What is a Tow Hook and How Does it Work?

There is a great deal of terminology that you may encounter when it comes to towing with vehicles, some that are simple to understand and others that are a little more complicated. A term like tow hook however kind of sits in the middle.

In this article we will look at what tow hooks are and the various uses to which they are put. The term may seem very simple and self explanatory but tow hooks are actually a little more complicated than you might think so read on to learn more.

What Are Tow Hooks?

Tow hooks are in fact simple tools that you can attach to your vehicle that allow you to pull it safely. They are a more stable alternative to attaching chains or straps to your wheel axles risking potentially costly damage.

When tow hooks are fitted they are specifically located on the spots of a vehicle that have been specially designed to withstand the full force of the car or truck. Correctly fitted tow hooks, if properly installed, can make the difference between a safe tow and one that can cause serious damage to the vehicle.

Having tow hooks fitted can also be really handy for vehicle recovery in the event of a breakdown or an accident that has immobilized the vehicle. With a tow hook you can simply attach towing chains, bars or straps and very easily move a broken down car to somewhere safer and more suitable.

If you find yourself stuck in a ditch, mud or a snow drift a couple of tow hooks can be very helpful to extricate the stranded vehicle. These hooks also help to minimize sway and vibration while being towed. This helps avoid damage to your vehicle.

Types of Tow Hooks

Tow hooks may seem a simple prospect but there are actually several different types to choose from. Some car manufacturers may include tow hooks as standard or offer them as an option especially those for off-road type models.

There is also a selection of aftermarket tow hooks to choose from which can be placed where you feel they would be the most beneficial. Obviously there are spots on your vehicle that are more suitable than others for tow hooks so you will want to explore your options in this regard.

The majority of vehicles can make use of the traditional bent hook design which is open at one side. There is also the D-ring type which resembles a capital letter D and is made of heavy duty metal. This is more secure than the hook version.

Tow hooks with a threaded end are also available that will attach to a recovery anchor on the front of your vehicle. There are a few common hooks that have some varied range of uses which include:

Grab Hooks

Also known as mount tow hooks, grab hooks are designed for really heavy jobs so they are often used on four-wheel drive and heavy duty truck type vehicles. Designed to be robust and durable they often come with some form of latch to guarantee a secure hold when towing.

One of the most common uses for grab hooks is if a vehicle gets stuck and can't get out under its own power such as in snow, mud and sand. It is used in conjunction with another vehicle which can add its power from a place of better traction to pull the stranded truck or car free.

Pintle Hook

This is a common towing hook often found as part of trailer towing set up. Usually mounted at the rear of the vehicle it is like the grab hook and also sometimes has a latch or jaw clip mechanism. This allows a lunette ring to slot over its vertical heavy duty pin and lock in place with the latch.

As a result you have a very flexible towing connection that not only allows moving side to side but also up and down to a limited degree. It is perfect for towing over rough terrain or roads so it is great for a big recovery attempt in off-road situations.

These are generally more robust than the average tow hooks as they are designed for a specific towing purpose and are mounted to the rear of the truck.

Racing Hook

Another interesting tow hook is the racing hook type which you may have seen attached to race cars or other sports type vehicles. These racing hooks are both practical and also fashionable right now which is more important for some.

Usually painted to match the vehicle they are affixed to they are often heavy duty metal rings that can be hooked up to if a towing situation occurs. Designed for extracting actual race cars in the event of a crash they can serve the same purpose on your own sports cars while looking very cool as well.

How to Choose the Right Tow Hook

If you are looking for aftermarket hooks because the manufacturer does not offer them then you will need to take a few things into consideration. As mentioned there are various shapes and sizes which have different specialist tasks so be aware of those options and how they relate to your vehicle use.

Another big concern is making sure the hook is rated to handle the weight of your vehicle. A hook intended for a lightweight car for example would probably break if it had to support the towing of a Ford F3500 truck.

Research what works best with your vehicle and make sure you consider functionality first and foremost because it doesn’t matter if they look cool but can’t help you get out of a jam.

What Are the Uses of Tow Hooks?

Throughout this post we have mentioned several uses for tow hooks and there are many more. Primarily though the intent is, as the name suggests, to tow. This may be recovering a vehicle that can not run under its own power, pulling something loose from a stuck position or towing something from one place to another.

They can be very versatile and helpful additions to your vehicles. As mentioned a tow truck can hook up to your car's axles when they tow which is fine but it does risk damage. Something secured to a solid part of your car's body however is safer and does less damage.

Conclusion

Tow hooks are a versatile range of additions that can be added to your car or truck. They can help you perform tasks or get you out of a tough situation. In some cases they can have been fitted to give the vehicle a cool look but also be functional as well.

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