How to Make Curt Tow Bar Work With Warrior Leaf Spring Tow Shackles

Updated 09/03/2026 | Published 08/24/2026

Products Featured in This Question

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

(162)

$95.88

Curt, Reese, Valley, Draw-Tite, and EazLift Tow Bar Adapter Brackets for Blue Ox Base Plates

(35)

$79.36

Question:

I have an older jeep with Warrior Leaf Spring Tow Shackles 1.75 inch wide inside width. I would like to use the Curt Adjustable Tow Bar. I noticed that the Connector Weldment on the Curt product is designed to work with a 2 wide Clevis mount weldment. To make this work, I would need to grind off 1/8 on each side of the Connector Weldment spacer tube to match the 1.75 spacing on the shackles. I have no dimensions so It is hard to tell if this is a possible solution but the product assembly drawings make this look feasible. if you can provide feedback this would be appreciated. Thanks in advance...Mike

asked by: Mike J

Expert Reply:

Hey Mike!

You actually shouldn't need to grind down the connector weldments on the Curt Adjustable Tow Bar # C19745. I would not recommend removing material from those components since they're structural parts of the tow bar.

Instead, you can remove the mounting brackets that come with the Curt tow bar and install the Blue Ox Tow Bar Adapter Brackets # BX8833. We've physically compared these adapters with the # C19745 and confirmed they fit together. The Curt tow bar arms measure about 1.97" wide, while the opening in the # BX8833 adapters is 2", so they fit together without modifying the tow bar.

The # BX8833 gives you a much better starting point for connecting the Curt tow bar to a clevis/shackle-style attachment than grinding 1/8" from each side of the original Curt components.

What is the diameter of the pin hole in your Warrior tow shackles? That measurement will let me confirm the other side of the connection before you order anything.

expert reply by: Jerry B

Mike J.

8/31/2026

Jerry, Thank you for your very helpful reply to my somewhat unusual question :-). The pin size for the shackles is 0.5 inches. If I understand you correctly, the Blue Ox Tow Bar Adapter brackets will connect directly to the ends of the tow arms with a single vertical pin and the other end of the adapter will be pinned by the horizontal pin in the tow shackles. If the hole sizes match then I think this will work well. I believe that I will probably need to get some washers to serve as spacers on each side of the adapter tabs that connect to the toe shackles to fill the gaps and prevent any movement from side to side. If this action is taken then I think this is a very easy solution to the problem and completely eliminates my questionable ideas like modifying parts of the tow bar. If you can please confirm that adapter pin size is 0.5 inches, I will place my order any you will have another happy customer! The customer service at etrailer.com is excellent. While your reputation for high quality service is well known, it was even better to experience it first hand! Thanks again! Mike

Jerry B.

8/31/2026

@MikeJ We didn't have one in stock right now for me to physically confirm (they're here but being checked into the warehouse so will likely be released in about 48 hours once verified), but the installation instructions for # BX8833 specify that it uses a 1/2" x 3-1/4" grade 5 bolt with a lock nut, so I'm confident that it will work for you.

Mikej

8/31/2026

@JerryB, Thanks for confirming that the pin size should work...I will place the order today. I will provide additional feedback if I discover anything that may be helpful to others after I try this out.