Will Curt Tow Bar With Bumper Brackets Work on 2004 Jeep TJ

Updated 06/13/2019 | Published 06/12/2019

Products Featured in This Question

Curt Adjustable Tow Bar - Coupler Style for 2" Ball - 5,000 lbs

(149)

$81.89

Universal Magnetic Tow Lights w/ Wireless Transmitter and 4-Way Flat Trailer Connector - Red LEDs

(74)

$144.73

Demco Commander II Non-Binding Tow Bar - RV Mount - 2" Hitch - 6,000 lbs

(80)

$879.00

Demco Tabless Base Plate Kit - Removable Arms

(384)

$461.70

Roadmaster InvisiBrake Flat Tow Brake System - Preset

(284)

$1380.00

Question:

I have a 2004 Jeep Wrangler X TJ that I want to flat tow with a 2014 Ford F150 Supercab 4x4. I will tow it about 1000 miles round trip each summer to Colorado from Texas. I was looking at the Curt C19745 hoping to use a tow bar that did not need a base plate. But I called customer service and was told that only older Jeeps could be towed without the base plate. So, are there any tow bars that would not require a base plate for my Jeep? If not, which base plates would be affordable and compatible with the C19745 and my 04 Jeep? Any that will not require drilling into my frame? Also, will I need a brake controller and if so what would work with the 04 TJ? Thanks for the help!

asked by: Tyler A

Helpful Expert Reply:

You can use the Curt Tow Bar with Adjustable-Width Arms # C19745 that comes with bumper brackets on your 2004 Jeep TJ, though you will need to find a way to mount the bumper brackets. These will require a flat metal part of your bumper, which nearly always has to be fabricated - if you take a look at the accompanying photo a customer sent in you can see how they attached these brackets to their Jeep; the brackets will need to be drilled into the bumper. There are no tow bars that do not require some type of attachment to your Jeep, either a fabrication like the Curt bar or base plates.

For base plates and a car-mounted tow bar the most cost-effective option for your 2004 Jeep TJ - so long as you have a standard bumper and not an aftermarket bumper - is the Demco Tabless Base Plate Kit # DM9519045 with the Demco Commander II Tow Bar # DM9511012.

A brake controller is not needed, though you will need tow lights as well as a supplemental braking system. The most budget-friendly tow lights are magnetic tow lights, the Magnetic Tow Lights # C6304.

A supplemental braking system is required by law in most states when flat towing and is also going to be a very important safety factor, particularly on a long 1,000 mile trip. This is a brake controller of sorts, but is designed for vehicles as opposed to the trailer brake controllers which are only designed for trailer use and not wired for use with vehicles like your Jeep. The most cost-effective supplemental braking system for your '04 Jeep TJ is the Roadmaster InvisiBrake Supplemental Braking System # RM-8700.

I've added links to some video reviews and installation instructions for you to check out on these products as well.