Tow Strap for Front Tow Hooks

[seemore]

What are you guys using to hook a tow strap or chain to the front tow hooks?

It looks is if you connect a chain or strap to the tow hooks you would damage either the bumper or painted fascia!!#@$%! In my opinion their should be some kind of strap to hook on both hooks to pull, instead of pulling just on one hook. The space around my tow hooks look like anything would damage the bumper or fascia. :{

 

[AKaiser]

What are you guys using to hook a tow strap or chain to the front tow hooks?

It looks is if you connect a chain or strap to the tow hooks you would damage either the bumper or painted fascia!!#@$%! In my opinion their should be some kind of strap to hook on both hooks to pull, instead of pulling just on one hook. The space around my tow hooks look like anything would damage the bumper or fascia. :{

My one experience :-laf (no comment on what went on and why) involved a small/medium SUV being removed from a carport. I used a tow strap looped thru the tiedown point on this little Honda SUV and hooked directly into both front tow hooks on my truck. No other equipment is necessary, due to the design. I would think if you wanted to pull a longer distance, two smaller straps and a clevis would do the trick to hook into the truck and tie into the long strap. You would probably want a pair of at least 5 ft. length hookup straps.

 

[InfernoB]

Why do I have a feeling there were some black stipes in the drive... ... ... ... The manual states to use both hooks for emergency removal of a stuck vehicle only, or damage may occur to your vehicle. Someone on here is making spacers to make the hooks stick out further.

 

[wcjp]

I had to get pulled out of some very slick grass. Only used one side. Be sure to use properly rated tow strap. The one I carry in the truck is at least 20k rated. It might be rated at 30k. Also, never use tow straps with metal hooks. If it comes loose the metal hook holds lots of energy.

 

[Crunch]

What are you guys using to hook a tow strap or chain to the front tow hooks?

Just keep in mind what has been stated here many times: The tow hooks are for when you get pulled out of a ditch, not when you are pulling someone else out of a ditch. The reasoning is that the frame isn't designed to pull from the front.

 

[JDerrick]

I agree with AKaiser, two shorter straps and clevis should do just fine for the front, or you could invest in a front tow hitch from Drawtite and use that as a tie up point instead ... ... ... ... ... ... . oh yeah I carry chain and strap in the truck , never know what mess im going to get myself into . possibilities are endless Oo.

 

[AKaiser]

Why do I have a feeling there were some black stipes in the drive... ... ... ... The manual states to use both hooks for emergency removal of a stuck vehicle only, or damage may occur to your vehicle. Someone on here is making spacers to make the hooks stick out further.

None. That requires a certain amount of heat and friction that a 3000 lb ricer just doesn't have at under 5 MPH. I did have to put it in 4WD, or I would've made my own black stripes. The small ricer SUV did make the expected rubber tire squealing, though at a subdued level. Remember that what the company puts out in it's literature is sometimes CYA. These are HD pickups we're talking about. Using the brain God gave us will usually keep us out of trouble, even at 1230 in the morning. :-laf Soccer Moms #@$%!

 

[AKaiser]

Just keep in mind what has been stated here many times: The tow hooks are for when you get pulled out of a ditch, not when you are pulling someone else out of a ditch. The reasoning is that the frame isn't designed to pull from the front.

Riddle me this: So why do they put winches in the front bumper?

 

[BHolm]

Yeah, explain to us how being pulled, or doing the pulling is any different force? The frame can't tell who is doing the pulling, the direction is the same

 

[AMink]

I have a yellow tow strap with the loops, no hook. Also, I heard not to pull backwards because of potential damage to the transmission. Just backing my TT up a hill can be a challenge; I would think that trying to pull something that doesn't want to move would be harder on it. I also have a hook that fits in the rear receiver.

 

[CDonaldson]

They make SHORT straps for putting around trees when winching yourself out, they have loop ends. I used to used them with front tow hooks to prevent any damage to my vehicle. You can get them from most all 4WD/Jeep off-road suppliers.



I quit pulling people out of ditches a long time ago. Leave it to AAA or tow trucks now. I had a friend doing 'good deeds' pulling people out of the snow once, he always had the other person 'hook' their own vehicle, long story short - the other person hooked wrong, hook slipped off, bent something on HIS car, strap hook went through buddy's radiator AND the other guy filed a claim against my buddy's insurance for damages AND got them. Since they CAN be that stupid, and stupid got them stuck, I now just let them call someone else in to get them out. Only one person paying for stupid them, them. Same applies to jump starts, I carry a little jump start pack, but no cables. If the pack won't get someone going, they then need a new battery anyway, let them buy one.



My good deed stuff is now limited to offering them a call for help with my cell phone.



CD

 

[AKaiser]

Shouldn't hurt the transmission if you put the 4WD in low range and don't get carried away. My G56 reverse is pretty darn low geared anyway. I did put the TFC in 4 Low when I pulled the b-h out of my carport, nice and easy. And I got pics for proof of no damage. I also left a note on the vehicle stating as much. No names.

 

[JimB1]

5 ft straps on each tow hook and cleavesed together are a bit short for proper rigging angles. 10 ft long straps make rigging angles that will dramatically reduce tension on each strap for same load pulled.

 

[AKaiser]

5 ft straps on each tow hook and cleavesed together are a bit short for proper rigging angles. 10 ft long straps make rigging angles that will dramatically reduce tension on each strap for same load pulled.

True. I did a scaled drawing of this. The tow hook points are about 4 feet apart. By using 5 ft straps, you get a roughly 67 degree internal angle measured from the truck bumper to either tow hook strap. A 10 foot strap would push the angle much closer to perpendicular at 80 degrees. That would definitely take the strain off the front end, lateral-wise. In some cases, you wouldn't need a very long strap beyond that.

 

[CDonaldson]

When you look at the tow hooks vrs a front box tube receiver, what really makes the difference is the box tube that keeps the frame members from being pulled toward the center, pulling from both tow hooks in essence pulls both sides toward one another. It would be much better to use a front box tube receiver or install something that supports between both of the frame members.



Since reverse is your least used gear, it IS actually the 'tightest' gear in your transmission. When I have pulled something with reverse, I have ALWAYS engaged my transfer case, usually 4HI. I recall an article from a long time ago suggesting using 4X transfer case when pulling in this manner because you want the pull weight as close to a pulling axle as possible. If you hook someone to the front without using your 4X then the distance to the pulling axle is greater and the torque on your vehicle is wrong for the pull, or the efficiency of the pull is incorrect, anyway, sure you get the point about how that could be hard on your vehicle.



CD

 

[TAbbott]

One reason you don't wan't to pull real hard with only one tow hook is that you can diamond the frame (put the rails and crossmenbers out of square to each other). Do that and nothing will be right ever again, regarding axle alignments etc. A good shop may be able to square it up again, but it still won't be like it was before.



Pulling too hard with both hooks tries to squeeze the frame together in the front which isn't good either. The shorter the lines to each hook, of course, the more "squeeze" is applied. So, the best way to pull from the front using the hooks is to use both hooks and use the longest lines possible, within reason.

 

[rbattelle]

Just my opinion...

The reason I don't want to pull someone from the front is the helix angle on my axle gears are mostly for going forward.

Applying loads of torque in reverse is not good for them, in my opinion.

So it's perfectly fine to pull your vehicle from the front using another vehicle (barring frame issues as others covered), but not good to pull other people using your front hooks.

Ryan

 

[Crunch]

I'm glad others had the good answer to this, because I didn't know for sure. I just remember reading a few threads about this back in `03 or `04. But I bet those tow hooks would be great for attaching a rappel rope and dropping down some sink holes.

 

[betterthanstock]

The reason I don't want to pull someone from the front is the helix angle on my axle gears are mostly for going forward.

yup. The loads on differential gears, are backwards. But for pulling out a smaller vehicle, no problem. If you can back up hill a 15K trailer, well you get the idea. Just don't jerk the transmission. Apply slow and steady, take up the slack, and no damage will be done.



If you snap the tow strap, it can do some cosmetic damage to your front.

 

[donnier]

I dont trust the web type tow straps.

Ill use them if I have to but

Id rather use 3/8 chain my self.

Yea, its overkill, but I dont want something snapping and crashing thru my windows.