Front tow hooks
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New User
Joined: Apr 2013
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Front tow hooks
Was pulling a stump out yesterday with the truck using the front tow hooks, and while it worked pretty well (was largely limited by wheel traction, but after cutting a couple roots, we got it) - I did notice that the hook was bending down some every time the truck loaded the chain. The chain was at about a 10 degree rise from horizontal, so was largely a horizontal force - but my question is... how strong are those hooks? Was I just being overly concerned that I would bend/break it, or was I really at risk of damaging something?
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 272
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From: SW Missouri
I run a front hitch with a winch mount in it. I have pulled trucks, trees,boulders you name it. The hooks themselves are cast and might break with impact but I doubt they would fail before pulling the bolts out. With the front hitch installed, the mounts seem stronger as there is more metal sandwiched with the bolts. Not exactly the answer but just my thoughts.
Posting Legend
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 30,221
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From: Central Illinois
I run a front hitch with a winch mount in it. I have pulled trucks, trees,boulders you name it. The hooks themselves are cast and might break with impact but I doubt they would fail before pulling the bolts out. With the front hitch installed, the mounts seem stronger as there is more metal sandwiched with the bolts. Not exactly the answer but just my thoughts.
-The Great
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 257
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From: Altoona, PA
Those hooks have a bit of an angle from the factory. They are plenty strong. I would say that something else would give way...like a bolt to the hooks before you bend those hooks...they are that strong.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,180
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From: Georgia
I believe the '99 and '00s are cast and the '01s and above are forged.....
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I guess my question wasn't how strong the actual hooks were, but how much you can pull before you break something. With any design if you pull hard enough SOMETHING will give... I'm just hoping it's something cheap in the line that breaks. Given that... I'd almost prefer the hooks themselves (or perhaps the mounting bolts) to give way before the frame does.
Has anybody ever done frame damage (or any damage) by pulling too hard on the hooks?
Has anybody ever done frame damage (or any damage) by pulling too hard on the hooks?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Mount Royal, NJ
The frame will give first.
You could do frame damage pulling too hard. The three bolts that hold the tow hooks on are also the front bolts that hold on the front spring hanger. Given a strong enough pull, the most probable effect would be to bend amd elongate the frame at the end.
You could do frame damage pulling too hard. The three bolts that hold the tow hooks on are also the front bolts that hold on the front spring hanger. Given a strong enough pull, the most probable effect would be to bend amd elongate the frame at the end.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 658
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From: Parker, CO
You might also consider the transmission or drive train going first. I've seen it happen. Pulling a tree stump is a brutal thing to ask a vehicle to do.
I like the winch idea. Better to break a winch or cable than your drive train.
I like the winch idea. Better to break a winch or cable than your drive train.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL
The frame will give first.
You could do frame damage pulling too hard. The three bolts that hold the tow hooks on are also the front bolts that hold on the front spring hanger. Given a strong enough pull, the most probable effect would be to bend amd elongate the frame at the end.
You could do frame damage pulling too hard. The three bolts that hold the tow hooks on are also the front bolts that hold on the front spring hanger. Given a strong enough pull, the most probable effect would be to bend amd elongate the frame at the end.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Parker, CO
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 257
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From: Altoona, PA
I guess my question wasn't how strong the actual hooks were, but how much you can pull before you break something. With any design if you pull hard enough SOMETHING will give... I'm just hoping it's something cheap in the line that breaks. Given that... I'd almost prefer the hooks themselves (or perhaps the mounting bolts) to give way before the frame does.
Has anybody ever done frame damage (or any damage) by pulling too hard on the hooks?
Has anybody ever done frame damage (or any damage) by pulling too hard on the hooks?
Put something in the middle of your chain or tow strap(if its a tow strap with hooks)..even if its a shirt or towel...something. If that lets loose it helps keep the sling shot effect to a minimum.
I would also like to mention that using a tow strap will have a much less chance of something giving at any location. A cinch strap has a bit of a snapping effect...not much but much more so than a straight chain. A chain has no give and 100 percent of the pressure/pulling is at the anchor points.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,923
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From: Sacramento Area
Here is a shot of the front hitch adapter installed. My 2000 only had 2 bolts holding the front bumper on for each side (the outer 2). The hitch adapter added 2 bolts to each side (to more securely hold the hitch adapter on).
Those bolts had nothing to do with the hooks (loops), but I can see how having 4 bolts holding the frame flange to the bumper - and subsequently the hitch adapter sandwitched between - would help stiffen the front flanges on the frame (hopefully helping prevent any bending when pulling).
Anyone going this route will lose their driving lights - but you can put a set of Rigid LED 4x4's in there and they are WAY brighter:
Those bolts had nothing to do with the hooks (loops), but I can see how having 4 bolts holding the frame flange to the bumper - and subsequently the hitch adapter sandwitched between - would help stiffen the front flanges on the frame (hopefully helping prevent any bending when pulling).
Anyone going this route will lose their driving lights - but you can put a set of Rigid LED 4x4's in there and they are WAY brighter: