Custom flat tow setup for Raptor

[johndjmix]

Bought an RV, its located in Florida. With all this corona going on i didnt want to fly down to get it! So i decided to take my raptor with my roof-top tent for the trip. I will stay in the tent at night until i get to florida and pickup the RV.

Current owner of the RV has a blue-ox towbar thats included in the sale. So i check blue-ox web site and they have a bracket for the Raptor, but it requires you remove the tow hooks and install their "gay" (sorry blue-ox) looking brackets. You need to drill into the frame and the install looks involved enough that swaping back to the tow hooks would be a PITA!

I thought, why not build a bracket that attaches to the front tow hooks. Upon investigation i found blue ox did make one like that for the expedition...but not the raptor. I took a look at their design and basically used that to fab this up.

I used my CNC to cut some pucks out of 1/2" Steel that fit inside the tow loops perfectly. Used a 5/8" grade 8 bolt on each side to fasten to the tow loops.

I used a 1/4" thick section of 2.5" square tube and some 1/4" plate for the rest.

I purchased an adapter for around $60 that is made to adapt a different brand of tow bar mount to the blue ox tow bar, this adapter is basically a nice flat mounting plate. I bolted this to my 2.5" square tube.

Came out mint! Now i can simply remove a few bolts and take the setup off the truck.

 

[johndjmix]

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[johndjmix]

Let me know what you guys think. If there is enough interest we (Wild Power Sports) might start producing them.

--John

 

[kpecks]

your pics are not showing up. you need to change the permission setting.

 

[johndjmix]

I think i fixed the picture permissions, you guys should be able to see them now.

 

[dave_g]

Looks good- I did not like taking the factory tow hooks off- when i added my tow bar set up. I will say at the time- I was impressed how much stronger the bracket was then the factory tow hooks- but your set up looks really nice and will load both hood at the same time.

I would have bought one.

What are you doing for aux breaks in the raptor? I use a Delta Force portable break unit- works well.

 

[johndjmix]

Not putting a braking system on it yet, Im not sure I will tow it much....but in case i ever do i have the setup...

--John

 

[MEIRONMAN207]

I have a GEN 1. ¿I'm guessing the dimensions between the tow hooks are the same, for a GEN 1 vs GEN 2? And if not, couldn't tell from the pic, but are the pucks adjustable? I also have a Toyota LC FJ60 that coincidentally, I added a set of Tow hooks same location from a 2004 Expedition we had (Family wagon). So, it would be great to able to use the setup to tow the LC also....Lastly, what price are you shooting for to sell them at? I'm in on a set if they fit my needs.

 

[gopher870]

Nice job. I'd buy one if I was in a flat tow situation.

 

[johndjmix]

Probably around $550. Thats what roadmaster sells theirs for, and im sure getting everything cut will cost a bunch for these:

Pucks (3/4" steel)
Ascetic changes to make it more "pretty".
Our own front plate (This one uses on i bought and bolted to the tube).
Changing holes to slots to allow for slight differences between trucks.
Safety cable's included. These will need to be rated for the trucks weight.
Insurance from our insurance company (Since this is a product that could cause injury or death to others if it was to break)

--John