Rear recovery point without tow hitch?

I found this 10 year old thread, but wondering if anything has changed?

rear tow hook that DOES NOT require a tow hitch? | Tacoma World

I don't really intend to tow anything with my 4 banger. I have a tow hitch, but it hangs low and I'm thinking of removing it. Any other decent options?

 

$36 TOPTOW 64181 Trailer Receiver Hitch Tri Ball Mount with Hook Black Balls Fits for 2" Receiver

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07XFZYBSC?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

I bought a warehouse one for 20ish.

they have a d ring version for 25 to 30bucks.

 

I'm asking if I can have a hook or other recovery point without the hitch.

 

You can if you get an aftermarket bumper.

 

You mean I can't just throw a strap around the OEM bumper & go, That's what we did back in the 60's & 70's...Oh I forgot, these are new & improved.

 

You can, once.

 

There is a hole for a ball on my bumper. Yes, so within reason.

 

Yeah. Then if you ever get your truck unstuck, you can walk back out to the spot and pick up your rear bumper. It shouldn't be too heavy to carry back out a couple a hundred yards or so.....

 

Remove the plastic cap on the bumper step to reveal the hole for a tow ball:



Instead of a tow ball, put a soft shackle through it. It's only rated to 3500 lb, so you have to carefully estimate the pulling forces involved.

 

Hack that receiver off and as needed wrap a strap around the structure the hitch is attached to.

 

Keep hitch on and lift truck 2" to compensate for hitch height.

 

Another thing you can do is cut off the hitch receiver but leave the cross tube in place, then drill and bolt on shackle mounts to the tube. Something like these:

TIXO D-Ring Shackles with Mount Red D-Rings Black Isolators Mount Brackets Pair

https://www.amazon.com/TIXO-Shackles-D-Rings-Isolators-Brackets/dp/B08M6571W1/
https://www.amazon.com/All-Sales-88711-Demon-Bumpers/dp/B07PGLK9CD/
May take a little trial-and-error.

 

I like this idea. The bottom ones would be slick if they fit around my bar. Getting the hitch tube off looks like no small task with an angle grinder. I don't have a torch.

 

I would leave it personally. I have dragged my hitch through some stuff but has never really been a problem for me. Honestly like that it is there because I would rather be hit there than just my rear bumper. Thing would fold up in no time, and a well placed sharp rock could put a hole right through the spare tire sidewall.

Here is a video of my truck doing elephant hill. You can see in the end it does drag the hitch, but until I get a real steel rear bumper I would rather drag the hitch instead of the stock bumper.

Edit - you should start with chopping that exhaust pipe. That is your real low hanging fruit...

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwqUm9PhuzU/

 

My hitch says 5000 on it, so not hugely different...

 

Rule of thumb for pulling forces on level ground:
1x vehicle weight when buried to the hub
2x vehicle weight when buried to the top of the tire

Additional derating factors apply on inclines or if there's a tire- or suspension failure.

Assuming you have half-decent tires, it's unlikely you'll be stuck unless buried to the hub or higher, so pulling from the hitch is safer.

Also you can deflate the spare to give it puncture resistance. Obviously only do this if you have a tire compressor in the truck at all times (I do).

 

I would recommend attaching a suction cup to the rear glass and using that as a recovery point

 

If you take the hitch off and assuming its oem . First thing is your going to need brackets that attach the bumper to frame. I took mine off because it was so rusty. The bracket can be found on ebay for like $40 bucks for the pair aftermarket ones. and once you take that off your truck will sit about 1/2 higher in back. Witch worked out for me because when Toyota did the leaf spring recall it dropped 1/2
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bumper-Bra...er-Arm-Set-of-2-Rear-Right-Side-/233069634906

 

It am getting used to banging my hitch...at least until I can lift and get bigger tires. I put one of these in when I go in the dirt: https://www.4wheelparts.com/p/smitt...d-d-ring-shackle-black-29312b/_/R-DSBP-29312B

 

Thinking outside the box.... I like it!!!