What is everyones thoughts on the IBIS TEK medium duty tow bar?

[racingjoe66]

What is everyones thoughts or opinion on the IBIS TEK medium duty 44,000 lbs tow bar kits? I am looking at using it for my hmmwv to pull my jeep kaiser or vice versa about 20 miles round trip on mostly flat ground.

 

[1 Patriot-of-many]

I've got one, never used it yet. I don't know if I want to try 44K with it....The legs don't look all that sturdy, I wouldn't see pulling a hmmwv or jeep as a problem though.

 

[aleigh]

I got scared off them by the stories of them breaking - just google around - and ended up getting the older GP medium that the IBIS TEK replaced, the one that weighs a million lbs. Have had no problems with it.

 

[FloridaAKM]

I have one & would use it to tow my Deuce or LMTV with no worries, anything bigger would make me use the medium Oskosh towbar for my peace of mind.

 

[Coffey1]

I would use one to pull the HEMTT.
This has been discussed in another thread and been discussed some are afraid of it because someone posted a picture of one they destroyed the one my friend has pulled several 923s and LMTV with absolutely no problems.
Use it right and it will treat you right and get your truck home.

 

[racingjoe66]

I have read some of the stories and seen pics one that was destroyed. the one that was destroyed looked different than the one I am looking at getting and what I could tell was an older (tan) model and then they updated to the black one that was suppose to be stronger.

Thanks for the input guys. I think for what I am going to do I will be fine useing it to pull either one home from mudding or if one breaks down. I liked it caused it collapsed and didn't weigh a ton and wouldn't obstruct my view for the DOT to scream about.

I think what I got from most of the reading I did on them was to make sure it was locked into place when pulled out or that is when people ran into trouble with them breaking

 

[86humv]

Ground off alittle on the steel feet from the real heavy tow bar system.Then those feet fit good on the 44k ibistek.

 

[my69camaro]

I just bought a 2012 dated complete kit new in crate for $299 on evilbay. Hope to use it this weekend to drag my non runner from my parents house to mine. From what I've read the black medium bars didn't have the issues with breaking.

 

[racingjoe66]

my69camaro-----I take it you got that from the guy in WI that is selling them? How does it look?

 

[parklandtrans]

You 100% correct....all I had to do was machine approx..150 -.200 off and it works perfectly. As the other thread stated..." If you treat it right it will take care of you and treat you right"...very well put..!! Yes, I bought my 44k tow kit from the guy in Wisconsin...as far as I'm concerned this guy is as solid as the come...has ALWAYS treated me very well. In fact, last week we were both so busy with things going on in our lives, he sent me an item I won at an auction before I even knew I won the auction...let alone pay for it...!! So I'm looking at this $300.00 + HMMWV Item sitting on my doorstep not knowing I won the auction and for sure knowing I didn't pay for it...his reply was" I Trust you" ...send me payment when you get a chance..!! Solid guy in my book..

 

[racingjoe66]

Nice! Sounds like a super great guy! I plan on using mine when I get one to tow my HMMWV with my 1967 Jeep Kaiser when I go off roading and its only a 20 mile or so round trip or tow the Kaiser with the HMMWV as it is mostly flat ground. Will see how it goes. And the $299 he sells them for seems like a super great deal!

 

[parklandtrans]

​It is an obsolutly awesome COMPLETE quality Tow kit that comes with more adapters then you'll ever use..!! Dharpe82 is eBay handle and my advice is to get one before there gone..!! Please look picture in post #7, these are the tow bar feet you will require. 3/4 " pin dia at the shackle hook up point and 1" at the ibis tek tow bar end. Again, remember you must remove enough material so tow bar feet slide right into tow bar connection point (approx .150-.200 material removal)

Bob

 

[racingjoe66]

Thanks again Bob! removal of some material is no problem

 

[parklandtrans]

Joe,
I had my friend at the Machine shop remove the required amount of material, using the right machine shop equipment made it look like it came right from the factory..!!..that's the way you want all of your stuff to look like...100% OEM..!!!
Bob

 

[racingjoe66]

I have a friend that works @ a tool & die place, so I will most likely have him machine it off for me like you did. Be a lot better than I could do at home with a grinder that's for sure, lol