Recovery points?

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/front-recovery-point.502974/page-2 I have seen the bent hooks here, but I can’t dig them up

 

I know this has been brought up in the past...I don't have any experience with it but I am looking to add a front recovery point on my truck eventually.

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

 

From my research the ARB one is pretty much it. The rest don’t attach to the actual frame on multiple points like the ARB is designed. I wouldn’t trust the tow points on my truck as has been mentioned. As far as I can find Toyota determines these to be tie down points for shipping not to be seriously used for any recover.

 

Looked at that one it has the same problem as the other daemon bracket it does not bolt down to the actual frame at multiple points which is needed for a real recovery point or so my research says.

 

Gotcha, good to know thank you.

 

I researched the dickens out of recovery points. Honestly, I think I looked at every single option out there. Clearly the ARB one is the best -- as it bolts to the frame of the truck. I get that it is expensive but it is rated, bolts to the frame and seems like the best option on the market bar none. I decided that I was not going to buy it because it is probably overkill for what I need (I am pulling people out of the snow and doing what I call very light recovery). I am not a hard core overlander (by the way, nothing wrong with that) but I don't think I need it. Also, after reading the install instructions (there are some excellent posts here!) I figured it was beyond my skill set. .

For my use, which I call light to moderate off roading, the one from BP will suit my purposes. It is rated. And while it connects to the bar across the front -- and not the frame -- it does have three bolts. Nice people, too. My understanding is they are also working on one for the driver's side and if they have that available I will get that one too.

I also plan on getting this for rear recovery:
https://www.rhinousainc.com/collections/recovery-gear/products/shackle-hitch-receiver

So my strategy will be use that in the back and the one from BP in the front and I should be good to go.

But then again, my use is expected to be 1 to maybe 5 on the recovery scale. More like towing and doing very light pulling from people stuck on the side of the road in a snow bank type of thing. If my needs were more rugged, I would definitely get the ARB.

Just wanted to share my strategy as it related to my intended use.

 

Totally understand I’m roughly in the same boat but there are times being out in nowhere when I need the confidence of a strong recovery point. Since I won’t be getting a winch or a beefy front bumper I can really only find one other solution which is the ARB one. You will probably be fine with what your going to do since there is a long track record of others doing similar things with no issues.

 

100% agree. I am in the Northeast. We have some good trails and stuff -- especially when I head up to Northern Quebec -- to be with family but that's not really the kind of hard core off roading that is in the West, for sure. I've pulled a ton of people out of snow. But I wouldn't call that "recovery" per se. I think I will be fine. But if my life depended on it, and I was doing hardcore off road, I would not hesitate to get the ARB. I think I read it was the only one that is rated if you are doing recovery at an angle -- which is probably what most people are doing.

By the way, I came across these in my research. Of course, not available here or for Tacomas from what I can tell. Wish they were since this looks like a good option:
https://www.the4wdshed.com/recovery-tow-point-shackles-equaliser-strap-kit-toyota-fj-cruiser

 

Well I have to agree that one little hook won’t be safe if the truck is really snagged or sucked into some mud. ARB is also really expensive. If you do intend on needing heavy duty recovery gear, and you don’t have a $2000 bumper, then my advice is go “Matt’s Off Road” style and buy one of these:
https://www.truckntow.com/johnstown...70-40-inch-4-700-pound-safe-working-load.html

 

The Tacoma doesn't have any OEM recovery points.

 

My experience for what it’s worth.I got the Arb bull bumper so the stock recovery point does not work so I bought a cheap hook to put there and that was a mistake bent that part of the frame win I hit a rock needle to say I got the ARB point and it’s built like a brick shit house love it

 

Those are far from the safest option.

And you should never, ever, yank on chains. Just google tow chains breaking and you'll see videos of people loosing their lives with a chain to the face.

You'll notice that tow truck drivers always use those with a winch, they're never yanking their buddy out of the mud with those chains/hooks with a dynamic load.

A much better option is a front hitch with a D-ring in the receiver. They even make ones with recovery points on them, too (for some makes/models). They distribute the load to both sides of the frame.

Even the ARB recovery point only attaches to one side of the frame.

 

Is there supposed to be a statement here?

 

Yes, the Curt front hitch is only $160, but you need to notch the plastic bumper to get it to fit on the higher up models. On the low models you just take off the air dam. It attaches with 2 bolts on each side.

 

TLDR:
If you want an inexpensive way to successfully recover a vehicle you can buy a towing V bridle for not that much and be assured to pull your rig our from any direction with a good recv. If you connect to a substantial part of the frame yourself, then you can be guaranteed no damage as long as the hook is safely connected(takes experience). ARB offers a front connection, but that won't always work. If you use a normal strap, that metal hook at the end is just as dangerous as a chain. So know the limits of the equipment you're using! If you're doubting yourself, then open the hood to protect yourself from any flying metal. This is all on my experience. When I was younger I broke through a grill with a strap breaking throwing the hook , and I've bent class III hitch components trying to unbury my plow truck . You don't learn all this stuff from sitting around. So whoever is reading this, and not familiar with recovering a vehicle, do your homework so you don't damage anything or hurt yourself. Start small, and look to wise elders to teach you!


It all depends on the situation. If you have a truck that is extremely buried, then yes, I would use some R hooks(or whatever is best) on a V bridle, hooked to a kinetic rope, and some common sense. No you shouldn't have an inexperienced person yanking on chains. I've been around the block a few times, pulling multiple rigs out from in the Rockies, and hot air balloon rigs with a hot air balloon aviation setup in an enclosed trailer(about 4,000 lbs) from its frame back to its wheels in sand without disconnecting the trailer. If you want the least amount of damage, and you have something really stuck, a one point hitch connection isn't always the safest. If you want an example of how to do countless recoveries quickly, go youtube matt's off road recovery and observe some recoveries. Then look at other examples around the country on youtube and learn how to do it. There are lots of different situations that can limit you such as sand, mud, ice, snow, water, being high centered, gravity, missing a wheel, etc... You have to use experience and common sense. Yanking something out solely by its hitch isn't meant for that force. Now if you are installing it yourself for that reason you can see how it's connected and assure it won't damage anything. The safest connection is to use a shackle that is meant for the load you are tugging, but you can't always shackle up to something in the way you need to without using towing hooks...

 

Add me to the "plans on getting the ARB recovery point" list.

 

This, this, and this. If you want a true recovery point, the one ARB provides is your best bet. The stock hooks are mainly used for tie-downs and some light pulling. They are only held on by a couple of bolts and any hard, repeated, tugs may eventually cause them to fail. The ARB versions have been fully tested (at all angles) for recovery. If you've noticed, ARB does not install recovery points on their bumpers because they state that this can cause issues with the air bags. They actually recommend these recovery points even if you buy one of their bumpers.

If there is a group buy, I'm totally down!

 

Same here

 

Thoughts on this? It looks pretty solid. The idea of having two high mounted recovery points and the hitch mount in the center gives a on of options.

https://mobtownoffroad.com/product/toyota-tacoma-front-recovery-bar/