2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Question about getting my truck towed...

[wlowe]

So I've owned my truck for almost fifteen years now and, knock on wood, have never had to have it towed. I decided long ago that if I ever do have it towed it is going to be by putting it on a flat bed tow truck. Looking at the front of my truck I don't see any good hookup points to winch my truck onto the tow truck. If they hook to the axle it looks like the cable will hit the bumper valance and cause damage. Same thing with hooking up to the frame. I do have a DSS but I really don't want to hook to that, plus it will still interfere with the bumper. So anybody have any suggestions. The OEM tow hooks from Dodge are no longer available and for the cost I could get a front mount receiver hitch, which I am considering. I created another post to get some info on different brands of front hitches. Am I overthinking this, is there some way that these tow truck drivers have to snatch your truck with no damage? In the near future I plan on making a couple of long distance trips and need to get this figured out, thanks for any help.

 

[BarryG]

Not much help but been flat bed towed twice. First time (13years ago) had a non stock bumper and don't recall a problem except the flat bed was too short. Truck barely and I mean barely fit. Only had to go less than a mile. Second time was just a few weeks ago. Non stock bumper again, flat bed was plenty long enough but I had no steering, tie rod snapped so it was on cockeyed and again barely on the left rear tire was just barely on only had to go 2 miles or so. Both times they hooked to the axle. They extended the flat bed to just short of the front tires and am thinking that by the time the cable got high the truck was starting to ride up the flat bed alleviating that issue. Again I had a non stock front bumper though both times. Might be worth a call to a flatbed towing company and ask them if they have issues.

 

[Nigel]

I don't have a truck here to look at but from memory place a piece of 4x4 across the frame horns and run the winch line underneath. If you have a bed cover don't let them load the truck backwards. I had to look at the dent in the hood for six years until I sold my truck last year.

Nigel

 

[JR]

I've used my tow hooks so many times I'd be lost without them lol. Call around to your local junkyards. The 3/4 ton and 1 ton gassers should have the same hooks.

 

[wlowe]

Not much help but been flat bed towed twice. First time (13years ago) had a non stock bumper and don't recall a problem except the flat bed was too short. Truck barely and I mean barely fit. Only had to go less than a mile. Second time was just a few weeks ago. Non stock bumper again, flat bed was plenty long enough but I had no steering, tie rod snapped so it was on cockeyed and again barely on the left rear tire was just barely on only had to go 2 miles or so. Both times they hooked to the axle. They extended the flat bed to just short of the front tires and am thinking that by the time the cable got high the truck was starting to ride up the flat bed alleviating that issue. Again I had a non stock front bumper though both times. Might be worth a call to a flatbed towing company and ask them if they have issues.

Thanks for the info BarryG. So why didn't the tow truck hook to your DOR bumper, I've heard they are plenty strong. You're right, I probably should talk with a tow company to see about any issues.

 

[wlowe]

I don't have a truck here to look at but from memory place a piece of 4x4 across the frame horns and run the winch line underneath. If you have a bed cover don't let them load the truck backwards. I had to look at the dent in the hood for six years until I sold my truck last year.

Nigel

That's a good idea using a 4X4 under the frame, I'll have to climb under there and see how it looks. So I'm assuming that your truck was being towed backwards and the wind caught your bed cover and blew it over the cab and damaged your hood??

 

[BarryG]

I have no idea. They both just went right under the truck and tossed a hook on the axle. Perhaps they don't want to worry about any more potential collateral damage than is necessary and the axle is a safe place. On a truck probably easier than most vehicles they have to hook to. My Golf has a little plastic piece (less than 2 inches in diameter) you have to pop out of the bumper then screw in a little eye bolt that is in the glove box for them to hook to. Never needed to use it but seems questionable though the thing only weighs around 2900 lbs compared to 7500ish for the truck.

 

[Nigel]

I think you are worrying about nothing. When I was towing we had a great incentive plan to not damage vehicles, a $2500 deductible on our insurance policy. And if you did CAA/AAA work they mediated any disputes and they were very member friendly.

Nigel

 

[JMarhofke]

A good tow truck operator knows where, and how to hook up any vehicle w/o damage. They also know that damage can be caused to some vehicles that are loaded on the deck rear first. From mini vans, trucks with caps/toppers, or some type of bed covers. There are places designed on vehicles for "pulling" or "tie down" points, or the axles can be used. Most don't like using the front tow hooks for winching onto a carrier since the closer it gets to the winch the down angle increases. As others have said, don't worry about and let the operator do the job he has been trained for.