Recovery: Its Inevitable When You Drive Like Me

So, in the latest installment in my gripping series about a clueless new Tacoma owner, I turn to the issue of recovery. I used to drive a jeep and had to get myself out of some muddy or sandy messes. Back then I used a winch, but now need to think about what to do with the Tacoma.

My first and most basic question is about the OEM tow point. According to the owner's manual, it is the loop on the driver's side of the underside of the bumper (I have a '16 SR5). Is this really strong enough for getting my truck moving out of, say, mud or sand using a come along type manual hoist? They (Toyota) seem to put a lot of hesitation around towing with it.

If not, is there a recommended aftermarket recovery point?

I am also thinking about the winch route. I prefer a hidden winch approach if possible. Is there some kind of winch/mount combo for which folks have good experience?


That said, I am not sold on a winch. They are heavy (I am a little worried it might lower the front end), can break, etc. I would probably rather make the come along work if possible (it is lighter, simpler, etc.). I have noticed many of the trucks you see on this forum don't appear to have them, and I can't help but wonder why, given how much expedition, trail riding, crawling, etc. I suspect happens. What are the thoughts on winches on the Tacoma?

Thanks again for your insights.

 

Front 2” receiver hitch, bolts to the frame, a lot of members have done it, doesn’t hand down more than the air dam, cost about $130.

 

It looks like this goes under the bumper, correct? So perhaps the only casualty of it might be the front air dam (which I plan to remove anyway)? Thanks.

 

You can actually trim the air dam and leave it on if you want. I just took it off.

That’s not my truck I couldn’t get a good pic, my truck is inside to front of garage.

It’s a very affordable upgrade and you can put a portable winch in the 2” receiver and also in the back if you have the rear tow package.

 

If you want a better option other then a winch, check out the more power puller.

 

I’ve always wondered about these, can you (one person) actually pull a 4500lb rig out of mud with them for say 50 feet?

 

I did once pull a woman's truck (F250? but maybe I am recalling wrong) out of a mud ditch with a come along (that was all she had and I came upon her in my Camry with basically no equipment on board). But I recall it was pretty hard and I am a pretty big dude (6'3" and could probably bench 350 back then) so I think smaller folks might have had a very hard time. But then again I was no expert on come alongs and might have done stupid things that made my life harder.

 

I know the more power puller I have with 35 foot of synthetic rope will. Just going to take you a little time doing it.

 

Would you guys trust that OEM tow point?

 

I would because your not jerking on it

 

Yes it’s bolted to your frame

 

I don’t think the loop on the drivers side is a recovery point. On 2nd gens that is only a tie down point. There should another hook on the pass side.


US Offroad. Winch bumper. Not as heavy as a full on winch bumper.

 

Well, the manual identifies the loop on the driver's side as the "tow point".

 

Love my winch. I've used it many times, and not just for recovery. Had to move a few trees that would have been impossible otherwise. You can get a low profile aluminum front bumper and winch with synthetic line, and that combo will only weight around 90 lbs and also have stout recovery points.

http://sosoffroadconcepts.com/2016-tacoma-streamline-front-winch-bumper/

 

https://www.bpfabricating.com/products/tacoma-recovery-tow-hook

 

@Mobtown Offroad Recovery Bar is where I spent my money on!

 

Note that their definition of tow != recovery. It may hold up but I wouldn't want to depend on it. The TRD-OR and Pro have a somewhat usable recovery hook on the passenger side but still isn't for anything hardcore. ARB does make a bad ass recovery point that actually ties back into the frame, unlike everything else offered but it's pricey.

 

A buddy of mine had an old K5 blazer with 35's on it. He buried it in the mud one night to the frame screwing around. We were all in high school and my dad had a couple chain hoists and a bunch of chain. So we borrowed a 20 ton chain hoist and lost of chain and very very slowly pulled his K5 out by way of chain hoist attached to a huge pine tree. My ab muscle were sore for about a week after that. It took about an hour of pulling on the chain to get him out.

 

Yes. Also if you want the ultimate recovery tool, spend your money smarter and go take some off road driving lessons. Get stuck less.
Remember it's 90% driver and 10% vehicle performance. Save money, learn to drive.

 

Well, I can drive offroad, in a jeep at least (most of the time I needed a winch in the old days I was pushing it and knew it and just decided "fuck it; let's roll the dice and I'll just winch if I lose"). But a few times it was just pretty much unavoidable. But now, years later, I will have a 9 year old co-pilot, so I will definitely need a 100% recovery system.

For instance, earlier this year I was driving in a friend's Subaru legacy. We were on a decent national forest road in Virginia. As we rounded a corner, the portion of the road supporting the rear driver side wheel just gave out. It has looked the same as the entire track to that point and like all that followed (probably 5 miles total). But it must have just washed out below ground over time on a funny seam and it gave out. Now, we were able to extricate ourselves from that situation without too much ado but it shows that sometimes stuff just happens. No matter how good you are.

(I will say though that I am being extra cautious in thinking about recovery. In that incident earlier this year I am not even sure I would have noticed in this new Taco beast lol.)