Which front recovery point is best?

Got stuck in the sand yesterday with my two boys in tow.

Was fortunate that a jeep was driving by and tugged me out using my recovery strap. First time I got stuck. I Didn't carry enough momentum going up a slight incline and got stock on the crest of the hill. Was aired down and in 4hi but no luck

Question:
I used the driver side hook yesterday. Im thinking that it probably for a towing tie down vs a recovery point? Right?





Is this considered the recovery loop, and I should be using this in the future?


Thanks for the help.

 

You don't want to be pulled out by either of those.

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

or get a OEM TRD recover hook:



Those things you currently have are not meant as recovery points and for towing/chaining up while on a tow truck or semi only.

 

$91 for just the plate, shackle sold separately...

 

So how much is the OEM TRD recovery hook?

 

Get the SOS one from @EddyRRT
http://sosoffroadconcepts.com/factory-recovery-replacement/

 

No bolts but the dealer has them for a few bucks
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fs-trd-off-road-tow-hook-35-shipped.484011/

 

Is it safe to guess that the wrong tow points have been used countless times without damage to the vehicle?

 

Safe to guess, not safe to do

 

It's your truck, so I'm not saying you have to buy anything for it but personally I'm not going to fart around with the chance.

/Your mileage may vary.

 

I like the wit of the reply - brevity and all that - but doesn't the hook bolt to the precise spot where one of the tie downs bolts? I am just speculating admittedly but is the proper hook commonly installed? Or have most managed without it without incident? Just thinking it might be overkill - but have no real world experience in the matter.

 

The bolts arent the weak point in the oem config, granted bolts generally arent designed for shear strength, the tie down point is thin metal.

It may work just fine pulling along a flat road, but recovery is a different situation.

When youve got thousands of pounds of force, its best to overkill. Ive been in a car when a hook came back through a windshield from the recovery point failing. Wont be doing that again.

 

The factory version of the truck has no recover points.

And frankly that OEM TRD "recovery hook" looks janky. I'd never use a "hook" in a recovery. D-Ring shackles only for me. Much lower risk of the recovery strap slipping off and hurting someone or damaging something.

 

I think people that are concerned about using the tie down points are the type that will more often put themselves in situations where they may get stuck and need to actually use it. It might work once and be ok, but definitely get a real recovery point if you think you're going to get stuck again.

 

I just looked at my '15 TRD Off Road 4x4 and it came with the OEM TRD recovery hook with built in loop on the passenger side and a heavy duty loop on the drivers side.

 

I use this one.

 

An old thread, but I'm a new TACO owner.. so...

My 09 TRD came with the TRD recovery hook, but access to it is blocked by the Rugged Ridge Bull Bar that is currently installed.

Until I get a front bumper with built in recovery points, what else can I use? Would the SOSOffroadConcepts one hang down low enough to get a strap onto it with the bull bar still in place?

 

Remove the bull bar. It doesn't do anything unless you have lights attached to it.

If you get yourself in a jam even if you have an aftermarket recovery point, the strap will likely snag on the bull bar, which you REALLY don't want to have happen.

Otherwise you're out of options. You can always "just send it" and hope for the best but even if you get the SOS shackle mount, it's not really going to clear the bar when the strap or whatever gets tension on it.

 

Yeah, looking into purchasing an ARB front bumper but have to come up with the cash... but you have a valid point that other than looking good (and having some spectacular LED lighting) the bull bar doesn't serve my needs.

Cheers!

 

Ooops, didn't notice this thread was so old. Oh well it stays

The loop in your first picture is for tie down and should not be used for recovery. The smaller bent 90 degree metal piece is stronger and can be used for recovery, the problem is the hole isn't that big so you might have trouble safely attaching something to it.

This hook is ideal (other than a bumper with real recovery points). I've used it to recover a 25 foot RV some poor lost European kids got stuck in a stream crossing in the middle of Mendocino NF.

I think you're nuts. Don't get me wrong, D-shackles are great if you have an aftermarket bumper, but that hook is absolutely beefy as fuck (have you ever even held one?) and D rings are one additional piece in the chain that can go flying at you in a worst case scenario. That hook is as good as it gets and I trust it more than any $100+ aftermarket welded piece that accepts a D-ring. Also there's no way any recovery strap is slipping off that thing.

 

I second the "remove the bull bar" option. If you're doing anything that requires the use of the recovery hook you don't want that bull bar. They're for looks not function and cause more harm than good if you're actually using your Tacoma for Tacoma stuff.