Tow Hooks...What are They For?

[Hawkeyes3312]

Okay, I am just looking for clarification on the use of tow hooks. I've never needed to be recovered in any of my Jeeps and I, also, do not do any hard core off-roading. I recently purchased a couple of shackle hitch receiver sets and a few ARB snatch straps just in case. That being said, as I read the literature that ARB supplies, they indicate to NEVER use tow hooks for any kind of recovery. What are they for? Look cool? I understand the dangers of recovery, I just thought they could be used for 'something'?!?! I was thinking that you could, potentially, move objects on a trail, etc. but what am I missing? In any case, I hope to never need any of the items I've purchased for recovery. Thanks in advance for helping me out!

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[Mr._Bill]

As I understand it, tow hooks are for pulling items that are mobile, but have lost power. It doesn't take a lot to get something moving when it is sitting on all wheels.

Recovery is a lot more complex. You're dealing with something that is stuck, and requires a lot of force to move. The tow hooks are not really intended for that type of use.

 

[obrianmcc]

I think it is more of a liability disclosure as rigging can slip from the tow hooks if not used properly. A closed system during recovery using shackles etc is always preferred.

 

[redrider]

They are used to assist less capable(all others) vehicles extricate themselves from potholes, speed humps and other urban situations.

 

[steve68]

I have used them for pulling tree stumps, you just have to be smarter than an open hook, to avoid strap/rope/chain/wire cable from slippage/slipping out,

 

[Factoid]

I don’t know about other vehicles, but on a Jeep you can use them to uproot sequoia trees, tear down skyscrapers, pull disabled freight trains and stop the rotation of the earth. And that is just before lunch.

Your results may vary.

 

[LostWoods]

As others have said, they're not recovery rated. They're designed for you to take up the slack until taut, then do a static pull. If you want to do a running snatch pull, you'll want the hitch block and shackle it sounds like you bought or, barring that, you can stuff the end of the snatch strap into the receiver hitch and secure it with the hitch pin. Benefit of the block and shackle is that you're less likely to damage it on the edge of the receiver hole on an angled pull.

For front recoveries, your best bet will be an aftermarket bumper with shackle mounts or replacing the hooks with something closed and recovery rated. Not sure if anyone is doing hooks yet but even a $300 Quadratec bumper would get the job done.

 

[Hawkeyes3312]

For front recoveries, your best bet will be an aftermarket bumper with shackle mounts or replacing the hooks with something closed and recovery rated. Not sure if anyone is doing hooks yet but even a $300 Quadratec bumper would get the job done.

I have a Rubicon (steel bumper); what if I don't want to swap it out?

 

[XJADDICTION]

Many things, for me though it is often for this...

And, it is so nice that they are actual hooks and not a ring that you have to thread bolts through!

 

[LostWoods]

I have a Rubicon (steel bumper); what if I don't want to swap it out?

You'll have to go with aftermarket options. Warn makes some recovery points that connect at the frame below the bumper but you'll have to cut the bumper for clearance. Nobody to my knowledge does replacement hooks that are closed and even if they did, I think you'd still be cutting because a ring isn't going to fit easily through that hole in the bumper.

Othwerwise, you can likely sell that bumper for more than enough to cover an aftermarket replacement.

 

[Hawkeyes3312]

You'll have to go with aftermarket options. Warn makes some recovery points that connect at the frame below the bumper but you'll have to cut the bumper for clearance. Nobody to my knowledge does replacement hooks that are closed and even if they did, I think you'd still be cutting because a ring isn't going to fit easily through that hole in the bumper.

Othwerwise, you can likely sell that bumper for more than enough to cover an aftermarket replacement.

DOH! That bums me out. I like the bumper and don't want to 'alter' it. I, honestly, don't think I need the front recovery points, I was just looking to have an 'insurance plan' if I ever did.

 

[Zacfrac]

DOH! That bums me out. I like the bumper and don't want to 'alter' it. I, honestly, don't think I need the front recovery points, I was just looking to have an 'insurance plan' if I ever did.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/shackle-mounts-for-front-rubicon-bumper.5043/

Here’s a whole post going into this on the JL forum, it’s not as much modifying as you’d think, but when I ran into thinking about doing it I ended up selling my bumper and getting after market, because once you get done adding the winch plate and the shackle points you’re spending as much as a lot of after market bumpers, and in my case I didn’t love the factory steel bumper enough to do that.

 

[whiteglad]

The two basic limitations of the factory hooks are 1. they don't have latches to positively retain the strap, and 2. they are on corners, not the center of the frame structure. For recovery I prefer the receiver hitch (I added the Drawtite hitch in front), although being careful that the strap cannot slip out, you could first run a strap between the two hooks at the front or rear. I reversed the directions of my rear hooks so they are solid toward the center--if I connect them with a strap, it can't slip off so easily.

 

[LostWoods]

The two basic limitations of the factory hooks are 1. they don't have latches to positively retain the strap, and 2. they are on corners, not the center of the frame structure. For recovery I prefer the receiver hitch (I added the Drawtite hitch in front), although being careful that the strap cannot slip out, you could first run a strap between the two hooks at the front or rear. I reversed the directions of my rear hooks so they are solid toward the center--if I connect them with a strap, it can't slip off so easily.

Be very careful with a front hitch. Curt and Draw-Tite were the only options when I looked and both were rated for a 9k straight-line pull. That means any deviation from dead center in any direction reduces that amount and that rating is already less than most 3/4" shackles generally known to have a massive safety factor. Your weak point in a snatch recovery is literally bolted to your frame.

 

[ilmostro]

I hooked the dog's leash on mine with the JKUR

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