

[Junkpile]

The receiver mounted tow point is a good thing as long as the receiver is properly mounted to the Jeep. You can build the strongest bumper in the world, but if you bolt it to the Jeep with those eight holes in that thin little crossmember that the bumperettes mount to, there's a good chance it's getting ripped off. We ripped a buddy's rear crossmember completely in half like that. oops!

 

[west747]

The receiver mounted tow point is a good thing as long as the receiver is properly mounted to the Jeep. You can build the strongest bumper in the world, but if you bolt it to the Jeep with those eight holes in that thin little crossmember that the bumperettes mount to, there's a good chance it's getting ripped off. We ripped a buddy's rear crossmember completely in half like that. oops!

hey junkpile: What is the best (strongest way) to mount a rear bumper to a YJ? i have been looking at that weak cross member and handful of bolts for a while now....just waiting for it to break :lol: do you have any pics of how to better tie a bumper into the frame on a yj?

 

[Junkpile]

gas tank

I mount my bumpers by those holes too, but I also make plates that will go under and/or over (depending on what's in the way) the crossmember and tie into the frame rails to absorb the majority of the load.