Tow Hook Broke

My 2018 Tacoma was stuck on this morning. after being towed out of the trench, I found the front two hook was broken, the towing guy said he did nothing wrong but it is a manufacturing default . I wanna get helps from here before going to Toyota dealers to ask a repair, ( when the Tacoma pulling out of the trench, it was not loaded, just the weights of truck itself. Could you guys tell me if it is a manufacturing default or towing driver's fault?
Thanks!

 

you were stuck... looks like the effort to pull you out of the muck exceeded the abilities of the tow hook... doubtful you'll be able to demonstrate it was a manufacturing defect, but good luck. If the dealership can't replace (or even if they do) you may still want to find something stronger.

 

That's a tie down hook, not a recovery hook.

Get a proper recovery point from ARB, or an aftermarket, steel bumper.

 

Or the third option, the Tacoma drivers fault.
There is no way to prove how much force or exertion was put on the particular part.
You got stuck, you accept responsibility. The tow truck driver was just doing his job, and the part in question was doing what it was asked to do. Had you not got stuck then neither the part or tow driver would have been put in this situation. Man up and pay for the repairs.

 

X2
NOT a tow hook. Be glad it gave way and not the sub frame.

There IS a tow hook on the opposite side, for towing short distances over level ground. (It's behind your air dam.)

 

FTFY

Yes, its YOUR fault.

Welcome to TW by the way on your very first post....

 

Ice cream machine broke

 

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

 

Get an OR tow hook.

 

I like how the original post has been edited. No longer says "doing something I don't want to disclose"

 

Hi, Thanks for all who had answered my question. Now, IF i leave this broken hook the way it is, does it hurt?

 

I appreciate your efficiency.

 

I did 15 years of pulling vehicles out of ditches and accident recoveries in rural Canada. I’ve used telescoping booms and lifted most models and makes pretty much off the ground using OEM transport tie downs and stock recovery hooks. In my experience, if something is hung up real bad, the tow truck cable usually breaks before the hooks. The only exceptions would be old, rusted out hooks or pulling from a severe angle on the screw in type eye bolts.
I don’t think your hook should have broken, unless is was previously damaged from hitting something before being pulled from the ditch.
My two cents anyway. Good luck.

 

It is only a tie down hook though.

 

Yes.

 

That is a transport point. Not designed for recovery.also for each wheel stuck in mud or sand add 25% of vehicle gross weight to total being pulled..I did recovery and towing for 22yrs. I can teach a class on recovery..lol

 

Also the tow driver was lazy or not trained. He should know that wasn't a recovery point.

 

This works. Bolts up where the Tie Down was.
http://sosoffroadconcepts.com/factory-recovery-replacement/

 

This is kind of like that one did the blew his front diff from WOT in 4lo and wondering if Toyota should cover it because they make it seem like that's what it's for

Like other people said above, if you ask for a tow, and agree then you usually wave your right to damages unless it is complete negligence like the tow truck driver hooks solely to your brake line or ties a hook to your gas tank or something

You're the reason there will soon be a bright yellow sticker added to the tie down point saying it's not for towing, only tie down. Also another sticker added to the visor telling you the same thing along with all the other warnings.

 

It's debatable imo as it's impossible to memorize all the points front and rear for every vehicle.

If anything this goes back on the driver as he should be educated on the vehicle he owns/drives and could have corrected the tow truck driver. Kind of like knowing where the oil dipstick and Jack points on a vehicle are.