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The cult of Jeep drivers can seem confusing from the outside. Like, how does a “Jeep Wave” differ from a regular wave? What counts as “A Jeep thing?” And how in the world do you “duck” another Jeep driver? One secret code non-Jeep-drivers may be completely unaware of is the color of the tow hooks in a Wrangler’s bumper.

First and foremost, what is a tow hook? The big metal hook attached to the front or rear bumper of many trucks and SUVs. Like the name implies, they are the hooks you attach a rope or chain to if you need to tow another vehicle out of a sticky situation–or if someone needs to tow you.

Orange tow hooks in the bumper of a Jeep Gladiator Mojave pickup truck
Jeep Gladiator Mojave | Stellantis

Because tow hooks are such a symbol of off road adventure–and the Wrangler lifestyle–Jeep has begun painting them bright colors. This sets the very top trim Wranglers apart and gives those drivers a bit of bragging rights among their Jeep friends.

Jeep Wrangler Rubicons have red tow hooks

This tradition all started with the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Jeep first introduced this off-road-ready trim in 2003. It is one of the only vehicles around which features “lockers” in the front and rear axles–a popular aftermarket feature that prevents one wheel from spinning out of control on a slippery trail. It’s named for the Rubicon off-road trail in California. And the Jeep Rubicon wears bright red tow hooks like a badge of honor.

Jeep Gladiator Mojaves have orange tow hooks

When Jeep stretched the Wrangler into its Gladiator pickup truck, it offered a “Rubicon” version of the Gladiator with the same locking differentials and suspension upgrades as the Wrangler Rubicon. But it also engineered an all-new top-trim truck. The Mojave is not engineered for the low-speed rock crawling the Rubicon trail requires. It has long-travel suspension for high-speed desert racing (similar to the Ford F-150 Raptor and Ram 1500 TRX). You can tell the Gladiator Mojave by its bright orange tow hooks.

Jeep Wrangler 392s have gold tow hooks

Most Jeeps have V6 engines, some have turbocharged I4s. But for a brief moment, Jeep offered special version with a 392-cubic–inch Hemi V8 crammed into its engine bay. This is the big Hemi, used in heavy-duty Ram trucks and Scat Pack Dodges. It’s only available on the Rubicon, so this Jeep Wrangler’s full name was the Rubicon 392. But unlike other Rubicons, it had gold tow hooks.

Jeep 4xe hybrids have blue tow hooks

For some reason the automotive industry has agreed that hybrid vehicles should all have blue trim to advertise their futuristic powertrains. When Jeep introduced a plug-in hybrid Wrangler, it added some blue badging and–you guessed it–bright blue tow hooks. As the automaker has rolled out the 4xe powertrain in multiple models, it has stuck with the blue tow hooks as a uniquely “Jeep” call out.

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.