Tow Hooks

[tat6272]

Anyone know what kind of load the front tow hooks are rated for?

[RustyPW]

Think 5,000 lbs each.

[04Ram2500Hemi]

On my 2004 I know it was enough for the tow truck to hook up to them after I slid off the road in the mountains. Once he had me on the road he hooked the other cable to the shackle in my receiver hitch in the back of the truck and spun me 180 degrees to be facing back down the hill. If the Power Wagon hooks are the same I'd say they are pretty damn stout.

[tat6272]

I wish there was a definitive number. I was trying to pull a log up out of a creek at my buddies farm when I heard a nasty metal POP. Now the one side of my bumper on he side I was hooked up to appears to be hanging lower than the other side. The plastic wheel well liner was popped out of place too, like the bumper had pulled away from the truck a bit.

[TrueCowboy426]

I wish there was a definitive number. I was trying to pull a log up out of a creek at my buddies farm when I heard a nasty metal POP. Now the one side of my bumper on he side I was hooked up to appears to be hanging lower than the other side. The plastic wheel well liner was popped out of place too, like the bumper had pulled away from the truck a bit.

Just loosen off the bolts that hold the bumper to the frame and realign your bumper. I've had to do that a few times with all my rams if I got a little over exuberant pulling from the front, especially when your trying to pull up. There is slotted adjustment on those bolts and they will slide if you pull hard enough on the hooks. Good news is I have never broke one, and I've never heard of anyone breaking one. On the PW I had my winch line doubled (~20000lbs pull) to get me out of a hole and with the winch fully stalled I still couldn't get out (ended up having to dig out a bit first), and the tow hook never let go. I feel very safe with the them up to that limit.

[tat6272]

Very informative. Much appreciated.

[Chiprat1]

for every Action there is an equal reaction.....

[verdesardog]

I wish there was a definitive number. I was trying to pull a log up out of a creek at my buddies farm when I heard a nasty metal POP. Now the one side of my bumper on he side I was hooked up to appears to be hanging lower than the other side. The plastic wheel well liner was popped out of place too, like the bumper had pulled away from the truck a bit.

Just loosen off the bolts that hold the bumper to the frame and realign your bumper. I've had to do that a few times with all my rams if I got a little over exuberant pulling from the front, especially when your trying to pull up. There is slotted adjustment on those bolts and they will slide if you pull hard enough on the hooks. Good news is I have never broke one, and I've never heard of anyone breaking one. On the PW I had my winch line doubled (~20000lbs pull) to get me out of a hole and with the winch fully stalled I still couldn't get out (ended up having to dig out a bit first), and the tow hook never let go. I feel very safe with the them up to that limit.

With your winch line doubled and one leg connected to your tow hook there was only the pull of your winch on the tow hook, the doubled load is only felt on whatever you had the snatch block anchored to. The total load on the truck would be half on the winch leg and the other half on the truck anchor point (tow hook) leg.

I have heard of tow truck companies telling thier drivers not to hook to Dodge tow hooks because of failures. (But those falures could have just been 1500's)

[TrueCowboy426]

Sorry, I guess that was a little misleading. By doubled that's with 2 snatch blocks. One at my anchor tree, one at the truck, and the hook back at the tree. I don't think of 1 snatch block as doubled, but I guess it would be. I certainly don't mean to prove that these hooks should be put under that much strain, just that I personally trust them up to that point, however under no time was anyone near the front of the truck. Under that much load I didn't know what would let go first, thankfully nothing ever did. If someone has a better location to anchor to on these trucks I'm certainly all ears.

[TwinStick]

Yes, many Dodge tow hooks have failed. Only one that i know of on a PW. The problem lies here: it is designed for straight on pulls ONLY. If you pull/lift up on it, down on it or at any angle, failure can occur. I am sure it is cheaper to replace a tow hook than it is to straighten the end/s of your frame. Personally, i'm good with that.

[verdesardog]

Sorry, I guess that was a little misleading. By doubled that's with 2 snatch blocks. One at my anchor tree, one at the truck, and the hook back at the tree. I don't think of 1 snatch block as doubled, but I guess it would be. I certainly don't mean to prove that these hooks should be put under that much strain, just that I personally trust them up to that point, however under no time was anyone near the front of the truck. Under that much load I didn't know what would let go first, thankfully nothing ever did. If someone has a better location to anchor to on these trucks I'm certainly all ears.

Ok what you had then was a 3:1 , in that configuration you would have had 1/3 tension on your winch leg and 1/3 on each tow hook leg meaning 2/3 tension on the tow hook. So even thought you had less tension on each leg you had more tension on your tow hook.

[tat6272]

Ok, I guess the real question is, what the hell is the purpose of "tow hooks" if they are rated for 5000 pounds ( not stated in any manual-only says for emergency use only), yet the truck weighs way more than that, especially if stuck? And if the winch is rated for 12,000 pounds and is supposed to be doubled back to connect to said tow hook, I would assume that they are capable of withstanding more than 5000 pounds. It does mention in the manual that they should NOT be used by a tow truck to hook to or for towing on roads. So, if the trucks gross weight if around 8500 pounds (more when stuck) how could the hooks only be rated for 5000 pounds? Call me confused. I just assume all of this stuff should be tested and approved.

[PWRider]

I don't see where 5000lb comes from. Manual clearly shows using hook for doubling winch pull hence at least 12000lb load. Not using for towing IMHO is more liability issue than anything.

[TwinStick]

Yeah, i don't think that is the actual rating, maybe it is a "lets be safe for liability lawsuits" rating. I had all 4 of my trucks tires off the ground during one winching session. Rear of truck was strapped to a tree. Front of truck had a 3/8" grade 70 chain to each towhook, & a snatchblock on the tree stump side. Clevis's were used on each towhook, the chain around tree stump, the rear hitch & the tree saver strap in the rear. At that time, i used every piece of recovery gear i had.

[verdesardog]

I don't see where 5000lb comes from. Manual clearly shows using hook for doubling winch pull hence at least 12000lb load. Not using for towing IMHO is more liability issue than anything.

When winching with a snatch block in a 2:1 (doubled line) configuration there is only half the load on the tow hook and the other half on the winch....The full load is only on the snatch block and snatch block anchor rigging.

[VA_Wagon Man]

Half of the capacity of our winch is 7,500. Dodge has it labeled as12,000. However, 12,000 lb warn winches don't come with a 315:1 gear ratio like our PW has and a 7/16" cable...... The 12,000lb comes with a 261:1 ratio and a 3/8 cable.

Sent from the middle of nowhere.

[PWRider]

Half capacity is just that half capacity. I you are totally stuck winch will pull with max force it can. If it is as most believe 15000 lb then other end of the rope will receive equal amount of force. Physics 101: you can't push the rope, for every action there equal and opposite reaction. 30k lb pull on a tree hence the truck will split in half between tow hook and winch. If you use two blocks (one on the hook) then tow hook will be subject to 30k while winch will always be at 15K. Of course the tree (as well as truck on the other end) will get full blown 45k lb. Etc. One can use 15 blocks if so desired. Resulting total pull pull will always be multiple of winch pull times number of strands of rope between anchor and the load.

[verdesardog]

Half capacity is just that half capacity. I you are totally stuck winch will pull with max force it can. If it is as most believe 15000 lb then other end of the rope will receive equal amount of force. Physics 101: you can't push the rope, for every action there equal and opposite reaction. 30k lb pull on a tree hence the truck will split in half between tow hook and winch. If you use two blocks (one on the hook) then tow hook will be subject to 30k while winch will always be at 15K. Of course the tree (as well as truck on the other end) will get full blown 45k lb. Etc. One can use 15 blocks if so desired. Resulting total pull pull will always be multiple of winch pull times number of strands of rope between anchor and the load.

UH,, my bad you are correct with a 2:1 the line connected to the truck has the same load as the winch....

[AceMan]

Very educational discussion.

[VA_Wagon Man]

Very educational discussion.

Yup, what he said ^

Sent from the middle of nowhere.