Tow hooks

[daveshoe]

Does anyone have any info and pricing on tow hooks for a 3500 ? I would also consider a front end receiver hitch and put in my own tow hook. This is my first Dodge [3500 long wb cab/chassis] and I must say Iwas suprised at the lack of tow hooks on a 4WD . Truck is a 2002. Thanks!

 

[Mingoglia]

I am also very surprised Dodge doesn't through in the tow hooks on our trucks. I have a '01 3500 that I added the factory tow hooks to. I believe I paid $150 w/tax for them. The price is quite steep, but they're extremely beefy. Part of the cost is for the bracket that mounts to the frame. When I bought these hooks I was very surprised how heavy the box was... there's a lot of hardware that makes up the kit. I actually think that this was about the only thing I've every bought for a dealer that was probably reasonably priced for what I got. This of course is my opinion.



When you install the factory hooks, you will either have to remove or make holes in your air dam (assuming you have one). The outlines for the holes are molded into the plastic and I just used a dremel tool to cut out the openings, rough sand, and then followed it up with some regular sand paper. You literally can't tell it didn't com standard.



In case you haven't seen, the tow hooks look like a much beefier version of the tow hooks that come on Chevy's (atleast the old body style like my brother-in-laws '97 Tahoe). If you've ever seen the Ram 1500's with the off-road package they look exactly like that with the exception of they're much thicker.

 

[BigYellowIron]

I made some and welded them straight to the frame. I know that your not susposed to weld to the frame. But if done right I see no problem with it.



I have a templet is anyone would be interested.



I just have a 2. 5 inch hole in mine, thats bigenough to get a 3/8 chain hook through. If i did it again I would drill a 1inch hole in it and put a schackle it it. it would look better.



I used 3/4 inch steel for the "hooks"



Adam

 

[Mallory]

I would be interested in getting a copy of that template! I have spent some time under my truck trying to come up with a way to attach some hooks but things are so clustered behind the bumper I gave up. thanks Brian Mallory

 

[daveshoe]

Thanks for the help

thanks for the fast replies on the tow hooks , guys. I think I will look at the factory unit because there does not appear to be much meat to fasten things to without a special bracket. It never occured to me that dodge made tow hooks if they weren't included with a 4x4. Does anyone know about a front receiver tube??

 

[98rammer]

if you look in my pics, you'll see that my truck has chevy tow hooks on the front. they're welded into the frame with brackets so that i can take them off. haven't been able to use them yet...

btw, i got them free from a friend, and my dad's a welder, so what the heck...

 

[EShaw]

receiver tube/front hitch

Daveshoe,

Drawtite makes a front mount receiver for our trucks.

Eric

 

[Crazy Horse]

Here is a set.

 

[BV]

Front Mount Hitch

Go with a front mount hitch - You can use it to pull or push with and it holds a bike rack or winch and you can make a step or use a cargo hauler as a service platform when changing oil and such.



They are about the same cost as a Dodge set of hooks and I like the idea of pulling from both frame horns instead of one.



Oh - Forgot to mention that you can park trailers with it as well - As long as the tongue weigh isn't to heavy.

 

[Mingoglia]

I have the factory tow hooks, but I pondered the idea of getting the hitch for the very reason of being able to use it to back my trailer. My trailer has about a 1300lb tongue weight... I had visions of the a$$ end of my truck liftingup in the air so I said the heck with it and just got the tow hooks.