Is it safe to tow with the rear bumper on my 05 4.6 4x4? Reason I ask, is because my nephew is giving me his old 88 Jeep Cherokee but it does not run.(motor locked up). I dont have a trailer hitch, Would it mess anything up if I was to tow it on the bumper?

 

I tow with mine, usually just a loaded small UHaul trailer though.

Probably won't weight as much as a Jeep though.

Probably depends on how far you have to tow it.

 

Only going to be towing it about 15-20 miles

 

You should be alright. People have been towing with bumpers for a LONG time, granted they aren't as beefy as they used to be. But I would like to believe the bumper on an 04+ is designed to pull at least something.

 

A guy I used to work with rented an '04 Screw without a trailer package, bought his own ball and installed it on the bumper to tow his Toyota pickup from Louisiana to Alabama on a two wheel U-Haul dolly. You should be okay, just take it slow and easy.

 

i have hauled 30' bean platforms for about 200 miles w/ my 99 f150 xl w/ 4.2 v6. I have also pulled my race car w/ it.(car and trailer about 4500 lbs.)

 

Should be fine. Just take it easy.

 

Just listen to FOGHAT on repeat...

Slow ride! take it easy!

 

Love that song

 

Your bumper should have a weight rating on it. I would use that rating to see if you can tow the Jeep or not. I certainly wouldn't significantly exceed that rating though; a failure could easily lead to loss-of-life out on the highway. And if you do exceed the rating, and it fails, then all the responsibility (both morally and legally) would fall on you. On the other hand, if you were within the ratings, and it failed, then you could argue that it was a manufacturer defect that cause the failure, and therefore that the manufacturer should bare the responsibility... I always think in terms of "what if" situation. I personally don't want to be responsible for any tradegy as a result of my doings...

 

I would personally just get an after market tow hitch. They are not too expensive around 100 bucks. Most of tow hitches can be installed in half an hour. If $100 can buy you peace of mind, why not? Just my .02 cts

 

Just not worth it. Those cherokees weigh in at 3200-3400 lbs then add 1500 for the trailer and your sneaking up on 5k. Waay too muc IMO for a bumper pull. Invest 100 in the hitch and just do it right. I know it is more expensive but the peace of mind and knowing your not tearing up a nice truck is worth it

 

15-20 miles, if thats all the further your going, just tow it.

 

Taking into consideration it's only 15-20 miles, and taking into consideration you're down in SC and I'm in VA, I'm gonna let you do it just this once.

 

Check the rating on the bumper I think it's something like 500# tounge weight 5000# trailer weight. That's the same rating the hitch I bought at wal mart for 100 bucks had. For just 20 or so miles I'd have no trouble using the bumper, just take you time and pay attention.