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rear tow hook that DOES NOT require a tow hitch?

Discussion in 'Off-Roading & Trails' started by SR54x4, Mar 24, 2011.

  1. Mar 24, 2011 at 6:04 PM
    #1
    SR54x4

    SR54x4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Are there any tow hooks for the back of the 2nd gen Tacomas that do not require you to have a tow hitch? I currently do not have a hitch, don't really need one either. So I was hoping there is something out there so I can have a rear recovery point without having to add a hitch.
     
  2. Mar 25, 2011 at 12:14 AM
    #2
    06rubi

    06rubi Well-Known Member

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    Maybe a large shackle to go through the trailer ball hole in your bumper? Dunno. I doubt I'd want to tug real hard or often with it. Just for emergencies.
     
  3. Mar 25, 2011 at 7:28 AM
    #3
    Southern01Taco

    Southern01Taco Well-Known Member

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    I wouldn't try pulling off the factory bumper. They are made of thin steel and it doesn't take much to bend the hell out one. The only other option I can think of is an aftermarket rear bumper with recovery points.
     
  4. Mar 25, 2011 at 7:30 AM
    #4
    Tacorunner87

    Tacorunner87 Well-Known Member

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    To much to list!
    the big chain autoparts stores sell 1 that will bolt on with 2 bolts. May look into that and bolt it to the frame rail
     
  5. Mar 25, 2011 at 8:54 AM
    #5
    brp

    brp Well-Known Member

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    Land Rover people use something called a jate ring. Look into that, not really sure if that would be an option or not for a Tacoma
     
  6. Mar 25, 2011 at 4:52 PM
    #6
    SR54x4

    SR54x4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    yea i wouldnt want to be pulled out from that thin bumper.

    ill have to look into the tow hook from an autoparts store.

    i was just hoping there was a company out there that made a rear tow hook specifically for the tacoma that did not require me buying a trailer hitch or aftermarket bumper.
     
    shampoop likes this.
  7. Mar 26, 2011 at 5:51 AM
    #7
    92LandCruiser

    92LandCruiser Well-Known Member

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    Honestly I think the tow hitch is probably the best and easiest way. The second thing I'd try is one of those two hooks Reese makes, they sell them at the autoparts store. You may have to drill an extra hole in your frame though. Try to get one with a safety latch.

    A jate ring probably would be hard to mount anywhere and not work so well unless you boxed the rear of the frame in on one side and sleeved it and ran the jate ring. You could maybe mount a tow jaw somewhere but those are nearly 200 and wouldn't work as well as a hook I'd think.

    You could always try and have someone fab something. I'd maybe come off the frame with some 5/16" plate after running several 1/2" grade 8 bolts and make a shackle mount or something that barely stuck out beneath the bumper.

    I still say your best and easiest option is the hitch.
     
  8. Mar 28, 2011 at 7:34 PM
    #8
    671taco

    671taco thekeithchronicles

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    did you find a solution? im in the same situation..dont really need a hitch.
     
  9. Mar 28, 2011 at 7:37 PM
    #9
    SR54x4

    SR54x4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    nope, i actually just ordered my hitch about 2 minutes ago. it really is the best solution i think. if your looking autoanything has them on sale for $148, free shipping and free locking hitch pin

    http://www.autoanything.com/towing/73A3874A0A0A3256967.aspx
     
    shampoop likes this.
  10. Mar 29, 2011 at 6:28 PM
    #10
    capetaco12

    capetaco12 .<>./

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    Yea hitch is probably the way to go. You don't think you need it now but chances are you will.
     
  11. Mar 29, 2011 at 6:46 PM
    #11
    michaelg589

    michaelg589 Well-Known Member

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    I have the tow package. I don't tow anything. but I like having it. And of course its a nice recovery point.

    I actually just made myself a tow hook for my receiver hitch. I still have to drill a 5/8" hole in it for a pin. and paint it black. I made a 6"x2"x2" OD box out of 10 gauge steel ( .135 thickness) and then welded a tow hook to the top. I found the hook at a parts store for $8. Steel cost me nothing.
    IMAG0252_13233f4a2b76e327a026879e6870ff6749c800f7.jpg
     
  12. Mar 31, 2011 at 11:00 AM
    #12
    Nonfatwater7

    Nonfatwater7 Well-Known Member

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    Just put your hitch pin in the hitch. Doesn't require you going out and buying anything and you don't have to worry about it being stolen. Put the snatch strap inside the hitch hole and run the pin through the hole of the snatch strap. Tug on the strap to make sure you got the pin through the hole and then snatch away. Problem solved. I do it this way every time someone gets stuck, including me.
     
  13. Mar 31, 2011 at 12:46 PM
    #13
    capetaco12

    capetaco12 .<>./

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    The hook is geat if your hitch is submersed in mud or something.
     
  14. Mar 31, 2011 at 1:13 PM
    #14
    wmdpowell

    wmdpowell Well-Known Member

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    same boat, looking at the Curt hitch from auto anything.
     
  15. Apr 1, 2011 at 1:29 PM
    #15
    Chickenmunga

    Chickenmunga Nuggety

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    I think you guys are talking about two different things.

    If you don't have a receiver, such as those of you that didn't buy the tow package, it's really going to be easiest to get a Class III receiver.

    If you don't have a hitch, get one of these. The hitch pin works in a pinch, but long term you would want a better solution.

    For those of you considering a tow hook, DON'T. For safety, you need a fully enclosed loop, otherwise the strap can come off. I refuse to recover/tow anyone who doesn't have a fully enclosed loop.
     
  16. Apr 1, 2011 at 1:35 PM
    #16
    swendling12

    swendling12 Well-Known Member

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    Before I got a cheap bumper receiver, I used a large shackle that could go through the center bumper hole. Worked just fine. People don't give the stock bumper enough credit. It's more capable that most think.
     
  17. Apr 1, 2011 at 2:00 PM
    #17
    wmdpowell

    wmdpowell Well-Known Member

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    I was wondering about your solution, shakle through bumper hole. I have to check the manual to see if it gives a capasity. (I have a 4cly so wouldn't be pulling more than a small truck or getting myself pulled out)
     
  18. Apr 1, 2011 at 2:04 PM
    #18
    swendling12

    swendling12 Well-Known Member

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    I don't know about capacity, but it's worked fine so far for me. I went and bought a $45 bolt on receiver that bolts to the outside 2 holes on the bumper, and adds some flexibility to use.

    I've put a lot of load on it without issue so far. I towed about 3500 lbs on my bumper 2 weeks ago. I've been pulled out of some pretty neat messes last winter by my dad's Dakota and haven't had a problem. I can say that a tow strap through the bumper mount will bend the shit out of the chrome in a hurry. Only pull on the bumper from the center, that's where it's strong. The rest of the bumper is a joke.

    Historically I've gotten by fine with just using the bumper.
     
  19. Apr 1, 2011 at 2:42 PM
    #19
    Chickenmunga

    Chickenmunga Nuggety

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    From what I read in the towing section, the bumper has a tow rating of about 3500 lbs.

    However, consider the following:

    The GVWR of a taco is 5450
    That weight gets amplified in most stuck situations - hills, mud, snow
    Snatching requires more strength than towing.
     
  20. Apr 5, 2011 at 3:16 PM
    #20
    SR54x4

    SR54x4 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    so i ended up with the curt receiver which im going to instal tomorrow night. also got a receiver hitch shackle mount and shackle from Tim over at Elite. question now is this... the hitch came with a free locking hitch pin as part of the deal. when i opened the box i read on the packaging for the hitch pin that it is rated for 4,000 lbs (which is class I and II hitches). The hitch i got is a class three, 2" and the pin fits it. Is this pin going to be strong enough to use with my shackle/shackle mount or will i need something stronger?
     

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