Front recovery point

Thank you, I'll do that.

 

I’ve been looking at slim bumpers without the winch, for my gen2 usoffroad - gen3 SSO’s with the bullbar is my favorite

https://www.usoffroad.us/store/bump...-2012-2015/tacoma-2012-15-winch-mount-bumper/ - a tad more $ but added function

 

I like it but.........., by having a receiver tube on both the front and the rear I can mount a winch by using a cradle in both places and that was kind of what I was going for. Once I figure out how to securely mount an auxiliary receiver tube in the bed I can keep it under cover out of the elements and reduce the risk of theft when not in use. Having one dual purpose winch is my main goal. I like it though, it just doesn't satisfy my needs.
Curious. Any cutting or welding needed with that setup or is it a direct bolt on mount/bumper?

 

Watching the Southern Style Offroad video it appears to be a bolt on, just cut the bumper cover of course. I contacted them, Margen, indicated they provide a receiver hitch option for $99, see link. What I like about them is the added front protection, dual recovery points, lighter weight, and clean factoryish look. I hadn't even thought of the dual receiver hitch idea which would be better for me as well - thanks for opening my eyes to that. Sadly, I first thought of getting one for the look and adding lights not true functionality. I think the 3rd gens integrate a bit better but the gen2 still look great to me, plus it's what I drive. I hope they would do it for gen2s as well as they are made per order.

https://www.southernstyleoffroad.com/product/2016-tacoma-slimline-hybrid-bumper-custom-order/

 

I believe the little hook in the back is just for shipping tie-down point. When I removed my Front passenger hook for painting at 5000 miles, I noticed a rusty scuff mark on the small hook since they probably used it during original shipping.

 

Thanks! Sounds believable.

 

I swapped my passenger side tie down bracket with this 10,000lbs load, closing hook.

 

Yes, these are strictly shipping tie down points. I have (UNFORTUNATELY) had to use mine for a mild recovery... and it held... but it was a light tug while under constant tension... anything harder (lets say a good 'jerk') and this thing is a goner. Unfortunately aftermarket is crazy expensive. Might as well just save that $$$ towards a bumper with integrated tie points!

 

Lots of talk of the point failing, and nobody that has experienced am actual failure...

 

Mine didn't full fail, but from a light 'tow' to help me out of a snow section it definitely bent.... so there is that 'real world experience' you are looking for.

 

Bent sideways, or deformed/elongated?

 

Just bent, it wasn't that hard of a 'tug'! Lol

 

The way I see it, there are 3 different things being discussed here. Tie down points, tow points, and recovery points. As far as I can tell, Toyota doesn't put recovery points on their vehicles.

I'm not sure I'd really trust ANY factory supplied hook or loop to an actual recovery off-road.

Just like those skid plates on your truck are called "deflectors" in the manual, those aren't recovery points, they're tow hooks.

 

So what’s the most cost effective way to add recovery points to the front of the vehicle?

Is getting a shackle hitch receiver sufficient for most minor recoveries for the rear end?

Thanks!

 

https://factor55.com/product/hitchlink/

i like these if you dont have a steel rear bumper with recovery points

 

Probably the boot on recovery point posted on page 1 here. I haven't seen much cheaper. Personally I like the mobtown front receiver

 

This thing right here? https://www.bpfabricating.com/products/tacoma-recovery-tow-hook
Just confirming!

 

Yes, a hitch receiver for the rear is great. There are cheaper options than the factor 55, however. In a pinch, you can just use a hitch pin in the hitch receiver with a strap.

For the front there are some kits for a front hitch, but most I’ve seen hang pretty low, and not great for off road clearance. There are some bolt on recovery points that replace the stock tow hook locations. For a “mild” recovery, the stock tow hooks should work fine,

Ideally, you want something that can disperse the load between each side of the frame, rather than focus all the load on one side, so that means a bumper.

 

That's the one.

And I agree with ^^ the only front receiver i like that isn't a full on bumper is the mobtown one

 

Thank you all.

Any opinions/feedback/experience with the [made in China] Rhino USA rear hitch point and strap I’m seeing on Amazon? Feedback on the site seems largely okay, other than the sheisty branding.

Note: I’m really not going to be doing anything intense off-road — just want to be prepared especially with all this Sierra snow we’ve been getting!