Recovery Points

I have a 21 TRD OR. Wanting to be prepared as possible should I need to get pulled out of mud or anything. My question is do I need to replace my OEM tow hooks? with what? Is it safe to get pulled out using that as a recovery point?

 

ARB recovery point

https://aventuron.com/products/arb-...UnPSIeRuTDwVSvnGavhpgVl5O4Dc6SwMaArzREALw_wcB

 

not safe off of the tie down point (thin loop)
i have just wrapped soft shackle around the frame i think thats the safest.
now i have a front bumper. but like previous post ARB recovery point is gold standard if you dont want a front bumper (but can work out to similar price: 2 ARB points / low profile winch bumper)

 

The offroads have a beefier hook on the passenger side. Plenty of debate about if it's a proper "recovery" point or not (probably not), but it's certainly better than the tie down loop on the driver side. The ARB would be the best option for something that's officially rated, but obviously it's pricey, or as mentioned, a steel bumper with recovery hooks.

Personally, I would rather buy a kinetic recovery rope that stretches (like a Yankum in @Bertw192's signature) with a soft shackle or two (one for each end), which will significantly reduce the stress on recovery points should you ever need them, and also gives you an option with the soft shackle to find a spot on the frame to loop through if you don't trust the hook. The problem with getting recovered is usually when using a static strap with a metal D-ring shackle and trying to get a running start, which turns the shackle into a lethal projectile when they break (plenty of videos on Youtube, scary stuff). Especially if you get stuck in the mud as you mentioned, when suction becomes a real issue and momentum or a winch is usually needed to pull you out, I wouldn't trust any metal components tying the two vehicles together to hold up to those extreme forces.

I originally bought D-ring shackles, a "recovery" tow strap, and a hitch receiver (all by Smittybilt) for recoveries, before realizing that none of them, besides maybe the hitch receiver, would be "safe" to use if I ever needed to get recovered. Smittybilt quality is also not what it once was, so I don't have any faith in the D-rings or tow strap to do anything other than light, gentle pulls. A kinetic recovery rope is on my wish list, having watched enough Matt's Off Road Recovery on Youtube, it seems like the safest option, and can still be used if a vehicle doesn't have proper recovery points.

 

Welcome To TW

 

Sorry, but just a point of clarity. The left loop and OR tow hook are nearly equivalent, likely the hoop is stronger overall. Welds are stronger than bolts and the loop is mounted to the top of the crossmember versus the bottom. The puts less torque into the frame connection.

The tow hook is also nicely designed to put the load along the shear plane of both bolts.


The part that folks don't want to use is the clip on the right side that comes on the non-ORs.

 

Makes sense, thanks for the clarification.

 

Cheers!

 

In other words, the passenger hook on all models is safe to use?

 

For straight pulls on more or less even terrain yes

 

DRIVER!

Good:

Left loop and OR tow hook if you have it. For normal recoveries.


Better:

For mud, you'd want the ARB and / or hitch shackle.


Best:

Bumpers with shackle loops are the very best.


Bad / Do Not Use:

Non-OR clip on the passenger side.

 

Pic for reference. Driver side (right in picture) is the loop, as Tony said, on all models, and is theoretically stronger since it's welded to the top of the crossmember, where the passenger side hook is bolted (left in picture) to the bottom on the offroads. I had always assumed the hook was stronger (was only thinking material wise, much thicker than the loop) but the connection being welded vs. bolted makes sense to me. I would think using both in a recovery with a bridle (connect to both in a V shape) would be best, sans the ARB or a steel bumper recovery point. There is a loop on other models on the passenger side in place of the hook that should not be used for recovery.

 

Be sure that bridle is long to cut down the angle. A lot of capability would be lost with a short one as it would create large side loads. Neither side would like that.

 

Word to the wise, go easy at first with your off road forays. Plenty of poor SOB's on here that have bought a new Taco, and have literally fucked them up so bad. You could become injured physically and your wallet will suffer also.
'

 

word.