Rear Shackle vs Rear Hitch

Inc · **Posted:** Mon Feb 23, 2009 5:55 pm

Which should I go with for my new ear bumper? I was talking to my guy again and he mentioned maybe getting rid of the rear hitch and just doing 2 rear shackle points instead of keeping the hitch. I have never towed anything with my jeep, don't really plan on it but it is nice to have I guess if I ever were to want to tow something. The only thing I have used the rear hitch for is off road recovery and the shackle points would take care of that. I guess I could keep my rear hitch and mount it later if I wanted to tow something. It would be nice to have a lot more of rear clearance and better departure angle with the new bumper by getting rid of the hitch. What do you guys think?

oddball · **Posted:** Mon Feb 23, 2009 6:00 pm

I have the hidden hitch model and it doesn't appear clearance is a problem being tucked up around the Kilby gas tank skid cover. I have a shackle in the hitch as well. For that matter, I don't foresee towing anything myself but I like the fact it's there should the need arise.

KJ kyle · **Posted:** Mon Feb 23, 2009 6:02 pm

just keep the reciever, and if you ever need to tow anything, throw it on.

Inc · **Posted:** Mon Feb 23, 2009 6:21 pm

Well the new bumper could give me like 5", maybe more, of rear clearance.

The bottom of the new bumper will be somewhere around the bottom of the spare in the pic. The spare tire will end up high up to the passenger side with the top of it close to the top, maybe above the rear glass hatch.

ihatemybike · **Posted:** Mon Feb 23, 2009 6:24 pm

Plus, the receiver is great for bike racks and other hitch racks.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Mon Feb 23, 2009 6:26 pm

Shackles on the new bumper and save the hitch in case you ever Do need to tow.

Inc · **Posted:** Mon Feb 23, 2009 6:27 pm

ihatemybike wrote:

Plus, the receiver is great for bike racks and other hitch racks.

Don't own a bike anymore, plus I never plan on using a rear hitch rack because they kill my rear departure angle as well. I have never been a fan of rear hitch racks.

Inc · **Posted:** Mon Feb 23, 2009 6:28 pm

JJsKJ wrote:

Shackles on the new bumper and save the hitch in case you ever Do need to tow.

That is where I am leaning.

jsc7002 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 23, 2009 6:43 pm

JJsKJ wrote:

Shackles on the new bumper and save the hitch in case you ever Do need to tow.

X2, thats a good idea, I was gonna say just shackles if you never tow.

ShafferNY · **Joined:** Wed Dec 26, 2007 3:51 pm **Posts:** 88

Keep it. You just never know...

Seriously, though. If you're having a custom bumper made, I would just have a receiver incorperated into it.

Inc · **Posted:** Mon Feb 23, 2009 8:12 pm

ShafferNY wrote:

Keep it. You just never know...

Seriously, though. If you're having a custom bumper made, I would just have a receiver incorperated into it.

Sold!

I just got of the line with my guy again and it looks like I will have 2 shackle mounts and a receiver incorporated into the bumper. I hope it turns out OK with the hitch not looking out of place with the round tubing.

cfreelv711 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 24, 2009 1:04 am

IMHO wait to see how it looks with new bumper. Never hurts to have UNLESS it looks goofy or more important hinders aproach angle. Looking forward to seeing new bumper. Kinda like the porta potty attatchment..I'm guessing that was not Harbor Freight :lol:

Inc · **Posted:** Tue Feb 24, 2009 1:38 am

Talked and talked with my bumper guy today and he said he'd prefer to put an integrated hitch into the bumper. He said I should consider doing a plated one and I sent him pics of the RL one to see what he thinks. I am waiting to hear back. I'd be happy with tube or plated. it will also have 2 rear shackles on it as well as the receiver.

socks · **Posted:** Tue Feb 24, 2009 3:28 am

A bit off topic...
The last time I did a vehicle recovery with my receiver mounted hook, the guy I bailed out drove head long into the back of my vehicle's bumper and hitch. Not only did he damage my Rig, he did some serious damage to his front bumper and then had the gall to ask for my insurance papers to "Make a claim against my insurance" Due to the fact that he didn't stop soon enough! ("I had damaged his vehicle by hitting it!)
I told him not to worry about the damage to my Rig and he (I'll quote him here!) I'm coming after the damage you caused to my front bumper!
"Ef" him! I removed my recovery strap from both vehicles, got back into my truck, put her in reverse, gently kissed his bumper and gently pushed him (Once touching, I gave 'er) back into the slop he was stuck in, in the first place.
Then left him there!
Never saw or heard of him again.
BTW, it was not a KJ. Some young punk in an H3.

socks · **Posted:** Tue Feb 24, 2009 3:31 am

Inc wrote:

ShafferNY wrote:

Keep it. You just never know...

Seriously, though. If you're having a custom bumper made, I would just have a receiver incorperated into it.

Sold!

I just got of the line with my guy again and it looks like I will have 2 shackle mounts and a receiver incorporated into the bumper. I hope it turns out OK with the hitch not looking out of place with the round tubing.

Those crappers are way cool!
A good way to keep other people out of your camp site!

meh_kick · **Posted:** Tue Feb 24, 2009 11:32 am

Inc wrote:

Well the new bumper could give me like 5", maybe more, of rear clearance.

The bottom of the new bumper will be somewhere around the bottom of the spare in the pic. The spare tire will end up high up to the passenger side with the top of it close to the top, maybe above the rear glass hatch.

I don't know about you, but I like having the hitch on the back. It keeps the spare tire from getting hung up on ledges.

Inc · **Posted:** Tue Feb 24, 2009 3:22 pm

meh_kick wrote:

Inc wrote:

Well the new bumper could give me like 5", maybe more, of rear clearance.

The bottom of the new bumper will be somewhere around the bottom of the spare in the pic. The spare tire will end up high up to the passenger side with the top of it close to the top, maybe above the rear glass hatch.

I don't know about you, but I like having the hitch on the back. It keeps the spare tire from getting hung up on ledges.

With the design of this bumper the tire will be high enough that getting hung up on it shouldn't be an issue.

Rear Shackle vs Rear Hitch

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