Low Cost 3rd Gen Recovery Points

Heading to Outer Banks NC in a month and will be driving on the beach for the first time. I've got tow straps and I'll pick up a shackle or two. I'll put my class III hitch in the back with the shackle where the ball should be. What's available for an emergency pull up front? I don't want to use the tie down points. Just seems like a bad idea.

I don't expect to get stuck but then nobody every does. Just need to NOT damage the truck and NOT make it into a 'stupid games, stupid prizes' youtube video.

 

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

 

Oh and I highly recommend a snatch strap for beach recoveries. Or really 95% of recoveries where you're being tugged by another vehicle. They stretch vs being static.

$70 ARB 4x4 Accessories ARB705LB Recovery Snatch Strap Orange 30' x 2 3/8", Load capacity 17600 lb, NATA approved, 20% Stretch

https://www.amazon.com/ARB-ARB705LB...d=1&keywords=arb+snatch&qid=1592233996&sr=8-4

 

bp fab won't come up right now. Probably blocked by the firewall. I'll try later from another location. Thanks!

I've got two of the old school yellow snatch straps. Never been used, always stored out of the sun so they should be good to go.

 

http://sosoffroadconcepts.com/factory-recovery-replacement/

Don’t know what the lead time is though. @ovrlndkull can chime in on that.

 

Are they snatch straps? Or tow straps, big difference between the two. Snatch straps stretch like a big rubberband so the lead vehicle can get a running start (~5-7mph) and yank out the stuck truck with grace. It's a very smooth and effective process.

The youtube videos you see of people ripping bumpers off is trying to get a running start with straps that do not stretch.

 

A second vote for BP Fab. We have it, it's plenty strong. Hangs down a bit, so we've hit it on trails, but that only marred the powder coating.

 

While It's good to be prepared with a shovel and rope you can avoid their need by airing down to 12 psi.
A 12v. compressor is a necessity.
I've driven OBX beaches and dunes since the 60s. Never been stuck.
Long ago when Jockeys Ridge and Penny hill weren't off limits we made it to the top in 2wd station wagons running 8 to 10 psi.

 

Does that BPF Recovery point work with most aftermarket skid plates? i've got a BAMF front plate.

 

I believe it's more a question of the bumper. The skids should mount right below the recovery point, but some bumpers cover them up.

 

Gotcha. I'm running a stock front bumper.

 

If you can see the tie-down loop on the driver's side, the recovery hook will mount fine.

 

Those 2 or 3 bolt 3/8" bent plate recovery points just don't give me the warm fuzzies. Same with the stock OR recovery point. Looking at that support structure there, I wouldn't want a hard snatch on just that front support. I don't have any bad experiences nor have I seen any personally, I just prefer more frame tie in. I like the ARB and it has good attachment points, but it is a little pricey at 25% of a bumper.

 

Shitty pic having to zoom in so much, but here's the BP Fab hook with stock bumper and Pelfrey front skid. We have actually used it a couple times.

 

I sorta agree. That portion isn’t meant for a really hard recovery, but think about who that recovery point is designed for, people with stock front bumpers. They’re most likely not going to be in a situation where they are seriously stuck, and more for a light recovery. Just like OP.

 

Check your PMs.

 

I've used the stock OR one several times..both being stuck on my frame in the snow. Don't have any complaints...hasn't got bent yet from what I can tell.

 

Yeah. And I would be ok with a lighter tug on that, just not doors deep in mud. Even a winch from that is probably fine. The nice thing about the stock OR hook, is that it looks like a weak point. Hopefully that bends or shears before the frame does.

 

Got a few ready to ship.

 

If you have the OE recovery hook that should be more than sufficient for getting freed out on a beach. Mine got me out of all sorts of bogs. I cant see that the aftermarket products using just the same bolt holes as the OE are any more safe or durable for what you are doing.

Personally I replaced mine with the ARB one. https://arbusa.com/toyota-tacoma-2016-on/bumpers-protection-equipment/recovery-points/ more robust than the OE or other options that I have seen. Though, the price point is twice (paid $215 or so for mine; sold my OE hook for $25, so that might be an option if you don't have the OE hook).