Demon Hooks... anyone try them?

As i said in another similiar post, seeing those demon brackets is a great reminder to never let the owner of a stuck vehicle secure the tow rope to their own vehicle themselves when you're the one recovering them

 

I know these technically are not rated for recovery but has anyone here actually used them?

 

That's the SAME question I have.........????

 

I think the consensus is use them for light pulling (car stuck in snow and needs a little pull, pulling out some small roots, etc...). Proceed at your own risk if you plan on doing any heavy pulling or tugging in an offroad situation. Might want to tell the person on the other end to stay way clear.

 

The problem here, as I see it, is that the construction looks okay. On par with the other options that replace the factory stuff. The two issues are the quality of the metal and the quality of the welds. One person giving them a tug is not going to substantiate the lot until the vendor steps up to the plate with clear language.

That's my opinion anyway. Esp from someone who would like to use these.

 

Can the SOS bumper be used for snatch recoveries without worrying about something getting ripped off?

 

Most all plate bumpers (slim and full) replace the structural bumper and are attached directly to the frame. The shackle eyes are usually directly inline with the frame.

 

They're the new front bull balls

 

I like the idea of these things but not the execution. The one that replaces the stock tow hook could have utilized all three bolt locations. And the part where the shackle attaches could have been a solid piece. As is I don't think I'd put too much trust in them.

 

I agree, and I'm baffled as to why they didn't design the product to use all three bolts.

 

I think because the company intended them to be more for show... and it's cheaper to design it the way they did. I agree, they (or someone else) could build them up a bit more and use all three holes, make it a solid piece instead of using stacked washers that appear to be tac-welded, etc... It's why more people need to really understand... "use at your own risk and don't kill someone else during the process."

 

I have seen some robust recoveries accomplished from that tiedown point. I'm not saying I'd recommend it, but I've seen them take repeated, hard pulls.

 

I'm considering buying a pair of demon brackets too. I think they look good with D-rings but more for looks than recovery. From my research and 2 cents for whatever that's worth; They should have definitely been manufactured with at least two bolts and rated. The bracket does wrap around the back side of the frame and that actually helps the structural integrity. They look strong enough to use, the question is: How much use? What weight is the bracket rating for? From my research they are not rated and that's not a good sign IMO, with that said when another vehicle is stuck in deep mud, deep snow, on a decline, or low embankment and needs a tow that's a job for a recovery winch. I only have a 4 cylinder so using mine transmission as a means of recovery is out of the question, a transmission is not made for that.

 

If you're buying for looks then functionality doesn't matter. It seems that no one who has them has actually used them

 

The factory hook on the passenger side is absolutely for recovery look at how it's built, it's not a tie down like the drivers side loop. The only reason they don't rate it is the lawyers and the fact that people are stupid. Rated recovery points are no doubt stronger but if you break one or get hurt they will simply say you must have exceeded the rated pull load, how are you gonna prove them wrong? The demon brackets are held on the sub frame/bumper with one bolt and you have to remove the factory recovery hook to install them. No thanks......

 

I'll quote my own post from the first page of this thread:

The design of this component is not complete. As a practicing structural engineer with a BSME in mechanical, I would never personally use these to do any sort of serious recovery offroad. I wouldn't even use these to do a moderate tug out of a snowbank on the side of the road. I'd probably link up to them to simply pull someone off of a flat area of snow/ice onto pavement, but nothing more.

If you want a simple way to make your truck a bit different from other Tacomas, rock these things to your hearts content.

These are not structural in any meaningful way, and should never be treated as such.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z9gkE0GFb8

 

Any reason why you can't just hook a tow/recovery strap to a Pro grille? Aren't those tougher than the Off Road and Sport grilles?

 

Try it out and post a video.