Recovery Hooks w/ Stock Bumpers

^^ this... Does anyone have anecdotal/actual evidence of the front recovery point failing? sure, I wouldn't hang the vehicle from it but Toyota does provide the OR models with that big beefy hook, it certainly implies that one can apply a great deal of force to it in a recovery attempt. The sport/SR5 models come with the above recovery point, it's like 5/16ths steel, and wider than that at the thinnest part, definitely thicker than, say, chains I've used in the past. There are several vendors here that sell beefier brackets than the factory one, and they attach with the same bolts.

Has anyone ever heard of/seen a failure/damage to frame?

 

That small 'beefy' hook that came with my 07 Taco is a hold-down point during transport, not a recovery point. Maybe newer models have a better designed subframe but mine doesn't. It drops about eight inches down. If it had a 'trailing arm' type bar bolted or welded to the frame, I would have more peace of mine.

 

Correct the welded on drivers side loop is indeed the tie-down for transport, but the passenger side fixture is a tow hook. On OR models the point looks like this



On SR5 and sport models it looks like this,



Owners manual says the truck can be towed from this point

 

Tow, yes; recovery, maybe - depends on the tension needed to recover a stuck vehicle. Most instructions on how to properly use recovery straps state to connect them to the frame and use the rear of the vehicle whenever possible. I would not use our subframe to attach a recover strap, unless I was recovering a light duty vehicle, i.e. an ATV.
http://www.offroaders.com/tech/Tow_Straps.htm
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/towing/equipment/protective-towing/tow-hooks2.htm

 

Towing on a surfaced road and recovering from mud or sand are not the same.

 

I agree, I was just trying start a conversation about the strength of that point. Sometimes one must pull a truck from the front when it is stuck. Without an aftermarket bumper or hidden recovery bar taco owners are kinda out of luck it seems. That said I have yanked a tacoma out ( I know it's not correct) with the tie down on the drivers side, it was all we could reach. Luckily it worked.
@BlindingWhiteTac. You are right, the passenger side is indeed for towing in a flat surface, I just tracked down the part of the owners manual that states just that.

I just wonder how far above that limit one could go I.E. a mid grade 5/16ths chain has a 4000lb working load but a 16k breaking load ...

 

On alot of trail runs the organizer asks that the participants have a front and rear recovery point. Does that mean that everyone has to have aftermarket upgrades to the front? Bummer if so

 

Any quality chain with enough strength to use in a recovery is going to be marked. Transport tie down chain is grade 70 and that is the minimum I would use in any recovery. The comparison of 3/8 or 5/16 chain to the thickness of that tow or recovery point is questionable. The quality of the steel used is unknown and as I said before I would compare it to the safety chain connection points on the trailer hitch receiver. It's much better to use a strap end secured by the receiver pin than a shackle in the safety chain hooks.

I'm not claiming that it will fail the first time it's used, but if you're using a snatch strap connected to that point with a shackle, and the steel tears through, you now have a few pounds of steel recoiling on the end of a rubber band going who knows where.

 

I was just using the chain as an example of how a thing can be rated for a lower # than its actual strength, as in the recovery hook is rated to tow the truck on a level surface, but what is its upper limit in terms of strength

 

After this discussion the takeaway for me is clear the front factory ppints are no good for recovery and are dangerous except for towing on a level surface and only in an emergency. If one wants a proper recovery point up front aftermarket gear is needed. Thanks for the input guys!

 

I bought one of these used off here for $40. Bolt right up, hardley even noticeable and they are forged, so very strong.

 

I agree, definitely a solid piece of gear, but even on a truck that is still rated just for towing on a level surface :from the owners manual :

If a tow truck is not available, in an emergency your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using a cable or chain secured to the emergency
towing hook. This should only attempted on hard, surfaced roads for
short distances at low speeds.

 

It is a little confusing as several vendors sell aftermarket parts to fit shackles that bolt up into the same spot, and just the appearance of that tow hook would imply that that is a legitimate recovery point. Only when you read page 376 paragraph b(a joke, not sure of page but it's buried pretty good) of the owners manual do you find that info...

 

I have much more faith in the OR hook than what comes on the rest of the range. I would spend the money on the hook.

 

I've been recovered, have recovered, and done other pulling (dragging logs, etc...) with the front recovery point. That was even before I bought an OR recovery hook. I have plenty of faith in it. That said, my front end is also reinforced with the CBI Offroad front hitch.

 

I have the reg cab and replaced my stock D ring tie down with the TRD recovery hooks. Have used it and the class III hitch for emergency evac without issues.

Do not all TRD's come with the big recovery hook?

 

I've used it too and even used the tie down on the drivers side lol, was in a pinch and it was the only point accessible. I guess the answer lies somewhere in between I usually try anyway to hide behind the engine block of the vehicle doing the pull, as insurance from a potential flying projectile lol

And no only the OR models come with the hook, the sport and SR5 models come with the bracket pictured

 

I just think if your going to take the energy to off road get decent recovery points. Replacing that hook was one of my first mods. Lots of different options have been posted.

 

Bulletproof fab makes a nice one that I'm considering...

 

I just took a look at that Mobtownoffroad recovery bar, very nice. $350 kind of hurts. A group buy price would ease the pain....hmmm.